Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Bengaluru-560056.
(An Autonomous Institution Affiliated To VTU, Belagavi)
Department of Aeronautical Engineering
Group Activity On
“SPACE CRAFTS”
Submitted To
Department of Aeronautical Engineering
Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology, Bengaluru
for the partial fulfillment of the completion of the subject
“SPACE MECHANICS (18AE552)”
as a group activity for the academic year 2022-23
A part of curriculum in Bachelor of Engineering in
Aeronautical Engineering by
CHAITHRA K R
1DA20AE004
MONISHA V
1DA20AE009
PREMA T
1DA20AE012
SAHANA N
1DA20AE017
SANGAMESH SHETTER 1DA21AE418
Under the Guidance of
VIGNESWARAN CM (Assistant Professor)
Department of Aeronautical Engineering
Dr. Ambedkar Institute of Technology
Bengaluru-560056.
INTRODUCTION:
A spacecraft is a vehicle designed to operate in space, outside the Earth's
atmosphere. There are various types of spacecrafts, including manned and
unmanned, and they are designed for different purposes such as scientific research,
exploration, communication, and military surveillance.
Here are some examples of spacecraft:
Satellites: Satellites are unmanned spacecraft that orbit the Earth or other celestial
bodies for various purposes, such as communication, remote sensing, navigation,
and scientific research. Examples of satellites include the Hubble Space Telescope,
which has helped scientists better understand the universe, and GPS satellites,
which provide navigation services for various applications.
Probes: Probes are unmanned spacecraft that are sent on missions to explore
planets, moons, asteroids, and comets. They carry scientific instruments to gather
data and send it back to Earth. Examples of probes include the Voyager spacecraft,
which have explored the outer solar system, and the Mars rovers, which are
studying the surface of Mars.
Spacecraft for human spaceflight: These are spacecraft that are designed to carry
humans into space. Examples include the Apollo spacecraft, which carried
astronauts to the moon, and the Space Shuttle, which carried astronauts to and
from low Earth orbit.
Spacecraft for cargo transport: These are spacecraft designed to transport cargo,
such as supplies, equipment, and experiments, to and from space. Examples include
the Russian Progress spacecraft and the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
Military spacecraft: These are spacecraft designed for military purposes, such as
surveillance, reconnaissance, and communication. Examples include the US
National Reconnaissance Office's spy satellites and China's Shenlong spaceplane.
SPACE SHUTTLE
The space shuttle is a type of spacecraft that was used by NASA for manned
missions to and from low Earth orbit from 1981 until 2011. There were five space
shuttles built: Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis, and Endeavour.
The Space Shuttle was a reusable spacecraft operated by NASA from 1981 to 2011.
It was designed to launch like a rocket and land like a glider, and was capable of
carrying a crew of up to seven astronauts and payloads weighing up to 27,500
kilograms (60,600 pounds) into low Earth orbit.
The Space Shuttle consisted of three main components: the Orbiter, which was the
spacecraft itself; the External Tank, which contained the fuel for the Shuttle's main
engines; and the Solid Rocket Boosters, which provided additional thrust during
launch.
The Space Shuttle made its first flight on April 12, 1981, with the launch of the STS-1
mission. Over the course of its career, the Space Shuttle flew a total of 135
missions, with the last mission (STS-135) launching on July 8, 2011.
The Space Shuttle was used for a wide variety of tasks, including the deployment
and servicing of satellites, the assembly and maintenance of the International Space
Station, and the conduct of scientific research in space. It was also used to deploy
and repair the Hubble Space Telescope, which revolutionized our understanding of
the universe.
The Space Shuttle was retired in 2011 after over 30 years of service, primarily due
to the high cost of maintenance and the availability of alternative launch vehicles.
Despite its retirement, the legacy of the Space Shuttle program continues to inspire
and inform our efforts to explore and understand the universe.
Apollo 11
The primary objective of Apollo 11 was to complete a national goal set by President
John F. Kennedy on May 25, 1961: perform a crewed lunar landing and return to
Earth.
Apollo 11, U.S. spaceflight during which commander Neil Armstrong and lunar
module pilot Edwin (“Buzz”) Aldrin, Jr., on July 20, 1969, became the first people to
land on the Moon and walk the lunar surface.
 Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, into an initial Earthorbit of 114 by 116 miles.
The apollo 11 was launched into space on the
saturn V rocket , which is the largest rocket ever
built.
The Apollo spacecraft had three parts:
A command module (CM) with a cabin for
the three astronauts, the only part that returned
to Earth.
A service module (SM), which supported
the command module with propulsion, electrical
power, oxygen, and water.
A lunar module (LM) that had two stages—
a descent stage for landing on the Moon and an
ascent stage to place the astronauts back into
lunar orbit.
The decent stage held the equipment that
is necessary for the astronauts to carry
expirements on moon.
When those long 5ft (1.5m)long probe
touched the surface , flash is produced inside
the cabinet telling the astronauts to shut down
the engine.
Twelve thruster jet were used to make
small movement in the space.
Description
Stage 1
Stage 2
42miles/ 68km above Earth
103miles/ 166km above Earth
Stage 3
Launch date
Launch site
fired to start the crew on their
376,400-km (234,000-mile) journey to
the Moon
16 July 1969 at 7:02 pm GMT+5:30
Cape
Aposelene altitude
Crew size
Inclination
Launch mass
122.4 kilometers (66.1 nmi)
3
1.25 degrees
109,646 pounds (49,735 kg)
Landing mass
10,873 pounds (4,932 kg)
Mission duration
Manufacturer
Distance
8 days, 3 hours, 18 minutes, 35 seconds
North American Rockwell
953,054 miles
Landing
July 24, 1969; 12:50 p.m.
Recovery Ship
USS Hornetuly 24, 1969; 12:50 p.m.
The Soyuz spacecraft
The Soyuz spacecraft is a Russian spacecraft that has been used for manned
space missions since the 1960s. It is a versatile spacecraft that has been used for
various purposes, including crewed missions to the International Space Station
(ISS), orbital and suborbital flights, and scientific research. Here are some of the
features of the Soyuz spacecraft:
Crew size: The Soyuz spacecraft can carry up to three crew members. It has
three seats that are arranged in a line, with the commander in the center seat and
the other two crew members on either side.
Modules: The Soyuz spacecraft consists of three modules: the Orbital Module
(OM), the Descent Module (DM), and the Service Module (SM). The OM is used for
storage and as a workspace, the DM is used for the crew during launch and reentry, and the SM provides propulsion, power, and life support.
Docking mechanism: The Soyuz spacecraft has a docking mechanism that
allows it to dock with other spacecraft, such as the ISS. The docking mechanism
uses a probe-and-cone system that allows for a secure connection.
Parachutes: During re-entry, the Soyuz spacecraft uses a series of parachutes
to slow its descent and land safely on the ground. The spacecraft has three
parachutes: a drogue chute, a main chute, and a reserve chute.
Thrusters: The Soyuz spacecraft has thrusters that are used for attitude
control, orbital maneuvers, and deorbit burn. The thrusters are located on the
Service Module.
Life support systems: The Soyuz spacecraft has life support systems that
provide the crew with oxygen, water, and other necessities during the mission. The
systems are in the Service Module.
Overall, the Soyuz spacecraft is a reliable and versatile spacecraft that has
been used for many successful missions in space. Its design has evolved over the
years, but it remains a key component of human spaceflight.
SPACEX DRAGON
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft was first developed by SpaceX, a private space
company founded by entrepreneur Elon Musk, in the late 2000s. The goal was to
create a spacecraft that could transport crew and cargo to and from the
International Space Station (ISS) and other low Earth orbit destinations.
The first test flight of the Dragon spacecraft, known as Dragon Qualification Unit
(DQU), was launched in December 2010. It successfully orbited the Earth twice
before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
In May 2012, SpaceX launched the first official cargo resupply mission to the ISS
using a Dragon spacecraft, which successfully delivered over 1,000 pounds of
supplies and scientific experiments to the ISS. Since then, there have been
numerous Dragon missions to the ISS for both cargo and crew transportation.
In 2014, SpaceX introduced an upgraded version of the Dragon spacecraft, called
Dragon Version 2 or Dragon 2. This version is designed to carry up to 7 crew
members to and from the ISS, and includes several upgrades such as a new launch
escape system and an improved heat shield. In March 2019, SpaceX successfully
completed the first uncrewed test flight of the Dragon 2 spacecraft, known as
Demo-1, which docked with the ISS before returning to Earth.
