1007936
This site explains the complexity of the entire mission of a space shuttle launch, orbit, activities, and return to Earth. Students and teachers can learn about the precise nature of space science including extensive preparations and examine the monumental technology behind Americas shuttle program, as well as the extraordinarily difficult mission it was designed to carry out. Information is also provided on the background and history of the space shuttle. Diagrams, full-color photos, highlighted terms and supplementary definitions assist users in understanding scientific terminology used to describe the extraordinary missions of shuttle astronauts, crew and specialists. A printable version of this information is also available on site.
Summary
| Subject keyword(s) | Biotechnology, Earth and space science, Education, Engineering technology, Information and communications technology, Life Science, Science and technology, Science as inquiry, Science process skills, Space exploration, Space technology, Technology |
|---|
| Grade level | Middle School, Informal Education, Vocational/Professional Development Education |
|---|
| Intended audience | Educator, General Public, Learner |
|---|
| Resource type | Audio/Visual, Reference Material |
|---|
| Resource format | application, image, image/jpeg, text, text/html |
|---|
| Rights | Copyright 1998-2009 HowStuffWorks |
|---|
Using this resource
Found in collection(s)
Click on the logo to get more information about the collection.
| Title | Middle School Portal: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2) |
|---|
| Link | http://msteacher2.org/ |
|---|
| Description | The Middle School Portal 2: Math and Science Pathways (MSP2) supports middle grades educators with high-quality, standards-based resources and promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing among its users. Educators use MSP2 to increase content knowledge in science, mathematics, and appropriate pedagogy for youth ages 10 to 15. MSP2 employs social networking and digital tools to foster dynamic experiences that promote creation, modification, and sharing of resources, facilitate professional development, and support the integration of technology into practice. MSP2 is a project of the Ohio State University College of Education and Human Ecology, National Middle School Association, and Education Development Center, Inc., and is funded by the National Science Foundation. The partners integrate resources, tools, and services across projects, and support multiple methods of resource discovery to meet the needs of this audience. |
|---|
| Full description and distribution of resources |
|---|
Content contained within the resource
Adventure Auto Culture Entertainment Home & Garden Money Science Tech Video Shows Blogs Quizzes Games Random Article Engineering Environmental Science Forces of Nature Innovation Military Physical Science Science Dictionary Science Versus Myth Space Transportation Home > Science > Space > Space Transportation Systems How Space Shuttles Work by Craig Freudenrich, Ph.D. Print Cite This! Close Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks article: Freudenrich, Ph.D., Craig. "How Space Shuttles Work" 19 January 2001. HowStuffWorks.com. 03 February 2012. Cite Feedback Stuff You Should Know Josh & Chuck explore zombies, mirror neurons and more » Inside this Article Introduction to How Space Shuttles Work Launching the Space Shuttle Space Shuttle Liftoff The Space Shuttle in Orbit Life Aboard the Space Shuttle Space Shuttle Positioning, Communication and Navigation See more » Work Aboard the Shuttle The Shuttle's Return to Earth Space Shuttle Improvements Preventing Future Space Shuttle Disasters History of the Space Shuttle Lots More Information See all Space Transportation Systems articles Space Shuttle Image Gallery Liftoff of the space shuttle. See more space shuttle pictures. Photo courtesy NASA Up Next How Astronauts Work Space Shuttle Quiz Discovery.com: Space Shuttle Images In its nearly 30-year history, the space shuttle program has seen exhilarating highs and devastating lows. The fleet has taken astronauts on dozens of successful missions, resulting in immeasurable scientific gains. But this success has had a serious cost. In 1986, the Challenger exploded during launch. In 2003, the Columbia broke up during re-entry over Texas. Since the Columbia accident, the shuttles have been grounded pending redesigns to improve their safety. The 2005 shuttle Discovery was supposed to initiate the return to flight, but a large piece of insulating foam broke free from its external fuel tank, leaving scientists to solve the mystery and the program grounded once