Flying the Shuttle - Final Approach: Difference between revisions

Flying the Shuttle - Final Approach (view source)

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 == What are we trying to do? ==
-In the very last part of its flight, the Space Shuttle flies like an airplane. Yet,it's design is a compromise between a small launch weight, a body that is suitable for hypersonic aerobraking and can withstand the heat generated by atmospheric entry and aerodynamical flight. As a result, it's aerodynamics is more similar to a brick than to a glider. Even at its best, the glide ratio is about 4.5, much less during supersonic flight.
+In the very last part of its flight, the Space Shuttle flies like an airplane. Yet, its design is a compromise between a small launch weight, a body that is suitable for hypersonic aerobraking and can withstand the heat generated by atmospheric entry and aerodynamical flight. As a result, it's aerodynamics is more similar to a brick than to a glider. Even at its best, the glide ratio is about 4.5, much less during supersonic flight.
 As a result, the glidepath is fairly steep (about 17 degrees, more than five times of what a commercial airliner flies on approach) and the touchdown speed is unusually high (about 200 kt). Yet, the landing gear of the shuttle is as fragile as a normal landing gear, thus touchdown has to be gentle. And since the Shuttle is a glider, there is just one chance.