|
|
Officially designed the "Space Transportation System," (STS)
America's current space workhorse consists of three components: a
large external tank to hold fuel; two solid rocket boosters; and
the Orbiter, which is the space vehicle that holds the crew. The
term "Space Shuttle" applies to the entire system, but is often
used to identify just the Orbiter.
Once the Moon Race had been won, NASA sought Congressional
approval for an STS as the first step to establishing a permanent
space station. The Space Shuttle would be used to ferry people
and supplies; it would function as an orbiting scientific
laboratory; and provide the means the place satellites in orbit,
then later repair and recover them. Approval was granted in
1972 and the first flight occurred in 1981.
The Orbiter looks much like an airplane and is about the size
of a DC-9 jet airplane. Total height is about 184 feet, about half
that of the tall, slim Saturn V rocket; Wingspan is about 78
feet. With the exception of its windows the entire Orbiter is
covered with insulation to protect it from the heat generated
during reentry. On the underside, where reentry heat is extreme,
there around 23,000 individual ceramic coated, silica fiber tiles
that prevent it from being incinerated over the course of dozens
of reentry's.
Unlike other rockets before them, which lifted off slowly and
seemingly reluctantly, the Space Shuttle leaves the launch pad
within three seconds after ignition. A thrust of almost six
million pounds is delivered by the solid rockets with over another
million pounds created by the main engines. About two minutes
after liftoff, the solid rocket boosters burn out and falls away.
About eight minutes later, the larger external tank separates and
falls away. |
 |
Space Shuttle
Discovery
Premier Series. 1/100th scale
9.75" wingspan x 14.25" long.
No. USS1D-P5. Only $194.95 |
 |
Shuttle with tank and
boosters
Premier Series. Premier Series. 1/146th scale.
6.5" wingspan x 16" long.
No USS1D-P2. Only $249.95
Shuttle with
tank and boosters
Standard Series. 1/100th scale.
9" wingspan x 25" long.
No. USS1D-S5. Only $259.95
Standard Series. 1/200th scale.
4.5" wingspan x 11" tall.
No. USS1D-S6. Only $79.95 |
 |
 |
Space Shuttle
Standard Series - 3 sizes.
Large - 1/100th scale - 9.25" x 14.5"
No. USS1D-S1. Only $109.95
Medium - 1/144th scale - 6.25" x 10"
No. USS1D-S2. Only $79.95
Small - 1/200th scale - 4.5" x 7.25"
No. USS1D-S3. Only $59.95 |
Space Shuttle
with Working Doors
Standard Series. 1/200th scale.
12" wingspan x 14" long.
No. USS1D-SW. Only $179.95 |
 |
Shuttle on
Boeing 747-200
Standard Series. 1/200th scale.
9.25" wingspan x 14" long.
No. USS1D-ST. Only $129.95
|
|
|
