Ameer Randolph
The external fuel tank, also known as the ET, is the backbone of the shuttle during launch, providing structural support for attachment with the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) and the orbiter. The ET is the largest element of the Space Shuttle and, when loaded, it is also the heaviest. The tanks are never really empty at the main engine cut-off and they have unusable residual fuel that starts to vaporize and vent. The ET is jettisoned just over 10 seconds after the main engine cut-off and it re-enters the Earth's atmosphere, typically over the Indian Ocean. Unlike the Solid Rocket Boosters, the external tanks are not reused and break up before impact.
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What You'll Learn
The external tank breaks apart and burns up in the Earth's atmosphere
The external tank, or 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 the fuel and oxidizer under pressure to the three RS-25 main engines in the orbiter. The ET is jettisoned just over 10 seconds after the main engine cut-off and re-enters the Earth's atmosphere.
Unlike the Solid Rocket Boosters, the external tanks are not re-used. They break up before impact, either in the Indian Ocean or the Pacific Ocean, depending on the launch trajectory. The tanks are aimed to fall away from shipping lanes. The ET is the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle. It is made of lightweight aluminum, which burns up very well, but some of its heavier components survive and strike the ocean.
The external tank is the backbone of the shuttle during launch, providing structural support for attachment with the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters and the orbiter. Although the tanks are always discarded, it may have been possible to reuse them in orbit. Plans for reuse included incorporating the tanks into a space station as extra living or research space, or as rocket fuel tanks for interplanetary missions.
The tanks are never completely empty at the main engine cut-off. They contain unusable residual fuel that starts to vaporize and vent. During re-entry, the tank heats up and starts to break apart due to the lack of protection. The remaining fuel and oxidizer mix, resulting in rapid combustion, which breaks the tank into smaller pieces that burn up before reaching the Earth's surface.
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The tank is not recovered or reused
The external tank, also known as the ET, is not recovered or reused. The ET is the largest element of the Space Shuttle and when loaded, it is also the heaviest. The ET is the "backbone" of the shuttle during launch, providing structural support for attachment with the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) and the orbiter. It is connected to the SRBs and the orbiter at multiple attachment points.
The ET is jettisoned just over 10 seconds after the main engine cut-off (MECO) and re-enters the Earth's atmosphere. Due to the heat during re-entry, the tank starts to break apart, and the remaining fuel and oxidizer mix, resulting in rapid combustion. This breaks the tank into smaller pieces that are easily burned up before reaching the Earth's surface. The ET typically breaks up over the Indian Ocean, away from shipping lanes, although the Pacific Ocean is also a possible impact site.
Although the external tanks are always discarded, there have been ideas proposed for their potential reuse. These include incorporating them into a space station as extra living or research space, or using them as rocket fuel tanks for interplanetary missions. However, implementing these ideas would involve significant challenges, such as the need for a large, heavy heat shield and strengthening to ensure the tank survives re-entry and splashdown.
The ET is composed of lightweight aluminum, which burns up well during re-entry. However, some heavier components can survive and strike the ocean. The tanks are not completely empty at MECO, as they contain residual fuel that starts to vaporize and vent. This residual fuel can cause combustion during re-entry, contributing to the break-up of the tank.
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Residual fuel remains in the tank
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 ET is jettisoned just over 10 seconds after the main engine cut-off (MECO) and re-enters the Earth's atmosphere. The tanks are never completely empty at MECO; they have unusable residual fuel that starts to vaporize and vent. This residual fuel, along with the oxidizer, mixes during re-entry, causing rapid combustion that breaks the tank into smaller pieces. These pieces burn up before reaching the surface, typically over the Indian Ocean, away from shipping lanes.
The ET is not in a stable orbit at MECO, and it breaks up before impact. Most of its structure is made of lightweight aluminum, which burns up easily. However, some of the heavier components survive and strike the ocean. The ET is the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle when loaded. It consists of three major components: the forward liquid oxygen (LOX) tank, the aft liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank, and the interconnecting structure or intertank that separates the two tanks and maintains their structural integrity.
The external tanks are always discarded and never reused. Although it may have been possible to reuse them in orbit, such as incorporating them into a space station or using them as rocket fuel tanks for interplanetary missions, this would have involved carrying more propellant and a heavier tank into orbit, which would not have been feasible or popular. The Solid Rocket Boosters, on the other hand, were reused.
The ET played a critical role during launch as the "backbone" of the shuttle, providing structural support for attachment with the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters and the orbiter. It was connected to each Solid Rocket Booster and the orbiter through forward and aft attachment points and bipods, which also facilitated the transfer of fluids, gases, electrical signals, and power between the ET and the orbiter.
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The tank is the backbone of the shuttle during launch
The external tank, also known as the ET, is the backbone of the shuttle during launch. It provides structural support for attachment with the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) and the orbiter. The tank is connected to each SRB at one forward attachment point and one aft bracket, and to the orbiter at one forward attachment bipod and two aft bipods.
The ET is the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle when loaded. It consists of three major components: the forward liquid oxygen (LOX) tank, the aft liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank, and the intertank that connects them. The forward and aft tanks are made of lightweight aluminum, while the intertank is made of aluminum honeycomb and fiberglass. The ET's orange color comes from the spray-on foam insulation, which was left unpainted beginning with STS-3 to reduce weight.
The ET contains the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer and supplies them under pressure to the three RS-25 main engines in the orbiter during lift-off and ascent. The fuel and oxidizer are monitored by eight propellant-depletion sensors, four each for fuel and oxidizer. The sensors ensure that the engines shut down if any two of them sense a dry condition. The ET also has electrical umbilicals that carry fluids, gases, electrical signals, and power between the tank and the orbiter, as well as external cameras that can transmit video data after separation.
The ET is jettisoned just over 10 seconds after main engine cut-off and re-enters the Earth's atmosphere. It breaks up before impact in the Indian Ocean or the Pacific Ocean, away from shipping lanes, and is not recovered. Although the external tanks are always discarded, it may have been possible to reuse them in orbit, such as for extra living or research space in a space station.
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The tank is made of lightweight aluminium
The external tank, also known as the ET, is a vital component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle. It contains the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer, supplying them under pressure to the RS-25 main engines during lift-off and ascent. The ET is the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle when loaded.
The lightweight nature of the aluminium construction also plays a role in the tank's post-launch fate. After being jettisoned, the tank re-enters the Earth's atmosphere and breaks apart due to the heat, with the aluminium burning up well before impact. This ensures that the tank does not cause any damage upon re-entry, with only some heavier components surviving to strike the ocean.
The use of aluminium in the external tank showcases the importance of selecting materials with specific properties for space applications. Aluminium's unique characteristics, including its low density and high strength, make it a valuable material for constructing vital components like the external fuel tank.
Overall, the choice of lightweight aluminium for the external tank is a testament to the careful consideration and engineering that goes into space missions. The material's properties ensure the tank's functionality during launch and contribute to a safe re-entry process, minimising potential hazards associated with falling debris.
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Frequently asked questions
The external tank (ET) is jettisoned just over 10 seconds after the main engine cuts off. It re-enters the Earth's atmosphere and breaks up before impact in the Indian Ocean or the Pacific Ocean, away from shipping lanes.
The ET is made of lightweight aluminium, which burns up very well. However, some heavier components, such as the fuel and oxidizer, survive and strike the ocean.
No, the external fuel tanks are never reused. They are always discarded after launch.
The residual fuel starts to vaporize and vent after the main engine cut-off. The tanks are never completely empty, and the remaining fuel can cause rapid combustion during re-entry, breaking the tank into smaller pieces that burn up before reaching the Earth's surface.
