Katerina Swanson
When a rocket sheds its empty fuel tanks, they become space debris. This debris can cause damage to functioning satellites and spacecraft, posing a significant threat to space exploration. The issue of space debris has gained prominence in recent years, with efforts being made to address and mitigate the problem. The fate of empty rocket fuel tanks is a critical aspect of this discussion, as they contribute to the growing amount of human-made space debris. Understanding what happens to these discarded tanks is essential for developing strategies to reduce the risks associated with space debris and ensure the safety and sustainability of space activities.
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What You'll Learn
- External tanks are jettisoned and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere
- They are not reused, but there are plans to incorporate them into space stations
- Umbilicals in the attachment area carry fluids, gases, electrical signals and power
- The upper fuel tank must have minimum pressure for turbo pumps to work
- The landing computer calculates the return path to the launch pad, accounting for remaining fuel
External tanks are jettisoned and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere
External tanks are an essential component of a rocket's launch vehicle, containing liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer. These tanks supply the fuel and oxidizer under pressure to the rocket engines during lift-off and ascent. However, once the main engines cut off, the external tanks are no longer needed and are jettisoned, re-entering the Earth's atmosphere.
The jettisoning of external tanks occurs just over ten seconds after the main engine cut-off. Unlike solid rocket boosters, these external tanks are not reused for subsequent missions. While there were ideas to reuse the tanks in orbit, such as incorporating them into a space station or as rocket fuel tanks for interplanetary missions, these plans have not been implemented.
The design of external tanks is crucial to their function and subsequent jettisoning. Modifications have been made over time to reduce weight, such as eliminating portions of stringers, reducing the number of stiffener rings, and using lighter and stronger materials like titanium alloys. These changes ensure the tank can hold the required fuel while minimizing its weight, making it easier to detach and jettison during the mission.
The external tanks also play a vital role in the overall performance of the rocket during launch. The umbilicals in the aft attachment area of the tank facilitate the transfer of fluids, gases, electrical signals, and power between the tank and the orbiter. This intricate system ensures the proper functioning of the rocket during the critical lift-off and ascent phases.
In summary, external tanks are crucial components of a rocket's launch system, providing fuel and oxidizer during the initial stages of a mission. Their design considerations, including weight reduction techniques, facilitate their effective jettisoning once they are emptied of fuel. The tanks then re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, concluding their role in the rocket's journey.
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They are not reused, but there are plans to incorporate them into space stations
The Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) is the component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle responsible for storing and supplying liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer to the three RS-25 main engines. Approximately 10 seconds after the main engine cut-off, the ET is jettisoned and re-enters Earth's atmosphere. Unlike Solid Rocket Boosters, these external tanks are not reused.
However, there have been proposals to reuse these discarded tanks in orbit. One idea is to incorporate them into a space station, providing additional living or research space. Alternatively, they could be utilized as rocket fuel tanks for interplanetary missions. These concepts offer creative ways to repurpose the external tanks, rather than treating them as disposable components.
The design of the ET has undergone modifications to reduce weight. For instance, the number of stiffener rings has been decreased, and major frames in the hydrogen tank have been modified. Additionally, the milling process for significant portions of the tank has been altered to reduce thickness, further contributing to weight reduction.
The Ares V first stage, which was intended to be equipped with five RS-68 rocket engines, would have had a similar diameter to the Saturn V rocket's S-IC and S-II stages. It was designed to utilize a similar internal ET configuration, with separate LH2 and LOX tanks, and was adapted to directly accept LH2 and LOX fill and drain, along with LOX venting on a retractable arm.
While the initial approach was to discard the external tanks, the emergence of plans for their potential reuse in space exploration demonstrates a shift towards sustainability and resourcefulness in the industry.
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Umbilicals in the attachment area carry fluids, gases, electrical signals and power
When a rocket is on its launchpad, umbilicals in the attachment area play a critical role in enabling the transfer of fluids, gases, electrical signals, and power to the spacecraft. These umbilicals are essential for the proper functioning of the spacecraft before its launch.
Umbilicals are held in place by detachable locking devices, which can be disengaged either mechanically or through pneumatic actuation. Two types of locking mechanisms are commonly used: the ball and socket locking device and the collet locking device. The former employs a sleeve that captures multiple balls around the ball connection, while the latter utilizes a pin to expand fingers radially, which are then captured by the flight side receptacle.
The Saturn program, for instance, utilizes the ball and socket locking mechanism, which can be remotely disengaged. This design ensures that the umbilicals remain securely attached until intentional detachment.
