Ameer Randolph
In 2010, the production plant responsible for building the space shuttle fleet's giant external fuel tanks shut down. The tanks, which were built by Lockheed Martin for NASA, were used to hold super-chilled liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellant consumed by a shuttle during its ascent into orbit. The tanks were meticulously inspected before launch and carried cameras to show any foam loss events during liftoff. The production shutdown resulted in substantial layoffs at Lockheed, with the number of employees at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans decreasing from over 1,400 to about 600.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Height | 154 feet (47 meters) |
| Width | 28 feet (8.5 meters) |
| Weight (empty) | 59,000 pounds (26,818 kg) |
| Weight (with propellant) | 1.7 million pounds (772,727 kg) |
| Contents | Liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellant |
| Capacity | 535,000 gallons |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Production Location | Michoud Assembly Facility, New Orleans |
| Number Produced | 136 |
| Colour | Rust |
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What You'll Learn
- The fuel tank holds super-chilled liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellant
- The tank is 154 feet tall and weighs 1.7 million pounds when full
- The production plant responsible for building the tanks shut down in 2010
- Foam debris shed during launch damaged the space shuttle Columbia in 2003
- The tank is inspected before launch and carries cameras to monitor foam loss
The fuel tank holds super-chilled liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellant
The fuel tank on a space shuttle holds super-chilled liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellant. These fuel tanks are huge, weighing nearly 1.7 million pounds (772,727 kg) when full and standing at 154 feet (47 meters) tall. They are built by Lockheed Martin at NASA's request and are housed in the space shuttle's external tank. The tanks are meticulously inspected before launch, and cameras are attached to them to monitor any foam loss during liftoff. This is because, in 2003, foam debris shed during the launch of the space shuttle Columbia damaged its heat shield, leading to the loss of the shuttle and its seven-astronaut crew.
The super-chilled liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellant are necessary for the shuttle's 8.5-minute ascent into orbit. Over the years, Lockheed has reduced the weight of the tanks, allowing shuttles to carry more payload. The tanks are also inspected and maintained between flights, with repairs made if necessary. For example, in February 2007, the shuttle Atlantis' tank was damaged by hail while on the launch pad and required repairs.
The production of these fuel tanks has since ceased, with the last tank being used for the space shuttle Endeavour's final launch in February 2011. The tanks were built at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, with a total of 136 tanks produced over the years. The first two shuttle tanks were painted white, but it was later deemed unnecessary.
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The tank is 154 feet tall and weighs 1.7 million pounds when full
The external fuel tank of a space shuttle is an impressive piece of engineering. Standing at 154 feet tall (47 meters) and weighing in at nearly 1.7 million pounds (772,727 kg) when full, it is a true behemoth. Lockheed Martin has been building these rust-colored tanks for NASA since 1973 at the space agency's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The tank's height is equivalent to that of a 15-story building, and its weight is comparable to that of a fully loaded commercial airplane.
The sheer size and weight of the tank are necessary to accommodate the massive amount of fuel required to propel a shuttle into orbit. Each tank holds 535,000 gallons of super-chilled liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellant, which is consumed by the shuttle during its 8.5-minute ascent into orbit. Over the years, Lockheed has made significant strides in slimming down these tanks, allowing shuttles to carry more payload. The first tanks produced weighed about 76,000 pounds (34,545 kg), nearly 20,000 pounds more than the current empty weight of 59,000 pounds (26,818 kg).
The external fuel tank plays a critical role in the space shuttle's mission, providing the necessary fuel for the shuttle's engines to propel it to orbit. Without this massive fuel supply, the shuttle would be unable to achieve the speed and altitude required for orbital insertion. The tank is also instrumental in the shuttle's return journey, as the engines rely on its fuel supply to make the precise maneuvers necessary for a safe re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
The tank's size and weight also present unique challenges for the space shuttle program. Given the tank's immense height, it must be carefully designed to withstand the extreme forces experienced during launch and ascent. Additionally, the weight of the full tank contributes significantly to the overall weight of the space shuttle stack, requiring powerful engines to lift it off the ground and achieve orbit.
Despite their importance, external fuel tanks are not meant to last. Once the fuel is depleted during the shuttle's ascent, the tank is jettisoned from the shuttle and falls back to Earth. The tanks are not designed to withstand re-entry and typically break up into smaller pieces as they plummet towards the Earth's surface. Most tanks end up in the Indian or Pacific Ocean, with some parts occasionally reaching land.
