Space Shuttle Endeavour Tail Section (1 of 2)
The tail section of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Visible here are some more RCS thrusters, the rudder and one of two elevators, the drogue chute container (the flat area just under the rudder but above the engine bells), and the space shuttle main engine (SSME) bells. The SSMEs are actually not what get the space shuttle off the ground and achieve escape velocity; the solid rocket boosters (SRBs) do that and the SSMEs merely help. The SSMEs are mostly used for orbital maneuvering and retrofire (to break orbit and initiate reentry). During ascent, the SSMEs are fueled by the large, orange external fuel tank instead of the fuel stored onboard the shuttle itself.
The SSME bells are truly massive, and a close-up photo of an SSME removed from a shuttle can be found here (internals) and here (engine bell).
This photo of the Space Shuttle Endeavour was taken at the California Science Center, the "retirement home" (if you will) of this particular shuttle. If you live in the area, go check it out; entrance is only $2!
Space Shuttle Endeavour Tail Section (1 of 2)
The tail section of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Visible here are some more RCS thrusters, the rudder and one of two elevators, the drogue chute container (the flat area just under the rudder but above the engine bells), and the space shuttle main engine (SSME) bells. The SSMEs are actually not what get the space shuttle off the ground and achieve escape velocity; the solid rocket boosters (SRBs) do that and the SSMEs merely help. The SSMEs are mostly used for orbital maneuvering and retrofire (to break orbit and initiate reentry). During ascent, the SSMEs are fueled by the large, orange external fuel tank instead of the fuel stored onboard the shuttle itself.
The SSME bells are truly massive, and a close-up photo of an SSME removed from a shuttle can be found here (internals) and here (engine bell).
This photo of the Space Shuttle Endeavour was taken at the California Science Center, the "retirement home" (if you will) of this particular shuttle. If you live in the area, go check it out; entrance is only $2!