Additionally, it is worth noting that umbilicals are not just limited to the transfer of fluids and gases but also facilitate the flow of electrical power and signals. This versatility makes them a crucial component in ensuring the successful operation of the spacecraft during the pre-launch phase.
Once the rocket is ready for launch, the umbilicals are detached, allowing the spacecraft to lift off unimpeded. This detachment is a carefully orchestrated process to ensure the safe release of the umbilicals without causing any hindrance to the spacecraft's movement.
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The upper fuel tank must have minimum pressure for turbo pumps to work
The upper fuel tank must have a minimum pressure for turbo pumps to work effectively. This is because the turbopump requires a certain amount of pressure to function optimally and avoid issues such as cavitation, which can damage the pump and the tank.
A turbopump is a propellant pump with two main components: a rotodynamic pump and a driving gas turbine, both usually mounted on the same shaft. They were initially developed in Germany in the early 1940s and are commonly used in liquid rocket engines. The purpose of a turbopump is to produce a high-pressure fluid for feeding into a combustion chamber. There are two common types of pumps used in turbopumps: centrifugal and axial-flow. Centrifugal pumps are the most common, where the fluid enters the pump near the axis and the rotor accelerates it to high speed. The fluid then passes through a volute or diffuser, increasing dynamic pressure and converting high kinetic energy into high pressures. Centrifugal pumps are more powerful for high-density fluids but require larger diameters for low-density fluids. Axial-flow pumps, on the other hand, have smaller diameters and are better suited for low-density fluids, but they produce relatively modest pressure increases.
To ensure the turbopumps work effectively and to avoid cavitation, the upper fuel tank must maintain a minimum pressure. Cavitation occurs when there is not enough pressure or fluid to fill the void created by the pump, leading to the formation of vacuum bubbles. This can cause damage to the pump and tank due to the violent nature of liquids collapsing into the vacuum. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a minimum pressure in the upper fuel tank to provide sufficient hydraulic head for the turbopumps to function optimally.
The specific minimum pressure required can vary depending on the pump and engine design. For example, the OEM fuel pressure for a Quadrajet is typically around 2.5 to 4 LBS, while a modified Q-Jet may require higher pressure. In another example, the maximum pressure achieved by the Space Shuttle's turbopumps was 26 atmospheres (2.6 MPa or 380 psi), delivering impressive amounts of liquid hydrogen and oxygen to the engine per second.
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The landing computer calculates the return path to the launch pad, accounting for remaining fuel
The landing computer plays a critical role in ensuring a rocket's safe return to the launch pad by calculating the return path, taking into account various factors, including the remaining fuel. This process involves several key considerations and steps:
Firstly, the landing computer needs to determine the current location and trajectory of the rocket. This involves a series of complex calculations based on the rocket's initial launch position, speed, and direction. By knowing where the rocket is and how it is moving, the computer can then plot a course back to the launch pad.
The amount of remaining fuel is a crucial factor in this calculation. The computer needs to account for the fuel required not just for the return journey but also for any necessary manoeuvres or adjustments along the way. This includes potential corrections for atmospheric drag, gravity, and other factors affecting the rocket's trajectory.
To optimise the return path, the computer also takes into account the Earth's rotation and motion. Launching from a site near the Earth's equator provides an advantage due to the planet's substantial rotational speed. By launching eastward, the rocket gets an additional boost from the Earth's rotational motion, reducing the fuel required.
Additionally, the timing of the launch and return is essential. Engineers consider the optimal time of year to launch based on the Earth's position in its orbit around the sun. This helps ensure that the rocket can take advantage of the planet's motion, receiving a boost in the desired direction. The landing computer uses this information to calculate the most efficient return path, minimising fuel consumption.
The return path calculation also involves considering the rocket's separation and freefall. Once the rocket's last stage burns out, the spacecraft separates and continues in freefall. The computer needs to account for this transition and ensure that the rocket is on a precise trajectory to reach the launch pad safely.
Overall, the landing computer's calculations involve a delicate balance between the remaining fuel, the rocket's current state, and the optimal path back to the launch pad. This complex process ensures a safe and efficient return, demonstrating the critical role of computational systems in space exploration.
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Frequently asked questions
Empty rocket fuel tanks are referred to as external tanks (ET). They are always discarded and they re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.
Although external tanks were always discarded, there were plans to reuse them in orbit. They could be incorporated into a space station as extra living or research space, or as rocket fuel tanks for interplanetary missions.
The impact zone of discarded external tanks is usually cleared by the Chinese military when launching from the Xichang launch site.
It is unclear whether empty rocket fuel tanks float around as space trash.
