Introduction
In our first interim report we did a brief research on Reentry and Deorbit burn procedure and discussed how it is achieved. Now in this interim report we discussed on how the space shuttle maneuver does and positions itself in reentry. Furthermore we researched on how the shuttle is protected from extreme heat during reentry and extremely cold temperature in the space.
The Space Shuttle Orbital Maneuvering System:
OMS is a system that contains liquid propellant rocket engines that are installed in the aft section of the fuselage. These engines provide thrust and exoatmospheric velocity changes in orbit and de orbit. The OMS is installed in two pods placed in either side; the engines can produce up to 1500 pounds of thrust. Each pod is equipped with Reaction Control System (RMS) and they are referred to as the OMS/RCS Pods.
http://envoid.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/odse.gif
Each pod has one OMS engine and equipments (Hardware) that pressurize, store and distribute the propellant for maneuvers, the OME along with OMS/RCS burn monomethyl hydrazine fuel (CH3NHNH2) and nitrogen tetroxide oxidizer (N2O4).
These elements when combined together they burn and ignite automatically without the help of a spark or oxygen. The Orbital Maneuvering System is pressurized by helium and uses nitrogen liquid as propellant.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1wtadqGaaPs/TF5xJrnsJDI/AAAAAAAAO8Y/tZItPC5B41g/s1600-h/tmp3C11_thumb3.jpg
The OMS engine is capable of 1,000 starts and 15 hours of cumulative firing and can be reused for 100 missions with only minor repair and maintenance.
There are two electromechanical gimbal actuators installed in each engine, this actuator provides control direction in pitch and yaw (thrust vector control).
http://static.ddmcdn.com/gif/space-shuttle-oms-enginea.jpg
OMS/RCS:
The RCS uses 44 thrusters arranged in 4 groups, they are used to control shuttle altitude,
References: http://www.klabs.org/DEI/Processor/shuttle/sp-504/section_4/section_4_05_guidance_navigation_control.htm http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/shutref/orbiter/oms/overview.html http://www.docstoc.com/docs/124765263/Orbital-Maneuvering-System-_OMS_ http://what-when-how.com/space-science-and-technology/space-shuttle-orbiter/ http://science.howstuffworks.com/space-shuttle2.htm http://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/pdf/584728main_Wings-ch4b-pgs182-199.pdf