Regan Brown
The axillary fuel tank, also known as the Space Shuttle External Tank (ET), is an essential component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle. It contains liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer, supplying them under pressure to the three main engines during lift-off and ascent. The ET is jettisoned shortly after the main engine cut-off, and while it has always been discarded, there have been proposals to reuse them in orbit for various purposes. While auxiliary fuel tanks are also available for vehicles like pickup trucks, the discussion here focuses specifically on the auxiliary fuel tank of the Space Shuttle, highlighting its unique role in space exploration.
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What You'll Learn
- The Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) contained liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer
- Erroneous readings from fuel depletion sensors delayed several shuttle launch attempts
- The ET was jettisoned just over 10 seconds after the main engine cut-off
- The ET could have been reused in orbit for research or as rocket fuel
- The ET's foam composition has been scrutinized following the Columbia shuttle disaster
The Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) contained liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer
The Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) was an important component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle. It contained liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer, supplying them under pressure to the three RS-25 main engines during lift-off and ascent. The ET was the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle when loaded.
The ET played a critical role in ensuring the success of the Space Shuttle missions. It provided the necessary fuel and oxidizer to power the shuttle's engines, enabling it to achieve lift-off and ascend to its intended trajectory. Without the ET, the Space Shuttle would not have had the necessary propulsion to reach space.
The ET had a complex design and featured various components. It consisted of three major parts: the aft liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank, which made up the largest portion of the ET; the liquid oxygen (LOX) tank, which played a crucial role in engine combustion; and the associated hardware that facilitated the storage and transfer of these propellants.
The liquid hydrogen fuel in the ET was stored in the aft section, known for its very low density. This fuel was essential for the Space Shuttle's propulsion system, providing the energy required for space travel. On the other hand, the liquid oxygen oxidizer was stored in a separate tank and played a vital role in the combustion process within the engines.
The ET also featured propellant-depletion sensors, with four sensors dedicated to fuel and four to oxidizer levels. These sensors were crucial for ensuring the safe operation of the Space Shuttle's engines. Additionally, the ET had a vent and relief valve system at the forward end of each propellant tank, facilitating prelaunch venting and managing pressure during flight.
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Erroneous readings from fuel depletion sensors delayed several shuttle launch attempts
The Space Shuttle external tank (ET) is a crucial component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle, housing the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer required for the journey. However, erroneous readings from fuel depletion sensors, also known as engine cutoff (ECO) sensors, have occasionally posed challenges, leading to delays in shuttle launch attempts.
On July 13, 2005, NASA's first post-Columbia mission, STS-114 aboard Discovery, encountered issues with ECO sensors, resulting in a launch delay. Similar problems were identified during a fueling test in April 2005. These sensors are essential for determining fuel levels and ensuring the safe operation of the shuttle. In the STS-114 incident, two out of four hydrogen sensors malfunctioned during standard testing, resulting in a launch postponement.
Engineers worked to resolve the issue, and the orbiter successfully launched 13 days later. NASA's shuttle program manager, Wayne Hale, acknowledged the significance of addressing these sensor issues, and the launch of the shuttle Discovery on its STS-121 mission was rescheduled for no earlier than July 1. This delay allowed time for the replacement of all four liquid hydrogen fuel ECO sensors in Discovery's External Tank-119 (ET-119).
In December 2007, a tanking test revealed that the erroneous readings were due to a fault in a wiring connector rather than sensor failure. This discovery provided valuable insights into the root cause of the issue. Similar glitches had delayed several shuttle flights, including STS-122, where faulty readings in two of the four hydrogen fuel gauge sensors prevented the launch of Atlantis from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. NASA's flight rules mandate the requirement of three operational sensors for launch.
The impact of these sensor glitches on shuttle launches highlights the critical nature of fuel monitoring systems in space missions. Erroneous readings can lead to launch delays, as engineers work to identify and rectify the issues to ensure the safety and success of the mission. These incidents underscore the meticulousness required in space exploration, where even a minor glitch can have significant repercussions.
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The ET was jettisoned just over 10 seconds after the main engine cut-off
The Space Shuttle external tank (ET) is a crucial component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle, housing liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer. During lift-off, it supplies fuel and oxidizer to the three RS-25 main engines, ensuring the shuttle's propulsion.
The ET plays a critical role in the shuttle's ascent, and its timely jettisoning is essential for mission success. Just over ten seconds after the main engine cut-off (MECO), the ET is jettisoned, marking a significant milestone in the shuttle's journey. This jettisoning process is carefully orchestrated to ensure the shuttle's safety and the mission's overall success.
