Naim 6 Report post Posted November 7, 2007 Discovery landed a few minutes ago. What's that thing at the tail? Sorta speed-brake? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miroslav zinoviy 0 Report post Posted November 7, 2007 (edited) yup..its a rudder cum speed brake.. this is how it works: Rudder mode: Speed brake mode: Mixed-mode: Edited November 7, 2007 by miroslav zinoviy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Azuddin 1 Report post Posted November 8, 2007 Welcome home Astronauts. Yes, those are the speed break. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jerry Ang 0 Report post Posted November 8, 2007 I always wonder, are the speed breaks on the vertical stab with tire breaks alone sufficient enough to stop the landing shuttle? Does space shuttle have some sorts of reverse thrusts or spoilers on the wings like those on airplanes? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TW Teo 0 Report post Posted November 8, 2007 (edited) I always wonder, are the speed breaks on the vertical stab with tire breaks alone sufficient enough to stop the landing shuttle? Does space shuttle have some sorts of reverse thrusts or spoilers on the wings like those on airplanes? There's a parachute. But it still can land without one. Edited November 8, 2007 by TW Teo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yusoff 1 Report post Posted November 9, 2007 Did you know that prior landing, the orbiter's (that aircraft-like thing) decent rate is 20 times higher and 7 times steeper than compared to normal commercial airliner... and if i'm notmistaken, final approach speed is 500mph. swooosh...! imagine how those main landing gears handling the pressures Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Radzi 2 Report post Posted November 9, 2007 Does space shuttle have some sorts of reverse thrusts ..... Can't have reverse thrust when you don't even have forward thrust. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Naim 6 Report post Posted November 9, 2007 yup..its a rudder cum speed brake.. this is how it works: Rudder mode: ... Thanks, cute graphics. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Azuddin 1 Report post Posted November 10, 2007 During a landing, a shuttle is a dead stick. No forward thrust or reverse thrust. All they have is the RCS thruster located at the nose and the OMS pod at the tail and those are for maneuvering. Landing is actually harder then launch. The crew only have one chance to do it right. It's either they land it perfectly, or else not at all. They can't abort landing and do a go around. Azuddin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Khaled 2 Report post Posted November 10, 2007 During a landing, a shuttle is a dead stick. No forward thrust or reverse thrust. All they have is the RCS thruster located at the nose and the OMS pod at the tail and those are for maneuvering. Landing is actually harder then launch. The crew only have one chance to do it right. It's either they land it perfectly, or else not at all. They can't abort landing and do a go around. Azuddin If they have rudder and speedbrakes, I'm sure they use elevons for the gliding maneuver. RCS thruster for the rotational and linear thrust in space ?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Azuddin 1 Report post Posted November 10, 2007 If they have rudder and speedbrakes, I'm sure they use elevons for the gliding maneuver. RCS thruster for the rotational and linear thrust in space ?? True, but the RCS is still be use during landing in certain situation, like course correction or altitude correction. Most shuttle mission uses the RCS during landing. This can be notice by a couple of loud bang sound while the shuttle is gliding for approaching Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Khaled 2 Report post Posted November 10, 2007 True, but the RCS is still be use during landing in certain situation, like course correction or altitude correction. Most shuttle mission uses the RCS during landing. This can be notice by a couple of loud bang sound while the shuttle is gliding for approaching No wonder the bang sound...hehe...Thanks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Azuddin 1 Report post Posted November 11, 2007 Shuttle Atlantis (OV-104) has been rolled out to the launchpad. Schedule to launch early December. Azuddin Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Seth K 3 Report post Posted November 11, 2007 Shuttle Atlantis (OV-104) has been rolled out to the launchpad. What a waste of fuel..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mohd Idham 0 Report post Posted November 13, 2007 They go after our Dr. SMS return home right ??? they installed Harmony module on ISS....if they were there as same as DR. SMS, that would be very great for him..and i wonder, does Dr. SMS had been trained for a space walk?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Khaled 2 Report post Posted November 13, 2007 does Dr. SMS had been trained for a space walk?? Judging from the live interview after he went onboard ISS...i guess not...hehe.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
