| Thermal Protection Payload
Bay
Propulsion
System
During entry, the thermal
protection system covering the entire orbiter
provides the protection for the orbiter to
survive the extremely high temperatures
encountered during entry. The thermal protection
system is reusable (it does not burn off or
ablate during entry).
The unpowered orbiter
glides to Earth and lands on a runway like an
airplane. Nominal touchdown speed varies from 184
to 196 knots (213 to 225 miles per hour).
The main landing gear
wheels have a braking system for stopping the
orbiter on the runway, and the nose wheel is
steerable, again similar to a conventional
airplane. Landing sites are located at the KSC
and Edwards Air Force Base.
|
