Just how advanced was the space shuttle?

[tcsenter]

An 'escape module' would ONLY be valid for an extremely limited set of scenarious during lift-off and after re-entry, never during the re-entry burn. Its not that an escape module couldn't be built, its that the crew would never get an opportunity to use it, so the point is moot.

At the speed and temperature extremes the Shuttle must endure, a catastrophic failure resulting in the literal disintegration of the Shuttle would preclude any "window" of opportunity to deploy an escape module. THAT was the consensus of NASA engineers and scientists when the proposal has been put on the table before.

 

[lowtech1]

Originally posted by: kenleung

Originally posted by: OS

That being said, you can only polish an old frame so much. It lacks safety systems common on military aircraft, namely an ejectible cockpit. You can be certain that the next generation shuttle will have some sort of ejection mechanism.

yep, eject at mach 18... riiiight.

EDIT: typo

It is posible to eject at that speed becasue the ejection capsule speed will be relative to the shuttle. It just that the ejection capsule have be tear or cone shape with thick heat shield. Just look at the old pods re-enter pods that were used on the apollos & Rusian Soyuz capsules.

 

[lowtech1]

Originally posted by: flot
Seriously, I don't understand why the space shuttle is "such a complex system" ...

What's the difference between the shuttle and your average fighter jet? Aside from the whole "atmosphere" issue, I'm not sure why the control systems, etc, etc would be *drastically* different than those used to control a plane?

Honest question, I just don't see it.

At high speed the stress on the space frame is exponetialy greater, then you have to deal with rapid change of extream temperature that deform metals. And, there is also the radiation factor that affect electrical equipments.

 

[Tiger]

It is posible to eject at that speed becasue the ejection capsule speed will be relative to the shuttle

Doesn't matter what the speed of the ejection system is relative to the shuttle. It stiil has to be able to withstand the same thermal and dynamic forces that the shuttle does. I hope nobody is suggesting an escape capsule ala the F-111B.

 

[Chadder007]

Good thing that Bush is boosting Funding for NASA now....
http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/02/02/bush.budget.nasa.reut/index.html

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- President Bush wants to boost funding for NASA by almost a half-billion dollars to modernize the space agency's aging shuttle fleet and develop a new space plane, an administration official said Sunday.