The Discovery orbiter approaches the ISS on STS-121

The Space Shuttle Orbiter is the orbital vehicle of the Space Shuttle. It is a reusable winged "spaceplane", a mixture of rocket, spacecraft, and aircraft. The orbiter launches crew and payload into Earth orbit, performing on-orbit operations, then re-enters the atmosphere and lands like a glider to return the crew and any payload on board. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 530 pixelsFull resolution (3032 × 2007 pixel, file size: 4. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 530 pixelsFull resolution (3032 × 2007 pixel, file size: 4. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of three remaining spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), along with Atlantis and Endeavour. ... “ISS” redirects here. ... This article is becoming very long. ... NASAs Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States governments current manned launch vehicle. ... A spaceplane is a rocket plane designed to pass the edge of space. ... Earth orbit is an orbit around the planet Earth. ... Gliders or Sailplanes are heavier-than-air aircraft primarily intended for unpowered flight. ...

The orbiter carries most of the main propulsion system for reusable purpose, but the propellant for the three main engines is fed by an external Tank, and solid rocket boosters help to propel it during the first two minutes of ascent. The Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) on its way to the Vehicle Assembly Building. ... The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster (SRB) is the rocket that provides 83% of liftoff thrust for the Space Shuttle. ...

Description

The Orbiter resembles an aircraft with double-delta wings, swept 81° at the inner leading edge and 45° at the outer leading edge. Its vertical stabilizer's leading edge is swept back at a 45° angle. The four elevons, mounted at the trailing edge of the wings, and the rudder/speed brake, attached at the trailing edge of the stabilizer, with the body flap, control the Orbiter during descent and landing. It is roughly the size of a McDonnell Douglass DC-9. The delta-wing is a wing planform in the form of a triangle. ... Elevons at the wing trailing edge are used for pitch and roll control of the F-117A Nighthawk ( best seen by clicking on the picture). ... Stern-mounted steering oar of an Egyptian riverboat depicted in the Tomb of Menna (c. ... The Douglas DC-9 is a twin-engined jet airliner, first manufactured in 1965 and, in much modified form and under a succession of different names, still in production today as the Boeing 717. ...

The Orbiter's crew cabin consists of three levels: the flight deck, the mid-deck, and the utility area. The upper-most is the flight deck which seats the commander and pilot, with two mission specialists behind them. The mid-deck, which is below the flight deck, has three more seats for the rest of the crew members.

Orbital Vehicle

The galley, toilet, sleep locations, storage lockers, and the side hatch for entering/exiting the vehicle are also located on the mid-deck, as is the airlock hatch. The airlock has another hatch into the payload bay. It allows two astronauts, wearing their Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) space suits, to depressurize before a space walk. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (640x960, 126 KB) Summary Space Shuttle Orbital Vehicle Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (640x960, 126 KB) Summary Space Shuttle Orbital Vehicle Licensing I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... A glovebox for handling air-sensitive substances. ... NASA portrait of American Astronaut Thomas Akers, wearing a Shuttle EMU. The Space Shuttle/International Space Station Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) is an independent anthropomorphic system that provides environmental protection, mobility, life support, and communications for a Shuttle or ISS crew member to perform extra-vehicular activity (EVA) in earth... Astronaut Bruce McCandless on an untethered EVA Extra-vehicular activity (EVA) is work done by an astronaut away from the Earth and outside of his or her spacecraft. ...

