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How to Make Space Shuttle?

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Overview of Space Shuttle

Whenever we see up at the sky, we always want to know what's there in space. Not only do we want to know, but also we want to go there, and for that curiosity, scientist has made a space shuttle. Do you know what's space shuttle is? If not, then don't worry.


Today we will learn about the space shuttle, but before starting, let's talk a little bit and introduce it. So, the space shuttle was a NASA space transportation system which travelled between earth and earth's orbit. It carried as many as seven astronauts at a time to and from space. 


Space Shuttle Launches into Space


Space Shuttle Launches into Space


But to know more about spacecraft for kids, let's read this article. Here we will learn about how to make the space shuttle, and it works. And will also discuss some space shuttle facts for kids and many more interesting things related to the space shuttle. So, let's begin. 


Who Invented Space Shuttle?

John Young and Robert Crippen launched the space shuttle program by piloting Columbia to space and returning successfully two days later on April 12, 1981. Space shuttle astronaut Sally Ride became the first U.S. woman in space as part of the Challenger crew in 1983.


The program was a tremendous success for NASA, but in 1986 NASA endured several tragedies. A string of successful missions was broken when Challenger disintegrated a second after liftoff, killing its seven members of the crew.


After this incident, the space shuttle program was suspended. No shuttle was launched for nearly three years. In April 1990, with the successful missions of discovery, the program rebounded. This flight placed the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit.



Hubble Space Telescope


Hubble Space Telescope 


How to Make Space Shuttle?

The space shuttle was made of three parts. The first one is the orbiter, the second is the external tank and the third is solid rocket boosters. The orbiter looked like an aeroplane. The orbiter flew around Earth. The astronauts controlled the space shuttle and lived in this part. NASA had five orbiters: Atlantis, Challenger, Columbia, Discovery and Endeavour. The external tank contains orange fuel.  The two thin cylinders that look like rockets are the solid rocket booster. They gave the extra fuel to the rocket to lift it from Earth's gravity.


How does the Space Shuttle Work?

The space shuttle launched into earth's orbit like a rocket. But it returned like a glider aeroplane.


Space Shuttle Landing


Space Shuttle Landing


The solid rocket boosters and the main engines on the orbiter helped the shuttle blast off from Earth's gravity like a rocket. The two boosters dropped off the shuttle after two minutes of launch. They landed in the ocean; a boat picked the boosters out of the ocean, so they were used again for the next flight. The external tank contains organic fuel. It dropped off the orbiter after it had used all the fuel in the tank. They don't use external tanks again and would burn up over Earth.


When the shuttle orbiter landed on Earth, it landed like an aeroplane. Wheels came from underneath the orbiter. It landed on the runway and stopped. Then NASA prepared it to fly on another mission. 


Facts About Space Shuttle 

  1. The space shuttle was the first-ever reusable spacecraft. Space rockets aren’t reusable; they only have a one-time use.

  2. Space shuttles were launched in 1981 for the first time. The shuttle was named Columbia. 

  3. NASA retired the space shuttle in 2011. The last landing of the space shuttle, called Atlantis. It landed at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on July 21st, 2011.

  4. The space shuttle could carry up to 7 astronauts at a time. Every astronaut would participate in scientific experiments, release and capture satellites and even help build the International Space Station.

  5. Space shuttles are now retired, but you can still see some of them in museums. They are located in America.


Summary

So in this article, we learned about an exciting thing, and that is a space shuttle. We learned about the space shuttle in a very wonderful and easy way. We discussed so many interesting points which were related to space shuttles we discussed how to make a space shuttle, how a space shuttle works, what are some interesting facts which are related to the space shuttle. We also discussed who invented the space shuttle. 

FAQs on How to Make Space Shuttle?

1. How many times can a space shuttle be used?

The Space Shuttle orbiter was designed for a projected lifespan of 100 launches or ten years of operational life, which was later extended.

2. How fast can a space shuttle go?

Speed of the space shuttle is 28,000 km/hr (17,500 mph).

3. What replaced the space shuttle?

Orion is Nasa's new spaceship to visit the Moon and Mars destinations.