In May 2020, SpaceX made history by launching the first crewed mission to space
from US soil since the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011. The Crew Dragon
spacecraft, which is a variant of the Dragon 2 spacecraft, carried NASA astronauts
Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley to the ISS and safely returned them to Earth.
Overall, the Dragon spacecraft has become an integral part of NASA's Commercial
Crew Program and has greatly expanded the capabilities of private space companies
in the field of human spaceflight.
Fuel type: the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft itself does not have its own engines or
propellants. It is launched into space on top of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which uses
liquid oxygen (LOX) and rocket-grade kerosene (RP-1) as propellants for its engines.
The Falcon 9 rocket's first stage has 9 Merlin engines that use a mixture of LOX and
RP-1 to generate thrust, while the second stage has a single Merlin engine that also
uses LOX and RP-1. Once the Falcon 9 rocket reaches its intended altitude and
speed, the Dragon spacecraft separates and proceeds to the International Space
Station or other target destination using its onboard systems.
Flight time: The length of a Dragon mission can vary, depending on its purpose and
destination. Typically, a mission to the ISS lasts around 6 months, while a test flight
or other mission might last only a few days.
Purpose served: The primary purpose of the Dragon spacecraft is to transport crew
and cargo to and from the ISS. It can also be used for other missions, such as
carrying scientific experiments, satellites, or other payloads to space.
Mass: The mass of the Dragon spacecraft can vary depending on its configuration
and payload. The pressurized cabin of the Dragon 2 spacecraft weighs around 4,400
kg (9,700 lbs), while the unpressurized trunk adds an additional 1,200 kg (2,600 lbs)
of mass.
Launch mass: The launch mass of the Dragon spacecraft is also dependent on its
configuration and payload. For a typical mission to the ISS, the Dragon 2 spacecraft
and its trunk weigh around 12,000 kg (26,000 lbs) at liftoff.
Landing mass: The landing mass of the Dragon spacecraft depends on its
configuration and how much cargo or other equipment is returned to Earth. The
Dragon 2 spacecraft is designed to be reusable, and can be refurbished and reflown
after landing.
Payload: The Dragon spacecraft can carry both pressurized and unpressurized
cargo. The pressurized cabin can carry up to 7 crew members, or a mix of crew and
cargo. The unpressurized trunk can carry additional cargo, such as science
experiments or hardware.
Thrust: The Dragon spacecraft does not have its own engines, but is launched on
top of a Falcon 9 rocket. The Falcon 9 can produce over 1.7 million pounds of thrust
at liftoff.
Design and variants:
The Dragon spacecraft has two variants: Dragon 1 and Dragon 2. Dragon 1 is used
for cargo missions only, while Dragon 2 can carry crew and cargo. The Dragon 2
spacecraft has several upgrades over the Dragon 1, including a new launch escape
system, improved heat shield, and updated avionics.
THE COLUMBIA SPACE SHUTTLE
Manufacturer: The Columbia space shuttle was built by Rockwell International, now
known as Boeing, under contract with NASA.
Dimensions: The Columbia was 37.24 meters (122.17 feet) long, had a wingspan of
23.79 meters (78.06 feet), and had a height of 17.27 meters (56.65 feet).
Crew: The Columbia had a crew of up to seven astronauts, who would typically
spend several days in space performing various tasks and experiments.
First flight: The Columbia's first flight was on April 12, 1981, on the STS-1 mission,
which was also the first orbital test flight of the space shuttle program.
Final mission: The Columbia's final mission was STS-107, which launched on January
16, 2003. Unfortunately, the shuttle broke apart during re-entry on February 1,
2003, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members.
Significant missions: The Columbia completed several significant missions during its
career, including the first shuttle mission (STS-1), the first Spacelab mission (STS-9),
and the deployment of the Chandra X-ray Observatory.
Notable achievements: The Columbia was the first reusable spacecraft to be used in
space, and helped to pave the way for the construction and maintenance of the
International Space Station (ISS). It also enabled scientists to conduct a wide variety
of experiments in microgravity, leading to advances in fields such as materials
science, biology, and astronomy.
