The Space Shuttle is probably the most complex machine ever built by mankind. It represents a big leap of technology into the realm of reusable space vehicles. Check out some of the specifications for this fantastic machine:

Shuttle Fleet: Enterprise, Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, Endeavor

Cost of Endeavor: $ 2.1 billion

Total Weight at Lift-off: 2.04 million kg (4.5 million pounds)

Maximum Payload Weight: 26,786 kg (59,000 pounds)

Shuttle System Length: 56.08 m (184 feet)

Orbiter Length: 37.19 m (122 feet)

Orbiter Wingspan: 23.77 m (78 feet)

Engines: 2 solid rocket boosters, 3 main engines, 2 orbital thrusters

• Solid rocket boosters:
• 454,000 kg (1 million pounds) of propellant
• Each provides 1,194,020 kg (1315 tons) of thrust (sea level)
• Burn time - 2 minutes and 2 seconds
• Reusable
• Main engines:
• Utilize 547,524 kg (603 tons) of liquid oxygen and 91,708 kg (101 tons) of liquid hydrogen in external tank
• Each provides 154,360 kg (170 tons) of thrust (sea level)
• Burn time - 8 minutes
• Reusable
• Orbital maneuvering system engines:
• Each delivers 2,452 kg (2.7 tons) of thrust

Hottest Skin Temperature on Re-entry: 1650 degrees C

Electrical Power System: Fuel cells generating 7,000 - 12,000 watts

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