Rajan Wilcox
The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit is a sprawling tourist attraction at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The exhibit features a full-scale model of the Atlantis, which is raised off the ground and tilted. The boosters and fuel tanks for the Atlantis were solid rocket boosters (SRBs) and an external tank (ET). The ET was the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle, providing structural support and supplying fuel and oxidizer to the RS-25 main engines during lift-off and ascent. The SRBs burned a large amount of solid fuel to accelerate the shuttle before being jettisoned and recovered for future missions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location of the boosters and fuel tanks for Atlantis | Kennedy Space Center, Florida |
| Type of boosters | Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) |
| Fuel tank | External Tank (ET) |
| Fuel type | Liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer |
| First launch | April 12, 1981 |
| Exhibit building location | Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Florida |
| Exhibit building cost | $100 million |
| Exhibit building size | 90,000 square feet |
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What You'll Learn
- The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit features replicas of boosters and fuel tanks
- The boosters and tanks for Atlantis were designed by Custom fabricator Penwal Industries
- The boosters and tanks are housed in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center
- The boosters and tanks were raised to a vertical position before stacking with Atlantis
- The boosters and tanks were connected to the orbiter at three attachment points
The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit features replicas of boosters and fuel tanks
The boosters and fuel tanks played a crucial role in the space shuttle program, providing the fuel and thrust necessary to propel the orbiters into space. The solid rocket boosters (SRBs) burned through more than two million pounds of solid fuel, accelerating the shuttle to 3,500 miles per hour (5633 kilometers per hour) within the first two minutes of liftoff. After burning out, the SRBs were jettisoned over the ocean and later recovered for reuse in future missions.
The external fuel tank (ET), on the other hand, was the largest and heaviest component of the Space Shuttle. It contained liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer, supplying them under pressure to the orbiter's main engines during lift-off and ascent. The ET also provided structural support for the attachment of the solid rocket boosters and the orbiter. Despite proposals to reuse the external tanks, such as in a lunar habitat or as an orbital station, they were ultimately not recovered and broke up before impact in the Indian Ocean or the Pacific Ocean.
The replicas of the boosters and fuel tanks in the Atlantis exhibit were designed and manufactured by Custom Fabricator Penwal Industries of California. These replicas stand at an impressive height, with the boosters reaching 149 feet (45 meters) tall and serving as a dramatic gateway to the exhibit. The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit offers visitors a glimpse into the engineering and technology behind the space shuttle program, showcasing the crucial components that enabled the shuttle's journey into space.
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The boosters and tanks for Atlantis were designed by Custom fabricator Penwal Industries
The Space Shuttle Atlantis is a fascinating piece of engineering, with its boosters and fuel tanks playing a critical role in its success. The boosters and tanks for Atlantis were designed by custom fabricator Penwal Industries of California, in partnership with NASA and PGAV Destinations, who developed the overall exhibit. This collaboration ensured that the Atlantis exhibit accurately represented the engineering marvels that propelled the shuttle into space.
The solid rocket boosters (SRBs) and external fuel tanks were essential components of the Atlantis space shuttle program. The SRBs provided the thrust needed to propel the shuttle into orbit, burning through more than two million pounds of solid fuel in the process. These boosters were jettisoned over the ocean after about two minutes of acceleration and recovered for future missions. The external fuel tank, or ET, was the "backbone" of the shuttle during launch, providing structural support and housing the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer.
Penwal Industries' expertise in custom fabrication was crucial in replicating these complex systems for the Atlantis exhibit. The model boosters and tank they designed and manufactured were not just visually accurate but also helped educate visitors about the shuttle's functionality. The exhibit showcases how the boosters and tanks worked together to propel the shuttle into space, highlighting the engineering challenges overcome by NASA and its partners.
The Atlantis exhibit, housed within the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida, offers a unique opportunity to explore the intricacies of space travel. The $100 million exhibit, underwritten through admission and concession sales, provides a detailed glimpse into the world of space exploration. The full-scale model of the external tank, along with the two 12-foot-wide rockets, stand as a testament to the engineering prowess behind the Atlantis shuttle program.
The boosters and fuel tanks for Atlantis, designed by Penwal Industries, play a pivotal role in showcasing the engineering marvels that enabled space travel. Through their custom fabrication, Penwal Industries brings to life the complex systems that powered the Atlantis shuttle, offering visitors a deeper understanding of the challenges and achievements of space exploration.
