Space Shuttle Orbiter Systems Trivia Quiz

Answer: 2 minutes

The SRBs are separated 2 minutes after lift-off. The shuttle continues in flight for 6 minutes with the space shuttle main engines (SSMEs), until main engine cut-off (MECO).

Answer: 5

There are 5 GPCs on the shuttle. 3 of them are back-up. The GPCs basically fly the shuttle. The commander and pilot basically tell the computers what to do.

Answer: Liquid hydrogen (LH2) tank, intertank, liquid oxygen tank

The ET provides fuel for the SSMEs on the acsent into orbit. The ET is separated 8 minutes after lift-off. It is the only part of the shuttle that is not re-used. It is burned up in the atmosphere.

Answer: Thrusters

The RCS are thrusters used for small on-orbit adjustments in attitude control and velocity. The orbiter has 38 primary thrusters and 6 Vernier thrusters.

Answer: black

High-reusable surface insulation (HRSI) are black carbon fiber tiles that are placed on the bottom on the orbiter, leading edges of the wings, vertical stabilizer and the nose. HRSI tiles can withstand temperatures up to 704 degrees celcius.

Answer: Docking

The COAS is used to provide range and range rate for dock and rendevouz with a satellite or space station.

Answer: Tracking and data relay satellite

Tracking and data-relay satellites (TDRS or TEDRISS) are used by NASA to track shuttle missions and have contact with them at any orbital point. In the early days of the shuttle, there were certain periods called Zone of Exclusion (ZOE) where the shuttle lost contact with mission control. Today, there are no longer any ZOEs, since there are mayn TDRSs in orbit.

Answer: ATO, AOA, TAL, RTLS

If there is a major malfunction during the ascent stage, there are four types of aborts. The best type of abort is an Abort To Orbit (ATO). This is if there is a minor malfunction. The shuttle will do one orbit lower than originally planned, and then use the OMS engines to bring it up to regular orbit.

The next abort is an Abort Once Around (AOA). The shuttle does one orbit and lands. Trans-Atlantic Landing (TAL) is where the shuttle will land at once of the emergency landing sites in either Morroco, Senegal or Spain.

The Return To Launch Site (RTLS) mode involves flying downrange to dissipate propellant and then turning around under power to return directly to a landing at or near the launch site.

Answer: Orbital Maneuvering System

The OMS engines are located on the aft fuselage. They are use to provide thrust for orbital insertion, orbit change or de-orbit burn.

Answer: on-orbit station (aft flight deck)

The remote manipulator arm ("Canadarm") is the robotic grappling arm. It is operated by a mission specialist in from the on-orbit station.

Answer: Fire the OMS engines for orbital insertion, then type in "OPS-201-PRO" into the GPC, signaling you have completed the ascent stage of the mission.

The key job of the commander and pilot is to fly the orbiter. They monitor the systems and land it. Mission specialists, payload commanders and payload specialists perform the tasks that are assigned to the mission, such as experiments or satellite repair.

Answer: 345 km/h

From de-orbit burn, to touch down, the shuttle orbiter slows from 26,500 km/h, to 345km/h in one hour.

Answer: At the top of of the fixed service structure (FSS)

The gaseous oxygen vent arm is located at the top of the FSS. The FSS is the servicing structure on the left side of the pad. It contains the orbiter access arm (OAA), gaseous hydrogen vent arm, and the rotating service structure. The Gaseous oxygen vent arm pumps oxidizer fuel into the liquid oxygen tank. It is retracted 2 minutes before launch.

Answer: Water

The shuttle is so lound, that the delicate payloads would be ruined by acoustical energy, since they sit so close to the MLP. 300,000 gallons of water is used for the sound surpression system.

Answer: 3

There are three decks in the crew module. There is the flight deck, where most on-orbit operations are conducted, the mid deck which contains experiments and living accomadations. There is an equipment bay below the mid deck for storage.