Mixing
What are these membranes at the aft end of the Shuttle that get torn off during lift off?
$begingroup$
The link to the Space Shuttle launch video.
At 1:30 mark, three circular disks get torn away. It happens immediately after the engine ignition begins.
Here is a cropped image of the Discovery after take off. Image source: Wikipedia page for Space Shuttle Discovery. These disks seems universal of all launches.
What are they and why does this happen? What function do they serve?
Adding images from the video for reference:
launch nasa space-shuttle
edited Jan 25 at 22:21
IconDaemon
1193
asked Jan 24 at 12:03
karthikeyankarthikeyan
2,2781429
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The link to the Space Shuttle launch video.
At 1:30 mark, three circular disks get torn away. It happens immediately after the engine ignition begins.
Here is a cropped image of the Discovery after take off. Image source: Wikipedia page for Space Shuttle Discovery. These disks seems universal of all launches.
What are they and why does this happen? What function do they serve?
Adding images from the video for reference:
launch nasa space-shuttle
edited Jan 25 at 22:21
IconDaemon
1193
asked Jan 24 at 12:03
karthikeyankarthikeyan
2,2781429
$endgroup$
2
$begingroup$
I suggest you watch the Space Shuttle Ultra Slow Motion Launch video to better see that the covers are torn by the intense 'sound'.
$endgroup$
– amI
Jan 25 at 7:44
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The link to the Space Shuttle launch video.
At 1:30 mark, three circular disks get torn away. It happens immediately after the engine ignition begins.
Here is a cropped image of the Discovery after take off. Image source: Wikipedia page for Space Shuttle Discovery. These disks seems universal of all launches.
What are they and why does this happen? What function do they serve?
Adding images from the video for reference:
launch nasa space-shuttle
edited Jan 25 at 22:21
IconDaemon
1193
asked Jan 24 at 12:03
karthikeyankarthikeyan
2,2781429
$endgroup$
The link to the Space Shuttle launch video.
At 1:30 mark, three circular disks get torn away. It happens immediately after the engine ignition begins.
Here is a cropped image of the Discovery after take off. Image source: Wikipedia page for Space Shuttle Discovery. These disks seems universal of all launches.
What are they and why does this happen? What function do they serve?
Adding images from the video for reference:
launch nasa space-shuttle
launch nasa space-shuttle
edited Jan 25 at 22:21
IconDaemon
1193
asked Jan 24 at 12:03
karthikeyankarthikeyan
2,2781429
edited Jan 25 at 22:21
IconDaemon
1193
asked Jan 24 at 12:03
karthikeyankarthikeyan
2,2781429
edited Jan 25 at 22:21
IconDaemon
1193
edited Jan 25 at 22:21
IconDaemon
1193
edited Jan 25 at 22:21
IconDaemon
1193
1193
asked Jan 24 at 12:03
karthikeyankarthikeyan
2,2781429
asked Jan 24 at 12:03
karthikeyankarthikeyan
2,2781429
asked Jan 24 at 12:03
karthikeyankarthikeyan
2,2781429
2,2781429
2
$begingroup$
I suggest you watch the Space Shuttle Ultra Slow Motion Launch video to better see that the covers are torn by the intense 'sound'.
$endgroup$
– amI
Jan 25 at 7:44
add a comment |
2
$begingroup$
I suggest you watch the Space Shuttle Ultra Slow Motion Launch video to better see that the covers are torn by the intense 'sound'.
$endgroup$
– amI
Jan 25 at 7:44
2
2
$begingroup$
I suggest you watch the Space Shuttle Ultra Slow Motion Launch video to better see that the covers are torn by the intense 'sound'.
$endgroup$
– amI
Jan 25 at 7:44
$begingroup$
I suggest you watch the Space Shuttle Ultra Slow Motion Launch video to better see that the covers are torn by the intense 'sound'.
$endgroup$
– amI
Jan 25 at 7:44
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Those are covers on the RCS thrusters. They're on all the other thrusters too, to prevent rain etc. from getting into the thrusters.
For most of the program, the covers were butcher paper. Towards the end, we switched to using Tyvek.
