Difference between revisions of "STS FAQ"
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The [[RMS]] arm is held in place by a set of mechanic latches. | The [[RMS]] arm is held in place by a set of mechanic latches. | ||
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| + | ==Payloads== | ||
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| + | ===What are the maximum dimensions and mass for a payload in the Shuttle?=== | ||
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| + | STS Payload Bay has a diameter of 4.6 m and a length of 18.2 m. For [[ISS]] missions, however some of the space is taken up the [[Orbiter Docking System]] so the available free length of the PLB is approx. 16.25 m. | ||
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| + | Maximum payload mass depends on orbiter vehicle and orbit needed for the payload. It can take more into a 300x300x28.5° orbit than 400x400x51.6° orbit. | ||
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| + | As a spaceplane, the payload, which can be returned (download) to [[Earth]], is also limited by [[cross range]] and [[Center of gravity|CoG]] requirements. | ||
==Thermal protection system== | ==Thermal protection system== | ||
Revision as of 18:56, 15 June 2006
The STS FAQ collects questions and answers related to the real STS, not the various available addons.
Communications
What is the purpose of the Ku-Band antenna?
The Ku-Band antenna gets used for:
- High speed communication with ground stations
- Communication with the TDRSS.
- As rendezvous radar for tracking the rendezvous target.
How is the RMS arm attached in the cargo bay while launch and reentry?
The RMS arm is held in place by a set of mechanic latches.
Payloads
What are the maximum dimensions and mass for a payload in the Shuttle?
STS Payload Bay has a diameter of 4.6 m and a length of 18.2 m. For ISS missions, however some of the space is taken up the Orbiter Docking System so the available free length of the PLB is approx. 16.25 m.
Maximum payload mass depends on orbiter vehicle and orbit needed for the payload. It can take more into a 300x300x28.5° orbit than 400x400x51.6° orbit.
As a spaceplane, the payload, which can be returned (download) to Earth, is also limited by cross range and CoG requirements.
Thermal protection system
If there will be a damaged heat shield how will the crew change it?
Currently, there's no no way to repair the orbiter's heat shield or thermal protection system. The TPS consists of both thermal blankets, silica tiles and reinforced carbon carbon(RCC) nosecap and wing leading edge panels.
How is a damaged Thermal Protection System detected?
During launch and ascent, there's a whole bunch of ground tracking cameras and radars that observes the space shuttle for any debris events. There's even a set of seven cameras on the shuttle itself!
Here's the locations of those cameras:
- In LOX feedline fairing(black object on the middle of the External Tank). This one transmits directly to the ground during launch
- 3 cameras on each Solid Rocket Booster. These cameras are not available "live" but they're retrieved when the spent SRB casings have been towed back to Port Canaveral.
And when on-orbit, the crew will use a 15 m long Candian built Orbiter Boom Sensor System to get a real close up of the TPS. The OBSS is equipped with a Laser Camera System, Laser Dynamic Range Imager and black&white Intensified TeleVision Camera.
Also during rendezvous with the International Space Station, the orbiter will do a 360° pitch-around manuever that will allow the ISS crew to photograph the TPS that will later be downlinked to the ground.