7/7 If the Space Shuttle has no fuel tank, how does it change course when
it tries to leave orbit and return to earth? Thx.
\_ It has small thrusters on it.
\_ Yep, they jet compressed O2, IIRC. Basically they just nudge
themselves "down" a bit, coast down, nose up to come in w/
the heat tiles facing down, and then once in atmo and not falling
like a rock can use aileron/elevators and rudder.
\_ Those are the attitude adjustment nozzles. It also has a
main deorbiting thruster that uses a small amount of rocket
fuel.
\_ for 'in-space' maneuvering, it has two different sets of rockets.
The RCS thrusters for attitude adjustment and fine maneuvering,
and the OMS engines (two 'medium sized' rockets on the back) for
larger orbital adjustments. -ERic |