more until July 2006, when the Discovery and Atlantis both carried out successful missions. In this article, we examine the monumental technology behind America's shuttle program, the mission it was designed to carry out, and the extraordinary efforts that NASA has made to return the shuttle to flight. First, let's look at the parts of the space shuttle and a typical mission. The space shuttle consists of the following major components: two solid rocket boosters (SRB) - critical for the launch external fuel tank (ET) - carries fuel for the launch orbiter - carries astronauts and payload The space shuttle flight path. Mouse over the boxes to see the stages. A typical shuttle mission is as follows: getting into orbit launch - the shuttle lifts off the launching pad ascent orbital maneuvering burn orbit - life in space re-entry landing A typical shuttle mission lasts seven to eight days, but can extend to as much as 14 days depending upon the objectives of the mission. Let's look at the stages of a mission one by one. Learn More on the Discovery Channel The Hubble Space Telescope uses a system of cameras and mirrors to detect distant star light. Learn how the Hubble sees in this video from the Discovery Channel. VIDEO: Check out amazing videos of UFOs and the worst natural disasters. >> Next Page All Things Science 10 Incredible Wind Power Facts 10 Remarkable Exoplanets Fact or Fiction: Earthquake Quiz Top 10 Things That Women Invented Get in Touch With the Dark Arts Watch 100 Greatest Discoveries videos » You Might Also Like How will Blue Origin work? Jeff Bezos made his fortune selling books online. So the next obvious step was to build rockets. Right? How does Blue Origin, Bezos' space travel company, stand up to the other commercial space racers? UFO Psychology According to UFO psychology research, many of those who report seeing UFOs may have psychological disorders. UFOs come to represent important symbols in their lives. Learn more about UFO psychology. Popular Articles How Robonauts Work The Oz Factor How Terraforming Mars Will Work Inside this Article Introduction to How Space Shuttles Work Launching the Space Shuttle Space Shuttle Liftoff The Space Shuttle in Orbit Life Aboard the Space Shuttle Space Shuttle Positioning, Communication and Navigation Work Aboard the Shuttle The Shuttle's Return to Earth Space Shuttle Improvements Preventing Future Space Shuttle Disasters History of the Space Shuttle Lots More Information See all Space Transportation Systems articles Next Page Video Favorites Robot Videos Extreme Engineering Videos 10 Ways The World Will End Videos Space Station Videos New HSW Games Storm Tracker Speed Match Crab Fishing Game Volcano Explorer Lost in Migration Word Bubbles Related Content Prices: Space Shuttle Toys 4D Vision 1/72 Space Shuttle Cutaway Model Kit Space Shuttle Cutaway Model consists of 143 parts. Fine Detailed Sculpturing with hand painted parts. Cutaway design shows the engines. Features detailed cockpit/spacelab, space-walker MMU, full articulated S.R.M.S. robot arm, and functional landing gears. Comes with Illustrated Guide Book. $161.99 Cook Islands 2010 $1 First Space Shuttle 1oz Silver Proof Coin As NASA's first re-useable launch vehicle, Columbia heralded the start of a new era in space exploration. The revolutionary craft took off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 12 April 1981, with Commander John W. Young and Pilot Robert L. Crippen at the controls. Completing 37 Earth orbits during its 1,074,567 mile flight, Columbia glided back to Earth and landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on 14 April. Celebrating the launch of the first space shuttle, the final release from the Orbit and Beyond Series features another extraordinary reverse featuring a design that literally 'orbits' around a central image of the Earth. The coin's coloured reverse of the Cook Islands 2010 1 First Space Shuttle 1oz Silver Proof Coin portrays a montage of images symbolising a Space Shuttle launching into orbit. The design, which includes the border inscription 1981 - FIRST SPACE $106.00 HOWSTUFFWORKS Adventure Auto Culture Entertainment Health Home & Garden Lifestyle Money Science Tech MORE STUFF Blogs Games HSW Tools RSS Maps Podcasts Quizzes Newsletters Video OUR WEBSITES Animal Planet Consumer Guide Auto Consumer Guide Products Discovery Channel Discovery Fit & Health HSW Brazil HSW China Investigation Discovery Oprah Winfrey Network Planet Green Science Channel TLC Discovery Education Store CUSTOMER SERVICE Advertising Contact Us Help CORPORATE About Us Careers @ Discovery Privacy Policy Visitor Agreement TAKE US WITH YOU FOLLOW US © 1998-2012 HowStuffWorks, Inc
