Rajan Wilcox
The Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) is the component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle that contains the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer. During lift-off and ascent, it supplies fuel and oxidizer under pressure to the three RS-25 main engines in the orbiter. The RS-25 engines, also known as the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), are mounted at the stern of the orbiter and are used for propulsion. The ET is the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle and is not reused after each mission. So, to answer the question, yes, there are engines under the space shuttle fuel tank.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Space Shuttle external tank (ET) |
| Purpose | To contain liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer |
| Engine | RS-25, also known as the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) |
| Engine Type | Liquid-fuel cryogenic rocket engine |
| Engine Thrust | 1,859 kN (418,000 lbf) at liftoff |
| Engine Weight | Approximately 3.5 tonnes (7,700 pounds) |
| Engine Upgrade | Upgrades have been made to improve thrust, reliability, safety, and maintenance load |
| Engine Control | The Main Engine Controller (MEC) operates hydraulically actuated propellant valves to control engine output |
| Engine Cooling | The engine controller regulates the amount of gaseous hydrogen bypassing the nozzle coolant loop to control temperature |
| Engine Shutdown | The engine's helium supply system is used for emergency shutdown and to actuate engine valves |
| Fuel Sensors | Eight propellant-depletion sensors, four each for fuel and oxidizer |
| Fuel Tanks | Spherical tanks positioned at the perimeter of the launch pad |
| Fuel Filling | Filled through insulated lines from spherical tanks into the Orbiter through Tail Service Masts |
| Fuel Colour | Originally white, but later changed to orange due to the colour of spray-on foam insulation |
| Fuel Weight Reduction | NASA worked to reduce the weight of the ET, resulting in an increase in cargo-carrying capability |
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What You'll Learn
- The Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) is the RS-25, a liquid-fuel cryogenic rocket engine
- The RS-25 engines are mounted at the stern of the orbiter, with fuel drawn from the external tank
- The ET was the heaviest and largest element of the Space Shuttle
- The ET was not reused and broke up before impact in the ocean
- The ET's orange colour is due to the colour of the spray-on foam insulation
The Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) is the RS-25, a liquid-fuel cryogenic rocket engine
The RS-25 engine consists of pumps, valves, and other components working in concert to produce thrust. Fuel (liquid hydrogen) and oxidizer (liquid oxygen) from the Space Shuttle's external tank entered the orbiter at the umbilical disconnect valves and from there flowed through the orbiter's main propulsion system (MPS) feed lines. The RS-25 engine made use of a new Rocketdyne-developed copper-zirconium alloy (called NARloy-Z) and was first tested in February 1971. The engine was then used for the first time on April 12, 1981, for the STS-1 mission.
The Space Shuttle used a cluster of three RS-25 engines mounted at the stern of the orbiter, with fuel drawn from the external tank. The engines were used for propulsion throughout the spacecraft ascent, with total thrust increased by two solid rocket boosters and the orbiter's two AJ10 orbital maneuvering system engines. The RS-25 has undergone upgrades over its operational history to improve the engine's thrust, reliability, safety, and maintenance load.
Following each flight, the RS-25 engines were removed from the orbiter, inspected, refurbished, and then reused on another mission. Four RS-25 engines are installed on each Space Launch System, housed in the engine section at the base of the core stage, and expended after use. The first four Space Launch System flights use modernized and refurbished engines built for the Space Shuttle program.
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The RS-25 engines are mounted at the stern of the orbiter, with fuel drawn from the external tank
The Space Shuttle used a cluster of three RS-25 engines, also known as the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME). These engines were mounted at the stern of the orbiter and drew fuel from the external tank. The RS-25 engines were used for propulsion throughout the spacecraft's ascent. The fuel used by the RS-25 engines was liquid hydrogen, and the oxidizer was liquid oxygen. These propellants entered the orbiter at the umbilical disconnect valves and then flowed through the orbiter's main propulsion system (MPS) feed lines.
The RS-25 engines were an essential component of the Space Shuttle's propulsion system, providing the thrust necessary for the spacecraft's ascent. The engines were mounted at the stern of the orbiter, which allowed for optimal thrust generation during ascent. The external tank provided the fuel and oxidizer necessary for the RS-25 engines to operate.
The external tank (ET) was the largest and heaviest component of the Space Shuttle when loaded. It consisted of three major components, including the aft liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank, which was the largest part. The ET supplied fuel and oxidizer to the RS-25 engines during lift-off and ascent. The ET was jettisoned just over 10 seconds after main engine cut-off (MECO) and re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. Unlike solid rocket boosters, external tanks were not reused and broke up before impact in the ocean.
The RS-25 engines themselves were also reused. Following each flight, the engines were removed from the orbiter, inspected, refurbished, and then flown on another mission. The RS-25 engine consists of pumps, valves, and other components working together to produce thrust. The engine has undergone upgrades over its operational history to improve thrust, reliability, safety, and maintenance load.
