Rockets – The Space Shuttle Shuttle Program

Replacement for Saturn V Saturn V used to send men to the moon 1968-72 Launched Skylab Space Station 1973 250,000 lbs. To earth orbit Shuttle 65,000 pounds to earth orbit Shuttle 4.4 million lbs. 6 million lbs. thrust Saturn V 6.0 million lbs. 7.5 million lbs. thrust Shuttle Program

Initial Reusable Design - 1970 Expected to fly weekly – 52 flights/year High Development costs required a more conservative design Shuttle Program

The Compromise Solid Fuel Boosters Expendable tank Shuttle Program

First Flight - 1981 Use of Solid Fuel limits safety factor at launch Can’t shut down the solids once ignited Shuttle Program

Final Costs Flying only 8 Shuttles per year Each flight costs $500,000,000 (Half a billion dollars) High cost caused by few flights divided by extensive maintenance and launch expenses Shuttle Program

Critical Flight Profiles - Launch Shuttle Program

Challenger – January 1986 Shuttle Program

Critical Flight Profiles - Reentry Shuttle Program

Shuttle Program

Shuttle Tiles - Side View Shuttle Program

Shuttle Tiles – Bottom View Shuttle Program

Shuttle Program

AF Photo over ABQ Shuttle Program

The Columbia is Lost Feb 1, 2003 Shuttle Program

In Memory of those who have Perished Shuttle Program