02. Is there any limit as to how large a space shuttle can be? What is the biggest space shuttle that you could fly to space? (A K2S Question)

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A space shuttle could be any size so long as it can be launched from Earth. The limiting factor usually is the lift capability of the booster—in the case of the NASA Space Shuttle, the two solid rocket boosters plus the three main engines. The NASA Space Shuttle weighs about 4.5 million pounds at lift off, and the total boost thrust is about 7.8 million pounds. After the orbiter lands, it weighs about 230,000 pounds, depending on how much of the payload is returned. (Ref.1)

Ref 1.NASA, National Space Transportation System Reference, Volume 1 Systems and Facilities, June 1988. This document is available on the Internet at: http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/stsreftoc.html#sts-umbilical-doors


Answer provided by Jon H. Brown


Image:K2S logosmall.jpg Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer


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