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The boosters and tanks are housed in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center
The boosters and fuel tanks for Atlantis are housed in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit is a sprawling 90,000-square-foot tourist attraction that has been contracted by NASA to be operated by Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts since 1995. The exhibit features a dramatic, 184-foot-tall gateway formed by two full-size, high-fidelity solid rocket booster replicas and a full-scale external tank model. These replicas are assembled in six stages and secured and welded together.
The real solid rocket boosters and external tank for Atlantis were used throughout the space shuttle program to provide the fuel and thrust needed to propel the orbiters into space. The boosters burned through more than two million pounds of solid fuel in just two minutes, accelerating the shuttle to 3,500 miles per hour. After this initial boost, the boosters were jettisoned over the ocean for recovery and reuse in future missions.
The external tank, or ET, was the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle when loaded. It contained liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer, supplying them under pressure to the three RS-25 main engines in the orbiter. The ET also provided structural support for the attachment of the solid rocket boosters and the orbiter. Unlike the boosters, the external tanks were not reused and broke up before impact in the Indian or Pacific Ocean, away from shipping lanes.
The Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center played a crucial role in preparing the external tank and solid rocket boosters for the STS-125 Hubble servicing mission. External tank 130 was raised to a vertical position in the transfer aisle and lifted into high bay 2 for checkout before stacking with the boosters and Atlantis. This process, known as "rollout," paved the way for the launch of the STS-135 mission to the International Space Station.
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The boosters and tanks were raised to a vertical position before stacking with Atlantis
The boosters and tanks for the Atlantis exhibit were designed and manufactured by Custom fabricator Penwal Industries of California. The model boosters and tanks for the Atlantis exhibit were developed in partnership with NASA by St. Louis-based PGAV Destinations. The boosters and tanks were raised to a vertical position before stacking with Atlantis in the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This process was completed using a crane.
The external tank (ET) was a critical component of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, serving as the "backbone" and providing structural support for attachment with the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) and the orbiter. The ET contained liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer, supplying them under pressure to the RS-25 main engines during lift-off and ascent.
The SRBs played a crucial role in thrusting the orbiters into space, burning more than two million pounds of solid fuel to accelerate the shuttle to 3,500 miles per hour (5633 kilometers per hour) within the first two minutes of ignition. After this initial burn, the SRBs were jettisoned over the ocean for recovery and reuse in future missions.
The boosters and tanks for the Atlantis exhibit are replicas that stand at an impressive height, with the two 12-foot-wide rockets reaching 149 feet tall when fully assembled. This display serves as a dramatic gateway to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, providing a visual representation of the power and scale of the Space Shuttle Atlantis program.
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The boosters and tanks were connected to the orbiter at three attachment points
The Space Shuttle Atlantis is a retired NASA space shuttle located at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. The Atlantis exhibit is a $100 million, 90,000-square-foot attraction that includes full-size, high-fidelity solid rocket booster replicas and an external tank. The boosters and tanks were connected to the orbiter at three attachment points.
The external tank (ET) was the largest and heaviest element of the Space Shuttle Atlantis when loaded. It provided structural support and contained the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer for the three RS-25 main engines in the orbiter. The ET was connected to the orbiter at one forward attachment bipod and two aft bipods. These attachments allowed for the transfer of fluids, gases, electrical signals, and power between the tank and the orbiter.
The solid rocket boosters (SRBs) provided the fuel to thrust the orbiters into space, burning more than two million pounds of solid fuel to accelerate the shuttle to 3,500 miles per hour (5633 kilometers per hour) for about two minutes. The SRBs were connected to the ET at one forward attachment point and one aft bracket. After use, the SRBs were jettisoned over the ocean and recovered for future missions.
The boosters and tanks played a crucial role in providing the necessary fuel and structural support to the orbiter during the Space Shuttle Atlantis missions. The three attachment points between the boosters, tanks, and orbiter ensured a secure connection and allowed for the transfer of essential resources for the mission's success.
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Frequently asked questions
The boosters and fuel tanks for Atlantis are located at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.
Atlantis uses an external fuel tank (ET) which is the largest element of the Space Shuttle.
The ET is made of a titanium alloy and an aluminium-lithium alloy (Al 2195).
The ET serves as the "backbone" of the shuttle during launch, providing structural support and attachment for the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) and the orbiter. It also supplies fuel and oxidizer to the RS-25 main engines.
No, the ETs are not reused. They are jettisoned after main engine cut-off and break up before impact in the Indian or Pacific Ocean.
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