Thrust
Short answer: NASA's Space Shuttle, flown from 1981 to 2011, launched on two solid rocket boosters and three main engines. The Reel puts total liftoff thrust at about 7.8 million pounds: about 6.6 million from the boosters and 1.2 million from the main engines.
The boosters burned for about two minutes before separating. The footage shows rocket launch imagery.
What should you know about Thrust?
Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.
Two solid rocket boosters.
Three main engines.
Video transcript: Thrust: At Liftoff, the Shuttle Stack Made About 7.8 Million Pounds of Thrust
Did you know, to launch a space shuttle from the ground into the atmosphere, approximately 7.8 million pounds of thrust is required. This is achieved by a combination of two solid rocket boosters and three main engines. The solid rocket boosters provide the majority of the force, generating about 6.6 million pounds of thrust, while the shuttle's three main engines contribute an additional 1.2 million pounds. Together, these engines allow the shuttle to overcome Earth's gravity, pushing it through the atmosphere and reaching the necessary velocity for orbit. NOW YOU KNOW!
Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 26.8s Reel ·
The write-up
At liftoff, the shuttle stack made about 7.8 million pounds of thrust. Two solid rocket boosters did most of the work.
- Exhibit A
Boosters
Two solid rocket boosters.
- Exhibit B
Main engines
Three main engines.
- Exhibit C
Total
About 7.8 million pounds of thrust.
- Exhibit D
Era
Flew 1981 to 2011.
- Exhibit E
Separation
Boosters separated after about two minutes.
Questions people ask about Thrust
How many solid boosters?
Pair.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Boosters) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster
How many main engines?
On the orbiter.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Main engines) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle
Total liftoff thrust?
Per the Reel.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Total) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle
Which gave most thrust?
Solid fuel.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Era) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle
When did the shuttle retire?
Final flight.
Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Separation) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster
Test Your Knowledge
All quizzes →5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.
How many solid boosters?
- Two
- Four
- One
- Six
Show the answer
Answer: A. Two Pair. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Boosters) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster
How many main engines?
- Three
- Two
- Five
- One
Show the answer
Answer: A. Three On the orbiter. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Main engines) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle
Total liftoff thrust?
- About 7.8 million lb
- About 1 million lb
- About 50 million lb
- About 100,000 lb
Show the answer
Answer: A. About 7.8 million lb Per the Reel. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Total) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle
Which gave most thrust?
- The boosters
- The main engines
- Equal
- Neither
Show the answer
Answer: A. The boosters Solid fuel. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Era) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle
When did the shuttle retire?
- 2011
- 1999
- 2020
- 1986
Show the answer
Answer: A. 2011 Final flight. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Separation) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster
Cite this case file
Easterling, Marcus. "Thrust." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-360, last updated Nov 3, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/thrust/
Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/thrust/ · Last updated
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