The Orbiter has a large 60 by 15 ft (18 m by 4.6 m) payload bay, filling most of the midfuselage. The payload bay doors have heat radiators mounted on their inner surfaces, and so are kept open for thermal control while the Shuttle is in orbit. Thermal control is also maintained by adjusting the orientation of the Shuttle relative to Earth and Sun. Inside the payload bay is the Remote Manipulator System, also known as the Canadarm, a robot arm used to retrieve and deploy payloads. Until the loss of Columbia, the Canadarm had been used only on those missions where it was needed. Since the arm is a crucial part of the Thermal Protection Inspection procedures now required for Shuttle flights, it will probably be included on all future flights.^{[citation needed]} Three fuel cells are located under the payload bay area. They consume onboard liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen storages to generate all the electrical power for the vehicle from launch to landing. Thermal radiation is electromagnetic radiation from an object that is simply caused by its temperature. ... View of the Canadarm during a Space Shuttle mission The Remote Manipulator System (RMS) on the Space Shuttle, also known as the Canadarm, is an electromechanical arm that maneuvers a payload from the payload bay of the space shuttle orbiter to its deployment position and then releases it. ... The Remote Manipulator System (RMS) on the Space Shuttle, also known as the Canadarm, is an electromechanical arm that maneuvers a payload from the payload bay of the space shuttle orbiter to its deployment position and then releases it. ... The space shuttle thermal protection system (TPS) is the barrier that protects the space shuttle orbiter during the searing 1649 °C (3000 °F) heat of atmospheric reentry. ... A fuel cell is an electrochemical device similar to a battery, but differing from the latter in that it is designed for continuous replenishment of the reactants consumed; i. ...

Three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) are mounted on the Orbiter's aft fuselage in a triangular pattern. The three engines can swivel 10.5 degrees up and down and 8.5 degrees from side to side during ascent to change the direction of their thrust and steer the Shuttle as well as push. The aft fuselage also houses three auxiliary power units. The APUs are hydrazine-fueled turbopumps to provide hydraulic pressure for the hydraulic system, which gimbals the three main engines, controls aerosurfaces, and deploys the landing gears. Space Shuttle Main Engine block The Space Shuttle orbiter has three main engines. ... Hydrazine should not be confused with Hydergine (Ergoloid mesylates) an ergot alkaloid Hydrazine is the chemical compound with formula N2H4, widely used in chemical synthesis. ...

The Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) provides orbital maneuvers, including insertion, circularization, transfer, rendezvous, abort to orbit, and abort once around. An OMS pod detached from a Shuttle for maintenance. ... A Space Shuttle abort is an emergency procedure due to equipment failure on NASAs Space Shuttle, most commonly during ascent. ...

The Reaction Control System (RCS) provides attitude control and translation along the pitch, roll, and yaw axes during the flight phases of orbit insertion, orbit, and re-entry. A reaction control system (abbreviated RCS) is a subsystem of a spacecraft. ... Aircraft attitude is used to mean two closely related aspects of the situation of an aircraft in flight. ...

The Thermal Protection System (TPS) covers the outside of the Orbiter, protecting it from the cold soak of -121 °C (-250 °F) in space to the 1649 °C (3000 °F) heat of re-entry. The space shuttle thermal protection system (TPS) is the barrier that protects the space shuttle orbiter during the searing 1649 °C (3000 °F) heat of atmospheric reentry. ...

The orbiter structure is made primarily from aluminium alloy, although the engine thrust structure is made from titanium alloy. General Name, Symbol, Number aluminium, Al, 13 Chemical series poor metals Group, Period, Block 13, 3, p Appearance silvery Standard atomic weight 26. ... An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal, and where the resulting material has metallic properties. ... General Name, symbol, number titanium, Ti, 22 Chemical series transition metals Group, period, block 4, 4, d Appearance silvery metallic Standard atomic weight 47. ...

Specifications

(for Endeavour, OV-105) Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ...

• Length: 122.17 ft (37.24 m)
• Wingspan: 78.06 ft (23.79 m)
• Height: 58.58 ft (17.25 m)
• Empty Weight: 151,205 lb (68,586.6 kg)
• Gross Liftoff Weight: 240,000 lb (109,000 kg)
• Maximum Landing Weight: 230,000 lb (104,000 kg)
• Main Engines: Three Rocketdyne Block 2 A SSMEs, each with a sea level thrust of 393,800 lbf (178,624 kgf / 1.75MN)
• Maximum Payload: 55,250 lb (25,061.4 kg)
• Payload Bay dimensions: 15 ft by 60 ft (4.6 m by 18.3 m)
• Operational Altitude: 100 to 520 nmi (185 to 1,000 km)
• Speed: 25,404 ft/s (7,743 m/s, 27,875 km/h, 17,321 mph)
• Crossrange: 1,085 nautical miles (2,009.4 km)
• Crew: 6-7 (Commander, Pilot, 4-5 Mission Specialists and/or Payload Specialists), 2 (Commander and Pilot) for minimum.

