03. And, why do spaceships risk blowing up at launch, right when they start? (A K2S Question)

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For launch the Space Shuttle's external tank is loaded with about 230 thousand pounds of liquid hydrogen and 1.4 million pounds of liquid oxygen. Additionally, just for the ascent part of flight, each solid rocket booster will burn approximately a million pounds of solid propellant. These are highly flammable substances. There are many plans and emergency procedures for the crew to escape during launch. For more information on launch, go to the Internet at: (See CDROM) http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/home/returntoflight.html

Answer provided by Futron Corporation


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


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