The US space shuttle's main engine

[Dennis G]

http://www.mynra.org/modules/topnews/assets/Topnews-021104.jpg

[farmgirl]

Cool pic Dennis....

My step brother is a rocket scientist..... is too.... he's on an advisory committee for NASA. :D

[ChuckThunder]

http://www.mynra.org/modules/topnews/assets/Topnews-021104.jpg

Not changed since the 80's...?

[Uncle Sam]

That's the engine...or part of the engine??

[Seoulstriker]

isn't that the warp drive?

[cut]

pink.....how...tasteful? I always knew americans were eurotrash at heart.

[flickme]

I just love NASA's taste in colors. All the hot pink and neon green. Awesome. Cool pic though.

[usa320]

My guess is most parts are painted different colors for easier identification.

Anyway- i was never too fond of the Shuttle- granted it did its job, but we definately could have done a far better job of building it.

It sits atop thousands of tons of high explosives, has a million moving parts and is built by the lowest bidder.

I think we really shoulda spent a bit more time and funds to make it a better ship.

As for the Engines, i recall reading that the OMS and Main Engines on the shuttles were replaced in the last round of Mid-Life upgrades.

[Ratamacue]

The Shuttle isn't a bad vehicle at all. The problem is that we're reusing the same Shuttles from over 20 years ago. Granted, they're practically rebuilt between launches but things are still bound to go wrong when you keep them in service too long.

My guess is that as we speak companies like Lockheed Martin are drawing up designs for a new Orbiter. Capsules like Soyuz can only do so much and don't have near the capabilities of the Space Shuttle, but are far safer. Have the Russians ever lost a man in space? (just wondering)

As for the "sitting atop tons of high explosives," you got a better method to enter orbit that doesn't cost trillions to operate? The SRB's are required to get into orbit and the fuel tank is the only way the shuttle can maintain engine fuel during launch--and if you run out of fuel while in orbit, you're in a pretty pickle.

[Tane Angle]

You give me a tax raise, I'll give you a new transport. p-)

[farmgirl]

You give me a tax raise, I'll give you a new transport. p-)


The DPR speaks..... p-)

[Tane Angle]

"It's probably just some local fisherman...out for a midnight solo pleasure cruise...in eel infested waters."

[farmgirl]

"It's probably just some local fisherman...out for a midnight solo pleasure cruise...in eel infested waters."


rofl

"He's right on top of us. I wonder if he is using the same wind we are using."

[Rantanplan]

The US space shuttle's main engine? Hmmm................

http://www.homevideos.com/freezeframes33/pettycoat243.jpeg