Sylvie Willis
The external fuel tank of a space shuttle is an important component that provides fuel for the shuttle's engines. After the shuttle has finished using the fuel in this external tank, it separates from the shuttle and falls back to Earth. During re-entry, the tank heats up and breaks apart due to the remaining fuel and oxidizer mixing, resulting in rapid combustion. This process causes the tank to disintegrate into smaller pieces that burn up before reaching the Earth's surface. While it may not seem significant, understanding the behaviour of these external tanks during separation is crucial for space exploration programs to ensure the safety of both the shuttle and its crew.
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What You'll Learn
The tank falls back to Earth
After separation, the external tank falls back to Earth. It is not in a stable orbit at main engine cut-off, so it re-enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up, usually over the Indian Ocean. The tank is moving fast and is not protected, so during re-entry, it heats up and breaks apart. This causes the remaining fuel and oxidizer to mix, resulting in rapid combustion. This breaks the tank into smaller pieces that burn up before reaching the Earth's surface. Even if a piece of the tank were to reach the surface, it would not create a large crater.
The tank's descent provides an opportunity to inspect it for quality control purposes. Photos taken during the ET Photo Maneuver help determine how much foam has come off the tank during the flight. This was of particular interest after the Columbia disaster. These photos also capture ice debris floating alongside the tank, which has sometimes been mistaken for a UFO.
The tank's re-entry and combustion can be observed and recorded. A video posted by a Reddit user shows the tank beginning to tumble within minutes of detachment. The user speculates that the camera cut away accidentally as the tank broke up, missing the "coolest part". The user also notes the slow, rhythmic pulsing visible in the video, which is expected as the profile of the re-entering body changes.
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It burns up during re-entry
After separation, the external fuel tank of a space shuttle re-enters Earth's atmosphere and burns up, typically over the Indian Ocean. The tank is not in a stable orbit at main engine cut-off, and as it re-enters the atmosphere, it heats up and starts to break apart due to the lack of protection. This causes the remaining fuel and oxidizer to mix, resulting in rapid combustion. This breaks the tank into smaller pieces that are easily burned up before reaching the Earth's surface.
The combustion process is so intense that even if a small piece of the tank were to reach the Earth's surface, it would not make a significant crater. The tank tumbles and changes attitude rapidly during re-entry, which can make it difficult to track with high-power telephoto lenses. This may be why some people have mistaken ice debris floating alongside the tank for UFOs, as the debris can resemble "space invaders".
The External Tank Photo Maneuver is a procedure where the shuttle orbiter pitches over to photograph the external tank after separation. These photos are used to assess the amount of foam that has popped off the tank during flight, an important consideration for quality control after the Columbia disaster. While not confirmed, NASA may also use these photos to confirm nominal venting of residual fuel.
Overall, the burning up of the external fuel tank during re-entry is a critical aspect of the space shuttle's operation, and the tank's separation and destruction are carefully monitored and studied to ensure the safety and success of future missions.
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Residual fuel is vented
After the separation of the shuttle's external fuel tank, residual fuel is vented. This is a critical process to ensure the safety and stability of the shuttle. The residual fuel comprises the remaining LOX/LH2 fuel mixture left in the external tank after the main engine cutoff. As the tank is not in a stable orbit at this point, it starts to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere. During re-entry, the tank is subjected to extreme heat, causing it to break apart.
The venting of residual fuel is a standard procedure to mitigate the risks associated with the leftover fuel. If the residual fuel were not vented, it could ignite and cause an explosion during the tank's re-entry. By venting the fuel, the risk of combustion is significantly reduced. This process is crucial for the safe disposal of the external tank and preventing potential hazards upon its return to Earth.
The venting process involves releasing the residual fuel into space, where it quickly disperses and poses minimal risk to the shuttle or its surroundings. This procedure is typically performed shortly after the external tank's separation from the shuttle. The venting ensures that any remaining fuel does not accumulate or ignite, causing potential damage or compromising the mission's success.
