🚀The Space Shuttle lands on a runway at Kennedy Space Center in Florida after orbiting the Earth.
🌍During orbit, the shuttle relies on the Earth's rotation to align with the landing site.
🚀To slow down, the shuttle performs a de-orbit burn and uses its remaining engines.
🛬During re-entry, the shuttle generates a plasma trail and uses its wings to control descent.
🛬The shuttle flies like a brick and has a steep descent rate, requiring precise control by the pilot.
How does the shuttle slow down during re-entry?
—The shuttle slows down by encountering denser air in the atmosphere, which creates drag.
What happens if the shuttle overshoots the landing site?
—If the shuttle overshoots, the pilot can increase the bank angle to slow down faster.
Do the shuttle's engines work during landing?
—The shuttle's main engines are used for a de-orbit burn, but during landing, the shuttle relies on its orbital maneuvering engines and aerodynamic control surfaces.
How does the shuttle create lift during re-entry?
—The shuttle uses its wings and maneuvering surfaces to generate lift, even though it has a stubby shape.
What is the role of the pilot during landing?
—The pilot manually flies the shuttle during certain stages of descent and landing, using inputs from control stick steering.
00:02In this talk, the speaker explains how the Space Shuttle lands from space.
04:46The shuttle relies on the Earth's rotation to align with the landing site.
06:26The shuttle uses its engines and re-entry path to slow down.
08:38During re-entry, the shuttle generates a plasma trail and uses its wings to control descent.
10:51The pilot manually flies the shuttle during certain stages of descent and landing.
