Space Shuttle

Orbiter
Space Shuttle
Orbiter

Soyuz

Relative Size Comparison

Orbiter Cutaway
Orbiter rolled from Orbiter Processing Facility to Orbiter lifted for mating to External Tank
Vehicle Assembly Building
Orbiter processing for flight.
Launch Complex 39
Space Shuttle
Launch sequence
Space Shuttle
in orbit
 Space ShuttleThermal Protection System

700o F Felt Insulation

1200o F Low Temp White Tiles

2325o F High Temp Black Tiles

3000o F Reinforced Carbon Carbon

Bottom Surface

Top Surface

Gap Filler

Orbiter
bottom side
tiles
Orbital maneuvering system engines fire to Plasma build up around Orbiter begins at
slow Orbiter enough to allow it to fall from orbit Mach 25 and continues until subsonic

Plasma glow from inside cockpit IR thermal images showing heat build up on exterior surfaces

Orbiter
reentry
and
landing
sequence
 Rudder/
Remote
Speedbrake
Manipulator
End
Effector
Deployable Space Shuttle
Payload Main Engine

Remote
Manipulator Orbital
Aft Flight System Maneuvering
Deck System
Workstation Engine

Reaction Control
Crewmember Maneuvering
on Treadmill Commander Engines
in Middec k and Orbital
Pilot Maneuvering
Workstations System
Pod
Forward
Reaction Fuel
Control Tanks
System
Motors

Cryogenic Storage Tanks for Water,

Oxygen, Hydrogen

Main Landing
Crewmember Gear
In Waste
Management
Compartment
Airlock,
Airlock Hatch

Orbiter Crew Compartment

Space Shuttle Orbiter
Nose Landing Gear Galley
Lower Equipment Bay
Orbiter crew module during
assembly. Pressure module
is covered with aluminized
mylar foil for insulation.
Cockpit cover, window
assembly is to left.
Following
installation
entire area
is covered
with
Insulation
tiles
Crew compartment cutaway
Orbiter Middeck

AFT

Waste Management Compartment

Airlock
Airlock Hach Middeck Lockers

Side Hatch

Avionics Bay 3
Middeck Lockers Galley

Starboard
Starboard

Forward,
Nose

Port

AFT

Airlock
Orbiter Flight Deck
Looking Forward Orbiter Flight Deck Mid Deck
Seat Layout Seat Layout
Flight Deck controls and
Displays, looking forward

Images on the left are early in

the program.

Images on the right are

More recent glass cockpit
Where analog gauges and
jndicators have been
Replaced by computer
screens
Orbiter Flight Deck during launch phase
Forward flight deck.
At top, commander shortly after orbit insertion
At bottom, crew activity during mission
Aft flight
Deck during missions.
Right bottom, view out
The overhead
middeck windows
Flight deck, looking aft.
At top, crew prepared for ascent phase
At bottom, activity during mission