The residual fuel venting process is a well-engineered and controlled procedure. It is designed to minimize the environmental impact and ensure the safe disposal of the fuel. By confirming the nominal venting of residual fuel, the shuttle team can ensure that the tank is safe and will not cause any unintended consequences upon its re-entry and disintegration. This process is a testament to the careful planning and execution of space missions, where every detail is considered to ensure the safety of the crew, equipment, and the environment.
The external fuel tank's re-entry and disintegration are closely monitored to gather valuable data and ensure the safe completion of the mission. The tank typically re-enters the Earth's atmosphere and burns up over the Indian Ocean. This controlled process ensures that any remaining fuel is completely burned up, minimizing the risk of impact on the Earth's surface. The careful management of the external fuel tank's separation, residual fuel venting, and re-entry showcase the meticulous nature of space exploration and the priority placed on safety and environmental considerations.
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Ice debris floats alongside
After separation, the external fuel tank falls back to Earth. During re-entry, the tank heats up and starts to break apart due to the lack of protection. This causes the remaining fuel and oxidizer to mix, resulting in rapid combustion. This breaks the tank into smaller pieces that burn up completely before reaching the Earth's surface. Due to the tank's instability, it usually falls into the Indian Ocean.
In a photo taken by the Space Shuttle orbiter after external tank separation, ice debris can be seen floating alongside the tank. This debris has sometimes been mistaken for a UFO, as it resembles a "space invader". The photo was taken during the ET Photo Maneuver, where the orbiter pitches over to photograph the external tank. This maneuver allowed NASA to assess the amount of foam that had come off the tank during flight, which was an important quality control measure after the Columbia disaster.
The presence of ice debris floating alongside the external tank highlights the potential hazards of space debris and the importance of understanding its behaviour. This includes the study of how ice debris interacts with the space environment, including the effects of radiation, vacuum, and extreme temperatures. Additionally, the study of ice debris can provide insights into the formation and evolution of the solar system, as well as the potential for extraterrestrial life.
The behaviour of ice debris in space is influenced by various factors, including the microgravity environment, the low-pressure atmosphere, and the presence of charged particles and radiation. These factors can cause the ice to sublime, forming a cloud of vapour around the debris. This vapour can then condense onto nearby surfaces, including other debris, spacecraft, or even astronauts during spacewalks.
Understanding the behaviour of ice debris is crucial for space missions, as it can impact the performance and longevity of spacecraft and other space infrastructure. Additionally, the accumulation of ice on sensitive equipment or propulsion systems can lead to operational issues or even failures. By studying the behaviour of ice debris, scientists and engineers can develop strategies to mitigate these risks, such as improved thermal control systems or debris shielding.
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The tank breaks apart
The breaking apart of the tank can also cause a rapid change in speed, making it difficult to track with high-powered cameras. This may result in the tank appearing to "shatter" and change attitude, requiring the camera operator to reacquire the target.
The External Tank Photo Maneuver is performed after separation to photograph the tank and assess the amount of foam that has popped off during flight. This information is important for quality control, especially after the Columbia disaster, to confirm nominal venting of residual fuel.
The tank is not designed to remain in orbit and will re-enter the Earth's atmosphere, burning up in the process. The pieces that do reach the surface are unlikely to create a significant crater due to the tank's lightweight construction.
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Frequently asked questions
The tank falls back to Earth. During re-entry, the tank heats up and breaks apart, with the remaining fuel and oxidizer mixing and causing rapid combustion. This breaks the tank into smaller pieces that burn up before reaching the Earth's surface.
Typically over the Indian Ocean.
No, the tank is not in a stable orbit at main engine cut-off, so it re-enters the atmosphere.
The remaining fuel (LOX/LH2) heats up and causes combustion, breaking the tank into smaller pieces.
Yes, photos are taken during the ET Photo Maneuver, where the orbiter pitches over to photograph the external tank. These photos are used to assess the amount of foam that has popped off the tank during flight for quality control purposes.
