How did the Orbiter Vehicle work_ (Space Shuttle)-(1080p)

The term "Orbiter Vehicle" typically refers to the Space Shuttle Orbiter, which was a key component of NASA's Space Shuttle program. The Space Shuttle Orbiter was a reusable spacecraft designed to transport astronauts and cargo into space, perform various missions, and then return safely to Earth. Here's a brief overview of how the Space Shuttle Orbiter worked:

Launch and Ascent:

The Space Shuttle Orbiter was mounted on the Space Shuttle stack, which included the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) and the External Tank (ET).
During launch, the SRBs provided the initial thrust to propel the Space Shuttle into space. They were jettisoned once their fuel was expended.
The Orbiter's three main engines, located at the rear of the Orbiter, were powered by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen from the ET. These engines provided the thrust needed to reach orbit.
The ET was jettisoned when its propellants were depleted, and it burned up upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere.
Orbital Operations:

Once in orbit, the Space Shuttle Orbiter could carry out a variety of missions, including deploying satellites, conducting scientific experiments, and performing spacewalks.
The Orbiter had a cargo bay with a payload capacity of up to 65,000 pounds (29,500 kilograms), allowing it to carry large payloads and satellites into space.
Reentry and Landing:

At the end of its mission, the Space Shuttle Orbiter would deorbit by firing its orbital maneuvering engines to slow down and descend from orbit.
During reentry, the Orbiter would encounter the intense heat of atmospheric friction. To protect it from burning up, it had heat-resistant tiles covering its exterior.
The Orbiter would glide back to Earth like a plane, using its delta wings and a series of S-shaped turns to control its descent and reduce speed.
It would land on a runway, typically at NASA's Kennedy Space Center or Edwards Air Force Base, making it the only spacecraft capable of a runway landing.
Post-Mission:

After landing, the Orbiter would undergo maintenance and preparation for its next mission, making it a reusable spacecraft.
The Space Shuttle Orbiter was designed to be reused for multiple missions, which was intended to reduce the cost of spaceflight. However, each Orbiter required extensive inspections, refurbishments, and maintenance between flights, which made the program expensive to operate.

The Space Shuttle program operated from 1981 to 2011 and included a fleet of five Orbiters: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour. Tragically, both Challenger (STS-51-L) and Columbia (STS-107) were lost in catastrophic accidents, leading to the loss of their crews. The Space Shuttle program represented a significant era in human spaceflight, but it was retired in 2011, and NASA has since transitioned to other spacecraft and launch systems for its missions to space.