Space shuttle

Space shuttle
Space shuttle: reusable space vehicle used for travel between a space station and Earth.
Rudder: part of the shuttle used for turning.
Manoeuvring engine: engine used to steer the shuttle.
Main engines: engines that enable the shuttle to enter and leave space.
Body flap: hinged movable shuttle panel.
Tank: part of the shuttle containing stored fuel.
Wing: lift plane of the shuttle.
Cargo-bay door: part of the shuttle that, when open, provides access to the payload.
Orbital rendezvous light: light that announces a link-up if two space vehicle.
Forward control thrusters: system that alters or stabilizes the altitude of the shuttle.
Engine: the shuttle's system of locomotion.
Star tracker: system of positioning by the stars.
Living quarters and flight deck: part of the shuttle where astronauts can work and pilot the shuttle without wearing spacesuits.
Special launch: system used to start the shuttle in an emergency.
Remote-control arm: system used to catch a satellite in need of repair.
Elevons: shuttle systems that are used as ailerons and rudders.

Photo :

EN : Spaceflight
FR : Vol spatial
ES : Vuelo espacial


NASA's Space Shuttle, is the spacecraft currently used by the United States government for its human spaceflight missions. At launch, it consists of a rust-colored external tank, two white, slender Solid Rocket Boosters, and the orbiter, a winged spaceplane which is the space shuttle in the narrow sense. The orbiter carries astronauts and payload such as satellites or space station parts into low earth orbit, into the Earth's upper atmosphere or thermosphere. The shuttle is the first orbital spacecraft designed for partial reusability. It carries payloads to low Earth orbit, provides crew rotation for the International Space Station, and performs servicing missions.

Spaceflight is the use of space technology to fly a spacecraft into and through outer space. Spaceflight is used in space exploration, and also in commercial activities like space tourism and satellite telecommunications. Additional non-commercial uses of spaceflight include space observatories, reconnaissance satellites and other earth observation satellites. A spaceflight typically begins with a rocket launch, which provides the initial thrust to overcome the force of gravity and propels the spacecraft from the surface of the Earth. Once in space, the motion of a spacecraft -- both when unpropelled and when under propulsion, is covered by the area of study called astrodynamics.

Animation : Space Shuttle launch

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Objet virtuel : Space Shuttle launch

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