The RS-25 engines played a critical role in the Space Shuttle's propulsion system, and their placement at the stern of the orbiter, along with the fuel drawn from the external tank, contributed to the successful ascent of the spacecraft.
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The ET was the heaviest and largest element of the Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a retired, partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated from 1981 to 2011 by NASA. The Space Shuttle launch vehicle consisted of the Orbiter Vehicle (OV), external tank (ET), and two solid rocket boosters (SRBs). The ET was the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle when loaded.
The ET was an expendable component that contained liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer. It supplied the fuel and oxidizer under pressure to the three RS-25 main engines in the orbiter during lift-off and ascent. The RS-25 engines were mounted at the stern of the orbiter and used for propulsion, with total thrust increased by the two SRBs and the orbiter's two AJ10 orbital maneuvering system engines. The RS-25 engines were removed, inspected, refurbished, and reused after each flight.
The ET was jettisoned just over 10 seconds after the main engine cut-off and it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. Unlike the SRBs, the ET was not reused. It broke up before impact in the ocean and was not recovered. The ET was the "backbone" of the shuttle during launch, providing structural support and attachment for the SRBs and orbiter. It was connected to each SRB at forward and aft attachment points and to the orbiter at forward and aft bipods. The ET also had electrical umbilicals that carried electrical power, fluids, gases, and signals between the orbiter and the SRBs.
Over the years, NASA worked to reduce the weight of the ET to increase overall efficiency and cargo-carrying capability. The first two tanks, used for STS-1 and STS-2, were painted white to protect them from ultraviolet light during the extended time on the launch pad. However, it was later determined that the paint did not actually protect the tanks, and subsequent tanks were left unpainted to save weight. The Super Lightweight Tank (SLWT), introduced in 1998, provided a significant reduction in weight, allowing the Orbiter to carry more payload.
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The ET was not reused and broke up before impact in the ocean
The Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) was an essential component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle, supplying fuel and oxidizer to the three RS-25 main engines. However, unlike the Solid Rocket Boosters, the ET was designed to be jettisoned after use and was not reused.
The ET played a critical role during lift-off and ascent, providing fuel and oxidizer under pressure to the engines. About ten seconds after the main engine cut off, the ET was jettisoned and re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. During this descent, the ET broke up before reaching the ocean, landing in either the Indian or Pacific Ocean, away from shipping lanes.
The ET was the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle when loaded. It consisted of three main components: the forward liquid oxygen (LO2) tank, the aft liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank, and the interconnecting structure that housed the pressurization system. While the LH2 tank was the largest component, it was relatively light due to liquid hydrogen's low density.
Over the years, there were plans and concepts for reusing the ET, such as incorporating it into a space station or using it as a cargo carrier. However, these ideas were not implemented, and the ET remained a single-use component.
The ET's orange colour is due to the spray-on foam insulation. Interestingly, the first two tanks used for STS-1 and STS-2 were painted white to protect them from ultraviolet light during their extended time on the launch pad before launch. However, it was later determined that painting the ET white was not necessary for protection and added weight, so subsequent tanks were left with their natural orange colour.
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The ET's orange colour is due to the colour of the spray-on foam insulation
The Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) is the component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle that contains liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer. The ET is the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle when loaded. The ET's orange colour is due to the colour of the spray-on foam insulation.
The insulation used on the ET is a polyurethane-type foam composed of five primary ingredients: polymeric isocyanate, a flame retardant, a surfactant, a blowing agent, and a catalyst. This foam is applied through a process called spray-on foam insulation (SOFI). The orange colour of the ET's insulation is a result of the chemical reaction that occurs during the foam's creation. This colour change is observable evidence of the chemical reaction taking place.
The ET's orange colour serves a functional purpose as well. The orange colour is due to the spray-on foam insulation, which helps to protect the tank from ultraviolet light. Initially, the first two tanks used for STS-1 and STS-2 were painted white to shield them from ultraviolet light during their extended time on the launch pad prior to launch. However, it was later determined that the paint did not provide significant protection, and subsequent tanks were left with the orange colour of the spray-on foam insulation.
The orange colour of the ET's insulation is not permanent and may change over time. Spray foam insulation can yellow when exposed to sunlight or UV rays. This colour change is a natural occurrence due to the chemical reaction that creates the foam. While the orange colour of the ET's insulation is not simply a matter of manufacturer branding or preference, it is worth noting that the colour of insulation can vary depending on the manufacturer's choice of binding agents and resins.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Space Shuttle used a cluster of three RS-25 engines, also known as the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), mounted at the stern of the orbiter, with fuel drawn from the external tank.
The RS-25 is a liquid-fuel cryogenic rocket engine that burns cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants, with each engine producing 1,859 kN (418,000 lbf) thrust at liftoff.
The ET is the component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle that contains the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer. It is the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle when loaded.
