How does the space shuttle roll on launch?

radiogoober · May 21, 2012

Hi all,

Question: how does the space shuttle roll right cater it launches? If you watch the takeoff it rolls shortly after take off, I think resulting in the shuttle exiting tht atmosphere upside down. So how does it initiate that first roll? Is it a function if the wings (ailerons?) Also why does it enter upside down? 🙂 My guess is that for visibility its better to see the earth and allow for communications than being bottom to earth, but why not flip once in orbit?

Mac'nCheese · May 21, 2012

radiogoober said:
Hi all,

Question: how does the space shuttle roll right cater it launches? If you watch the takeoff it rolls shortly after take off, I think resulting in the shuttle exiting tht atmosphere upside down. So how does it initiate that first roll? Is it a function if the wings (ailerons?) Also why does it enter upside down? 🙂 My guess is that for visibility its better to see the earth and allow for communications than being bottom to earth, but why not flip once in orbit?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roll_program

iJohnHenry · May 21, 2012

radiogoober said:
My guess is that for visibility its better to see the earth and allow for communications than being bottom to earth,

Probably.

radiogoober said:
but why not flip once in orbit?

Nothing to see.

And perhaps the solid bottom protects it better from space dust and solar radiation?

nissan.gtp · May 21, 2012

I was guessing it was done by thrust-vectoring the main engines.

The Google says yes:

It's achieved by gimbling the main engines itself the three SSME the main engines and also by gimbling the two solid rocket booster nozzles to achieve that roll profile.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/sts115/launch/qa-leinbach.html

quagmire · May 21, 2012

It's tough to tell by video.

Go to 6:20. There doesn't appear to be any movement of its flight controls on the wings. The SSME's( since they are gimbaled) probably cause the roll.

As to why it rolls, I am not 100% sure either. But, it does flip back over to jettison the ET and stays that way until it does the pitch maneuver to have the ISS crew examine the tiles.

balamw · May 21, 2012

Shouldn't this all be past tense, since we're never going to see it again. "How did the space shuttle roll on launch." 🙁 😡 😉

B

quagmire · May 21, 2012

balamw said:
Shouldn't this all be past tense, since we're never going to see it again. "How did the space shuttle roll on launch." 🙁 😡 😉

B

There is one more launch, but any rolling action will be done by the SCA enroute to LA. 😉 😛

David085 · May 21, 2012

Oh, No, The shuttle had a accident, Kidding...

fat jez · May 22, 2012

quagmire said:
As to why it rolls, I am not 100% sure either. But, it does flip back over to jettison the ET and stays that way until it does the pitch maneuver to have the ISS crew examine the tiles.

Here's your answer: http://stason.org/TULARC/science-en...does-the-shuttle-roll-just-after-liftoff.html

Search

Search

How does the space shuttle roll on launch?

radiogoober

macrumors 6502a

Mac'nCheese

Suspended

iJohnHenry

macrumors P6

nissan.gtp

macrumors 6502

quagmire

macrumors 604

balamw

Moderator emeritus

quagmire

macrumors 604

David085

macrumors 6502a

fat jez

macrumors 68020

Our Staff