The covers are designed to get blown off during launch. On the OMS pods, it's mostly done by the shockwave of the igniting engines. The RCS covers on the nose of the Shuttle get blown off by the air rushing over the shuttle after liftoff.
Here is a cutaway drawing of the OMS pod. The shaded areas are part of the RCS.
answered Jan 24 at 12:34
HobbesHobbes
93.8k2261416
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Woah! I didnt expect such a comprehensive question in quora! Thanks for the link. And I did not know they were covering the RCS thrusters!
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 12:38
$begingroup$
@rainer Does each circular hole indicate a single RCS or there are 3 holes in total for the one RCS? Also, thanks for the picture.
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:31
$begingroup$
Do these protective membranes tear themselves or is there a mechanism to tear them?
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:32
1
$begingroup$
ask @RainerP. , he added the image.
$endgroup$
– Hobbes
Jan 24 at 15:10
2
$begingroup$
Image taken from another answer (@OrganicMarble)
$endgroup$
– Rainer P.
Jan 24 at 15:29
|
show 3 more comments
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1 Answer
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1 Answer
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active
oldest
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active
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$begingroup$
Those are covers on the RCS thrusters. They're on all the other thrusters too, to prevent rain etc. from getting into the thrusters.
For most of the program, the covers were butcher paper. Towards the end, we switched to using Tyvek.
The covers are designed to get blown off during launch. On the OMS pods, it's mostly done by the shockwave of the igniting engines. The RCS covers on the nose of the Shuttle get blown off by the air rushing over the shuttle after liftoff.
Here is a cutaway drawing of the OMS pod. The shaded areas are part of the RCS.
answered Jan 24 at 12:34
HobbesHobbes
93.8k2261416
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Woah! I didnt expect such a comprehensive question in quora! Thanks for the link. And I did not know they were covering the RCS thrusters!
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 12:38
$begingroup$
@rainer Does each circular hole indicate a single RCS or there are 3 holes in total for the one RCS? Also, thanks for the picture.
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:31
$begingroup$
Do these protective membranes tear themselves or is there a mechanism to tear them?
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:32
1
$begingroup$
ask @RainerP. , he added the image.
$endgroup$
– Hobbes
Jan 24 at 15:10
2
$begingroup$
Image taken from another answer (@OrganicMarble)
$endgroup$
– Rainer P.
Jan 24 at 15:29
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
Those are covers on the RCS thrusters. They're on all the other thrusters too, to prevent rain etc. from getting into the thrusters.
For most of the program, the covers were butcher paper. Towards the end, we switched to using Tyvek.
The covers are designed to get blown off during launch. On the OMS pods, it's mostly done by the shockwave of the igniting engines. The RCS covers on the nose of the Shuttle get blown off by the air rushing over the shuttle after liftoff.
Here is a cutaway drawing of the OMS pod. The shaded areas are part of the RCS.
answered Jan 24 at 12:34
HobbesHobbes
93.8k2261416
$endgroup$
1
$begingroup$
Woah! I didnt expect such a comprehensive question in quora! Thanks for the link. And I did not know they were covering the RCS thrusters!
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 12:38
$begingroup$
@rainer Does each circular hole indicate a single RCS or there are 3 holes in total for the one RCS? Also, thanks for the picture.
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:31
$begingroup$
Do these protective membranes tear themselves or is there a mechanism to tear them?
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:32
1
$begingroup$
ask @RainerP. , he added the image.
$endgroup$
– Hobbes
Jan 24 at 15:10
2
$begingroup$
Image taken from another answer (@OrganicMarble)
$endgroup$
– Rainer P.
Jan 24 at 15:29
|
show 3 more comments
$begingroup$
Those are covers on the RCS thrusters. They're on all the other thrusters too, to prevent rain etc. from getting into the thrusters.
For most of the program, the covers were butcher paper. Towards the end, we switched to using Tyvek.
The covers are designed to get blown off during launch. On the OMS pods, it's mostly done by the shockwave of the igniting engines. The RCS covers on the nose of the Shuttle get blown off by the air rushing over the shuttle after liftoff.
