RTLS

[Jigster]

Would someone please explane the physics on how a 500 ton orbiter can do a 180 degree pitch over at mach 7 with the main fuel tank still attached, continue backwards at nearly the same speed (into it's 5000 degree exhaust plumes as well) slow to zero mph going backwards, then glide back to Kennedy at a 65 degree angle below the horizon, being careful not to pull the wings off (due to cargo)?

And what has that got to do with AH you ask?

Maybe the NASA boys figured out how to calculate some of the um, well, uber manuvers we can't seem to explain  

That or they discovered real-time lag  

- Jig

[CyranoAH]

Hehe and surely NASA pilots are referring to a wingless c-hog when they define the shuttle:

"Flies like a brick, lands like a shoe"  

Daniel, aka CyranoAH

[Naso]

 

Originally posted by Jigster:
Would someone please explane the physics on how a 500 ton orbiter can do a 180 degree pitch over at mach 7 with the main fuel tank still attached, continue backwards at nearly the same speed (into it's 5000 degree exhaust plumes as well) slow to zero mph going backwards, then glide back to Kennedy at a 65 degree angle below the horizon, being careful not to pull the wings off (due to cargo)?

Simple...

It's clearly overmodeled.

HTC please fix it, or I quit.

 

[Jigster]

I know they are rocket scientists and all, but come on, even with the computer flying, that manuver seems highly unlikely.

The diagram for the RTLS manuver looks like a C-hog that got it's tail shot off while climbing straight up.

I guess we'll just have to wait till a major malfunction happens and they have to try it  

[Dinger]

Bet the NF-104 could do it.  Well, maybe not the mach-7 part.

[This message has been edited by Dinger (edited 11-07-2000).]

[Spatula]

It was directly modelled from the FW-190

[This message has been edited by Spatula (edited 11-07-2000).]