Shuttle Re-entry

[CrewResearch]

What are the heat tiles made out of?

Silica, I think.

 

[User546]

CrewResearch is right.

If you like explanations with big words, check out the below link. It describes in a bit more detail the makeup of the shuttle tiles:

http://phun.physics.virginia.edu/demos/shuttle.html

 

[SandyLab]

How many night landings have there been? I thought all landings were done during the day.

I think we're going to see more night landings in the future of the shuttle program. Take note of the flight path on this recovery. Notice how it has very little flight over the US turf. I think this is a lesson learned from the unfortunate Columbia accident where the debris was spread over west to east. This path is interesting how it sneaks up feet wet from the gulf of mexico to FL.

 

[EagleRJ]

I think we're going to see more night landings in the future of the shuttle program. Take note of the flight path on this recovery. Notice how it has very little flight over the US turf. I think this is a lesson learned from the unfortunate Columbia accident where the debris was spread over west to east. This path is interesting how it sneaks up feet wet from the gulf of mexico to FL.

That's a fun conspiricy theory, but it's not true.

The shuttle is coming in from the SW instead of the WNW due to the "inclination" of the Space Station's orbit. The inclination refers to the maximum angle between the orbit and the equator. Most non-ISS Shuttle missions are launched at less than 30 degrees inclination, which means the Northern-most and Southern-most parts of the orbit are closer to the Equator. The ISS is orbiting at around 51 degrees inclination, so the Shuttle needs to be sent into a completely different orbit in order to rendezvous with it.

The orbital inclination is mostly decided during launch. It can be adjusted a tiny amount in orbit, but changing it a lot would require an impossible amount of fuel. That is why Columbia couldn't reach the ISS, even if the damage to the tiles had been detected. It would be like driving down the Interstate, and seeing another car driving across an overpass above you. Physically close, but no chance of docking.

 

[JimNtexas]

I've seen two night shuttle recoveries when they passed over Austin, very spectacular.

 

[bocefus]

"I checked out "Stages to Saturn" when I got home. Chrysler did the first stages for the Saturn 1 and 1B's. Boeing did the Saturn V S-IC stages. Both were assembled at the same place, though - the Michoud facility in Huntsville (Marshall Space Flight Center). Interestingly, that's where the current shuttle ET is built - by Lockheed Martin (just about the only space prime contractor that hasn't been absorbed by Boeing). More different people in that place than a 2 dollar hooker"

Chrysler operated the transportation barges for all of the stages.
The Michoud facility is not in Huntsville, nor is it the Marshalll Space Flight Center.

 

[mzaharis]

"I checked out "Stages to Saturn" when I got home. Chrysler did the first stages for the Saturn 1 and 1B's. Boeing did the Saturn V S-IC stages. Both were assembled at the same place, though - the Michoud facility in Huntsville (Marshall Space Flight Center). Interestingly, that's where the current shuttle ET is built - by Lockheed Martin (just about the only space prime contractor that hasn't been absorbed by Boeing). More different people in that place than a 2 dollar hooker"

Chrysler operated the transportation barges for all of the stages.
The Michoud facility is not in Huntsville, nor is it the Marshalll Space Flight Center.

My mistake on the location. New Orleans - a long distance from Huntsville. It is associated with MSFC, however, although Lockheed Martin currently operates it. I think that that's where my confusion arose. Thanks.

http://www.globalsecurity.org/space/facility/michoud.htm