The ET is not designed for reuse and follows a different trajectory than the Solid Rocket Boosters. It breaks up before impact in the Indian Ocean or the Pacific Ocean, away from shipping lanes, and is not recovered. This one-time use ensures that the ET can provide the necessary fuel and oxidizer for the shuttle's ascent without the need for retrieval and refurbishment.
The ET is the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle when loaded. Its size and weight are essential for the shuttle's performance, allowing it to carry the required fuel and oxidizer quantities. The ET consists of three main components: the aft liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank, the liquid oxygen (LOx) tank, and the intertank structure that separates them.
The jettisoning of the ET just over ten seconds after MECO is a well-timed maneuver that contributes to the overall efficiency of the mission. This process is carefully managed to ensure the shuttle's stability and trajectory. The ET's separation allows the shuttle to continue its journey with precision, marking a critical step in the complex sequence of events that make space exploration possible.
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The ET could have been reused in orbit for research or as rocket fuel
The Space Shuttle external tank (ET) was an integral component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle, housing the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer. During lift-off, it supplied fuel to the three RS-25 main engines before being jettisoned. While the Solid Rocket Boosters of the Space Shuttle were reused, the external tanks were not, and they were always discarded.
Despite this, there were ideas and proposals to reuse the external tanks in orbit. One suggestion was to incorporate them into a space station, providing additional living or research space. Alternatively, the tanks could have been repurposed as rocket fuel tanks for interplanetary missions, such as expeditions to Mars. The tanks could also have served as raw materials for orbiting factories or as cargo carriers for bulky payloads.
In 1990, there was a proposal to use the external tank as a lunar habitat or an orbital station, but this plan never materialized. The ET's weight was reduced over time, which increased the cargo-carrying capacity of the Space Shuttle. The last 66,000-pound external tank, ET-94, was transported to Los Angeles in 2016 and was studied extensively by the Columbia Accident Investigation Board.
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The ET's foam composition has been scrutinized following the Columbia shuttle disaster
On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it re-entered the atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts on board. The disaster was caused by a piece of insulating foam that broke loose from the external propellant tank, striking the thermal protection system tiles on the orbiter's left wing. This caused damage that allowed hot gases to penetrate the tile section during re-entry, melting major structural elements of the wing, which eventually collapsed.
The external tank (ET) is a critical component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle, supplying fuel and oxidizer to the main engines during lift-off and ascent. It is covered in insulating foam to maintain the extremely low temperatures of the liquid hydrogen and oxygen inside and prevent ice formation on the exterior. The ET is jettisoned shortly after main engine cut-off and breaks apart upon re-entry, with pieces landing in the ocean.
Following the Columbia disaster, the ET's foam composition came under intense scrutiny. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) conducted an in-depth study of the ET-94 tank, dissecting foam samples to understand their behaviour. It was found that the external fuel tank of Columbia, designated ET-93, had been constructed with BX-250 closeout foam, which used CFC-11 as a blowing agent instead of the newer HCFC 141b. This choice of foam and its application were identified as contributing factors to the foam shedding issue.
The CAIB's report also criticised NASA's organisational culture, noting that detrimental cultural traits and practices had been allowed to develop, impacting safety. The issue with foam shedding had been known for years, yet it was minimised and allowed to persist, leading to intense scrutiny of NASA in Congress and the media following the disaster. The investigation and its findings had far-reaching consequences for NASA, leading to a suspension of space shuttle flights and ultimately, the retirement of the space shuttle fleet in 2011.
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Frequently asked questions
An axillary fuel tank is an additional fuel tank that can be installed in vehicles to extend their driving range. These tanks are typically designed to seamlessly integrate with the vehicle and can provide convenience and peace of mind on the road.
No, axillary fuel tanks are not exclusive to shuttles. They can be installed in various vehicles, such as pickup trucks, to increase their fuel capacity and reduce the need for frequent refuelling stops.
The axillary fuel tank, also known as the external fuel tank or ET, is an essential component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle. It contains liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer, supplying them under pressure to the shuttle's main engines during lift-off and ascent.
Yes, there have been different versions of the axillary fuel tank for the shuttle. The initial version was a lightweight tank used to propel the shuttle into low-Earth orbit. Later, a super-lightweight tank was developed, which could carry more cargo to the International Space Station.