Fleet

Shuttle launch profiles. From left to right: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and Endeavour.

Individual Orbiters are both named, in a manner similar to ships, and numbered, using the NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation system. While all Orbiters are externally very similar, they have minor internal differences; new equipment is fitted on a rotating basis as they are maintained, and the newer Orbiters tend to be structurally lighter. Download high resolution version (1024x455, 87 KB)Launches of Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, Endeavour Shuttles I created this photo using Paint Shop Pro. ... Download high resolution version (1024x455, 87 KB)Launches of Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, Endeavour Shuttles I created this photo using Paint Shop Pro. ... Space Shuttle Challenger (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was NASAs second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of three remaining spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), along with Atlantis and Endeavour. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ... Each NASA space shuttle designation is composed of a prefix and suffix separated by a dash. ...

Challenger while in service as structural test article STA-099.

• Enterprise was a prototype designed to test Space Shuttle behavior in atmospheric flight. It performed various performance tests from February 12, 1977 to October 26, 1977. Several times from the late 1970's to the mid-1980's NASA considered retrofitting it for space flight but because of a redesign during the Columbia's construction it was deemed too costly. As a prototype Space Shuttle, rocket engines or a proper heat shield were never installed. It is currently on display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Airport, where it is the centerpiece of the space flight collection.
• Columbia first launched on April 12, 1981. On February 1, 2003, Columbia disintegrated during re-entry on its 28th mission.
• Challenger first launched on April 4, 1983. On January 28, 1986 it broke up 73 seconds after the launch of its 10th mission.
• Discovery first launched on August 30, 1984. It has flown 33 missions and is still operational today. It is due to be retired in 2010.
• Atlantis first launched on October 3, 1985. It has flown 26 missions and is still operational today. It is scheduled to be retired in 2010.
• Endeavour first launched on May 7, 1992. It has flown 19 missions and is still operational today. It is due to be retired in 2010.

In addition to the test articles and Orbiters produced for use in the Shuttle program, there are also various mockups on display throughout the world: The Space Shuttle Orbiter Pathfinder (honorary Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-098) is a Space Shuttle simulator made of steel and wood. ... Main Propulsion Test Article being lifted onto its test stand in 1977. ... Space Shuttle Challenger (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was NASAs second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service. ... is the 28th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... The Space Shuttle Enterprise (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-101) was the first Space Shuttle built for NASA. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of space operations; its purpose was to perform test flights in the atmosphere. ... is the 32nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of three remaining spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), along with Atlantis and Endeavour. ... is the 242nd day of the year (243rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar). ... The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an agency of the United States government, responsible for the nations public space program. ... Wikinews has a related story: Shuttle launch called off due to faulty fuel tank sensor STS-114 is the Return to Flight Space Shuttle mission originally scheduled for launch at 15:51 EDT, July 13, 2005. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... is the 276th day of the year (277th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar). ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ... is the 127th day of the year (128th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... Image File history File links Space_Shuttle_Challenger_as_STA-099. ... Image File history File links Space_Shuttle_Challenger_as_STA-099. ... The Space Shuttle Enterprise (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-101) was the first Space Shuttle built for NASA. It was constructed without engines or a functional heat shield, and was therefore not capable of space operations; its purpose was to perform test flights in the atmosphere. ... The Smithsonian Institution Building or Castle on the National Mall serves as the Institutions headquarters. ... National Air and Space Museum exterior The National Air and Space Museum (NASM) of the Smithsonian Institution is a museum in Washington, D.C., United States, and is the most popular of the Smithsonian museums. ... Entrance to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Aerial view of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM)s annex at Washington Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Virginia. ... Aerial photo Washington Dulles International Airport (IATA airport code IAD, ICAO airport code KIAD) serves the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. ... Space Shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first spaceworthy space shuttle in NASAs orbital fleet. ... The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred on February 1, 2003, when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas during re-entry into the Earths atmosphere, shortly before concluding its 28th mission, STS-107. ... Space Shuttle Challenger (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was NASAs second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service. ... The iconic image of Space Shuttle Challengers smoke plume after its breakup 73 seconds after launch. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of three remaining spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), along with Atlantis and Endeavour. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ...