Here is a cutaway drawing of the OMS pod. The shaded areas are part of the RCS.
answered Jan 24 at 12:34
HobbesHobbes
93.8k2261416
$endgroup$
Those are covers on the RCS thrusters. They're on all the other thrusters too, to prevent rain etc. from getting into the thrusters.
For most of the program, the covers were butcher paper. Towards the end, we switched to using Tyvek.
The covers are designed to get blown off during launch. On the OMS pods, it's mostly done by the shockwave of the igniting engines. The RCS covers on the nose of the Shuttle get blown off by the air rushing over the shuttle after liftoff.
Here is a cutaway drawing of the OMS pod. The shaded areas are part of the RCS.
answered Jan 24 at 12:34
HobbesHobbes
93.8k2261416
edited Jan 24 at 18:22
answered Jan 24 at 12:34
HobbesHobbes
93.8k2261416
answered Jan 24 at 12:34
HobbesHobbes
93.8k2261416
answered Jan 24 at 12:34
HobbesHobbes
93.8k2261416
93.8k2261416
1
$begingroup$
Woah! I didnt expect such a comprehensive question in quora! Thanks for the link. And I did not know they were covering the RCS thrusters!
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 12:38
$begingroup$
@rainer Does each circular hole indicate a single RCS or there are 3 holes in total for the one RCS? Also, thanks for the picture.
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:31
$begingroup$
Do these protective membranes tear themselves or is there a mechanism to tear them?
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:32
1
$begingroup$
ask @RainerP. , he added the image.
$endgroup$
– Hobbes
Jan 24 at 15:10
2
$begingroup$
Image taken from another answer (@OrganicMarble)
$endgroup$
– Rainer P.
Jan 24 at 15:29
|
show 3 more comments
1
$begingroup$
Woah! I didnt expect such a comprehensive question in quora! Thanks for the link. And I did not know they were covering the RCS thrusters!
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 12:38
$begingroup$
@rainer Does each circular hole indicate a single RCS or there are 3 holes in total for the one RCS? Also, thanks for the picture.
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:31
$begingroup$
Do these protective membranes tear themselves or is there a mechanism to tear them?
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:32
1
$begingroup$
ask @RainerP. , he added the image.
$endgroup$
– Hobbes
Jan 24 at 15:10
2
$begingroup$
Image taken from another answer (@OrganicMarble)
$endgroup$
– Rainer P.
Jan 24 at 15:29
1
1
$begingroup$
Woah! I didnt expect such a comprehensive question in quora! Thanks for the link. And I did not know they were covering the RCS thrusters!
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 12:38
$begingroup$
Woah! I didnt expect such a comprehensive question in quora! Thanks for the link. And I did not know they were covering the RCS thrusters!
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 12:38
$begingroup$
@rainer Does each circular hole indicate a single RCS or there are 3 holes in total for the one RCS? Also, thanks for the picture.
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:31
$begingroup$
@rainer Does each circular hole indicate a single RCS or there are 3 holes in total for the one RCS? Also, thanks for the picture.
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:31
$begingroup$
Do these protective membranes tear themselves or is there a mechanism to tear them?
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:32
$begingroup$
Do these protective membranes tear themselves or is there a mechanism to tear them?
$endgroup$
– karthikeyan
Jan 24 at 13:32
1
1
$begingroup$
ask @RainerP. , he added the image.
$endgroup$
– Hobbes
Jan 24 at 15:10
$begingroup$
ask @RainerP. , he added the image.
$endgroup$
– Hobbes
Jan 24 at 15:10
2
2
$begingroup$
Image taken from another answer (@OrganicMarble)
$endgroup$
– Rainer P.
Jan 24 at 15:29
$begingroup$
Image taken from another answer (@OrganicMarble)
$endgroup$
– Rainer P.
Jan 24 at 15:29
|
show 3 more comments
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$begingroup$
I suggest you watch the Space Shuttle Ultra Slow Motion Launch video to better see that the covers are torn by the intense 'sound'.
$endgroup$
– amI
Jan 25 at 7:44