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The production plant responsible for building the tanks shut down in 2010
The production plant responsible for building the space shuttle fuel tanks, Lockheed Martin, shut down in 2010. Lockheed Martin had been constructing the enormous, rust-colored tanks for NASA since 1973 at the space agency's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The tanks, which stand 154 feet tall and weigh nearly 1.7 million pounds when filled with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant, were used to fuel the space shuttle during its ascent into orbit.
Over the years, Lockheed Martin worked to increase safety and reduce the amount of insulating foam covering the shuttle fuel tanks. Foam debris shed during launch had damaged the space shuttle Columbia during its final flight in 2003, resulting in the loss of the shuttle and its crew. As a result, the tanks were modified, meticulously inspected before launch, and carried cameras to monitor any foam loss during liftoff.
The shutdown of the tank production at Michoud Assembly Facility resulted in significant layoffs at Lockheed Martin. In 2010, the company employed more than 1,400 workers at Michoud, a number that decreased to around 600, with 200 of those workers transitioning to the company's Orion project, which focuses on building a manned space capsule as a replacement for the space shuttle.
The last external fuel tank produced by Lockheed Martin was delivered to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on September 27, 2010, to fuel the final launch of the space shuttle Endeavour, which took place on February 27, 2011.
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Foam debris shed during launch damaged the space shuttle Columbia in 2003
On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it re-entered Earth's atmosphere over Texas and Louisiana, resulting in the tragic loss of all seven astronauts on board. This incident, known as the Columbia disaster, was caused by foam debris that shed from the external tank during launch, damaging the thermal protection system tiles on the orbiter's left wing.
The Columbia disaster brought attention to the issue of foam shedding, which had occurred during previous Space Shuttle launches but had not received sufficient scrutiny. The impact of the foam strike on Columbia's left wing was severe, compromising the integrity of the thermal protection system. As the shuttle re-entered the atmosphere, the damage allowed atmospheric gases to enter the wing, causing a loss of sensors and ultimately leading to the destruction of the shuttle and the tragic loss of the crew.
The investigation into the Columbia disaster revealed that the left wing sustained the most significant heat damage. Recovered debris, specifically RCC panels from the left wing, indicated that it was the first part of the orbiter to disintegrate before the rest of the shuttle broke apart. X-ray and chemical analyses of these panels showed high levels of slag deposits, further highlighting the extent of the damage caused by the foam strike.
The Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) played a crucial role in understanding the cause of the accident. They conducted public hearings and released their final report in August 2003. CAIB's findings shed light on the critical nature of the foam strike, and the subsequent decline in crew safety. The investigation also brought to light the internal dynamics within NASA, with some engineers expressing concerns about the seriousness of the foam damage and the need for further inspection before re-entry.
The Columbia disaster had a profound impact on NASA, leading to the suspension of space shuttle flights for over two years as the organization reevaluated its safety protocols. The incident highlighted the importance of addressing even minor issues, such as foam shedding, which had previously been considered a relatively low-risk concern. It served as a turning point, prompting NASA to adopt a more cautious and thorough approach to space shuttle maintenance and operations.
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The tank is inspected before launch and carries cameras to monitor foam loss
The space shuttle external tank is a crucial component of the spacecraft, supplying the propellant needed for the shuttle's ascent into orbit. Standing at 154 feet (47 meters) tall and weighing nearly 1.7 million pounds (772,727 kg) when filled with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant, these tanks are behemoths.
Due to the critical nature of their function, these tanks undergo meticulous inspections before launch. This rigorous process includes carrying cameras to monitor and capture any foam loss events during liftoff. The inclusion of cameras is a direct response to the Columbia shuttle tragedy in 2003, where foam debris shed during launch damaged the shuttle's heat shield, resulting in the loss of the shuttle and its seven-astronaut crew.
Since the Columbia accident, NASA has been actively working to enhance safety measures and reduce the amount of insulating foam covering the shuttle fuel tanks. These modifications have successfully minimized foam insulation shed during launch, mitigating the potential for damage to the shuttle's heat shield.
The inspection process for the fuel tank doesn't end with pre-launch checks. Once the shuttle reaches orbit, astronauts continue the vigilant monitoring by inspecting their shuttle heat shields for any new dings or damage that may have occurred during the ascent. This comprehensive approach to safety ensures that potential issues are identified and addressed promptly, contributing to the overall reliability and safety of space shuttle missions.
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Frequently asked questions
The fuel tank holds the super-chilled liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellant consumed by a shuttle during its ascent into orbit.
The external fuel tank for a space shuttle is 154 feet (47 meters) tall, measures about 28 feet (8.5 meters) across and weighs almost 59,000 pounds (26,818 kg) when empty.
After disconnecting, the external fuel tank becomes space trash.
Lockheed Martin was responsible for building the space shuttle's giant external fuel tanks at NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans.