• Space Shuttle Explorer, a full scale replica of an Orbiter at the Kennedy Space Center visitor's complex
• Space Shuttle Adventure, a full scale mockup of an Orbiter mid-deck and flight deck at Space Center Houston
• Space Shuttle America, a full-scale mockup of the actual space shuttle for a theme park attraction
• Space Shuttle Pathfinder, a full-scale mockup of the actual space shuttle displayed at Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama

The Space Shuttle Explorer is a full-scale replica of a Space Shuttle. ... Merritt Island and Kennedy Space Center (shown in white). ... Space Center Houston logo Space Center Houston, located in Houston, Texas, is the official visitors center of the Johnson Space Center. ... Space Shuttle America viewed from Sky Trek Tower Space Shuttle America (also known as Space Shuttle America - The Next Century) is a motion simulator ride at Six Flags Great America that opened in 1994. ... The Space Shuttle Orbiter Pathfinder (honorary Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-098) is a Space Shuttle simulator made of steel and wood. ...

Flight statistics

(as of 21 August 2007) A mile is a unit of length, usually used to measure distance, in a number of different systems, including Imperial units, United States customary units and Norwegian/Swedish mil. ... km redirects here. ... Space Shuttle Columbia (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first spaceworthy space shuttle in NASAs orbital fleet. ... Space Shuttle Challenger (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was NASAs second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service. ... Space Shuttle Discovery (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of three remaining spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), along with Atlantis and Endeavour. ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-104) is one of the fleet of space shuttles belonging to the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ... Space Shuttle Orbiter Endeavour (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105), is the fifth and final operational NASA space shuttle. ... is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era. ...

* STS-80, a flight during November 1996. STS-80 is a Space Shuttle program mission. ...

** Information for STS-117 not yet available, last updated 22 December 2006 December 22 is the 356th day of the year (357th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays full 2006 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

† No longer in service (Destroyed)

See also

• Space Shuttle program
• Space Shuttle
• Shuttle Buran
• Shuttle SRB
• Spaceplane

NASAs Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States governments current manned launch vehicle. ... NASAs Space Shuttle, officially called Space Transportation System (STS), is the United States governments current manned launch vehicle. ... The Shuttle Buran, serial number 11F35 K1, was the only space shuttle to come out of the Shuttle Buran program that was completed. ... NASA Image of the final solid rocket booster (right) being mated to a Delta II rocket (blue). ... A spaceplane is a rocket plane designed to pass the edge of space. ...

References

External links

• Orbiter Vehicles

v • d • e Space Shuttle program
Main articles	Space Shuttle · Space Shuttle program
Components	Orbiter · SRB · External Tank · SSME · OMS
Orbiters	Enterprise · Columbia · Challenger · Discovery · Atlantis · Endeavour
Launch sites	Kennedy Space Center LC-39 · Vandenberg Air Force Base · SLC-6
Developments	Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle · Shuttle-C · Ares I · Ares V
Testing	Pathfinder · MPTA · MPTA-ET
Other articles	Missions (cancelled) · Decision to build · Crews · Abort modes · Space shuttles in fiction · Crawler-transporter · Shuttle Carrier Aircraft · Space Shuttle America (motion simulator ride) · Shuttle Mockup Explorer

v • d • e  Space Shuttles
	US Space Shuttle program Enterprise (OV-101, atmospheric tests) Pathfinder (OV-098, ground tests) Columbia (OV-102, destroyed 2003) Challenger (OV-099, destroyed 1986) Discovery (OV-103, active) Atlantis (OV-104, active) Endeavour (OV-105, active)	Soviet Buran program OK-GLI (Buran Analog BST-02, aerotester) Buran (Shuttle 1.01, destroyed 2002) Ptichka (Shuttle 1.02, 95–97% completed) Baikal (Shuttle 2.01, incomplete) Shuttle 2.02 (partially dismantled) Shuttle 2.03 (dismantled)