- published: 05 Jul 2011
- views: 337686
The Space Shuttle was a partially reusable launch system and orbital spacecraft operated by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for human spaceflight missions. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons. The first of four orbital test flights occurred in 1981 leading to operational flights beginning in 1982. It was used on a total of 135 missions from 1981 to 2011 all launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Major missions included launching numerous satellites, interplanetary probes, the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), conducting space science experiments, and constructing and servicing the International Space Station. Major components included the orbiters, recoverable boosters, external tanks, payloads, and supporting infrastructure. Five space-worthy orbiters were built; two were destroyed in mission accidents.
The Space Shuttle at launch consisted of the Orbiter Vehicle (OV), one external tank (ET), and two Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs). It was launched vertically like a conventional rocket with thrust from the two SRBs and three main engines. During launch, the external tank provided fuel for the orbiter's main engines. The SRBs and ET were jettisoned before the orbiter reached orbit. At the conclusion of the orbiter's space mission, it fired its thrusters to drop out of orbit and re-enter the lower atmosphere. The orbiter decelerated in the atmosphere before flying like a glider but with reaction control system thrusters before landing on a long runway.
Hey Mama
Whatcha doing in Seattle
With a needle
Shooting up into the sky
We quit smoking
On our way up from Portland
But we had to start again to get us by
No one knows which way it's gonna go
We just keep showing up
Never asking why
Not quite sure where we've been before
We just keep growing up
In order to survive
With Lisa
Getting to be vicious
You could see the damage blowing in her eyes
And Eric
Pretending not to see us
He's adding up statistics in his mind
To Vancouver
Where we had to cross the border
So we ditched our shit
Somewhere along the I-5
Were tired
Cause we spent the whole night wired
With Jane's Addiction
Blasting down the alpine
No one knows which way it's gonna go
We just keep showing up
Never asking why
Not quite sure where we've been before
We just keep growing up
In order to survive
Hey Mama
Whatcha doing in Seattle
With a needle
Shooting up into the sky