Legacy: The loss of the Columbia was a tragic event for the space shuttle program
and NASA as a whole, leading to a two-and-a-half year suspension of shuttle flights
and a thorough review of safety procedures. The accident also highlighted the risks
involved in spaceflight and the importance of ongoing technological advancements
and safety measures.
Orbital range: The Columbia space shuttle was designed to operate in low Earth
orbit, with a typical altitude range of 200 to 500 miles above the Earth's surface.
Fuel type: The Columbia space shuttle used a combination of liquid hydrogen and
liquid oxygen as its propellants for its main engines during launch and ascent. It also
used solid rocket boosters (SRBs) for additional thrust during launch, which used a
mixture of powdered aluminum and ammonium perchlorate as their propellant.
History: The Columbia was the first operational space shuttle in NASA's fleet,
making its first flight in 1981. It completed a total of 28 missions over the course of
its career, including the first shuttle mission, several scientific missions, and several
missions to deploy and service satellites.
Flight time: The Columbia had a maximum flight duration of about 16 days,
although most of its missions were shorter.
Purpose served: The Columbia was primarily used for carrying crew and payloads to
and from low Earth orbit, including deploying and servicing satellites, conducting
scientific experiments, and supporting the construction and maintenance of the
International Space Station (ISS).
Origin: The Columbia was designed and built by NASA, as part of the agency's space
shuttle program which aimed to create a reusable spacecraft that could carry crew
and cargo into orbit.
Mass: The mass of the Columbia space shuttle varied depending on its mission
configuration, but its typical liftoff weight was around 109,000 kg (240,000 lb).
Launch mass: The launch mass of the Columbia was approximately 2,000,000 kg
(4,400,000 lb), which included the weight of the shuttle orbiter, the SRBs, and the
external fuel tank.
Landing mass: The landing mass of the Columbia was much lower than its launch
mass, as it used a heat shield to protect itself during re-entry and landed using a
combination of parachutes and braking thrusters. Its typical landing weight was
around 95,000 kg (210,000 lb).
Payload: The Columbia was capable of carrying a variety of payloads, including
satellites, scientific instruments, and materials for the construction and
maintenance of the ISS. Its cargo bay had a capacity of about 15,000 kg (33,000 lb).
Thrust: The Columbia's main engines were capable of producing a total of 1.5
million pounds of thrust during launch and ascent. The SRBs provided an additional
6.6 million pounds of thrust.
Designed variance: The Columbia underwent several design changes and upgrades
over the course of its career, including improvements to its heat shield, avionics,
and propulsion systems. However, several design flaws were also discovered after
the loss of the Challenger space shuttle in 1986, leading to modifications and
changes in operating procedures for the entire shuttle fleet. Unfortunately, the
Columbia was lost in 2003 during re-entry, due to a problem with its heat shield
that had gone undetected during the mission.
The Endeavour space shuttle
The Endeavour was the fifth and final space shuttle to be built by NASA, and was
constructed as a replacement for the Challenger, which was lost in 1986.
Construction on the Endeavour began in 1987, and it was completed in 1991 at a
cost of approximately $2.2 billion.
The Endeavour was named after the HMS Endeavour, the ship used by Captain
James Cook on his first voyage of discovery to the Pacific Ocean. The name was
chosen to symbolize the spirit of exploration and discovery that has driven human
exploration of space.
The Endeavour made its first flight on May 7, 1992, on the STS-49 mission, which
was a mission to repair the malfunctioning Intelsat VI satellite. Over the course of
its career, the Endeavour flew a total of 25 missions, traveling over 197 million
kilometers (122 million miles) and spending a total of 299 days in space.
The Endeavour played a crucial role in the assembly and maintenance of the
International Space Station (ISS), and enabled the deployment of important
scientific instruments such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Alpha Magnetic
Spectrometer. The Endeavour was also used to conduct a wide variety of
experiments and research projects in microgravity, leading to advances in fields
such as materials science, biology, and astronomy.
After its retirement, the Endeavour was put on display at the California Science
Center in Los Angeles, where it continues to inspire and educate visitors about the
history and future of space exploration.
Dimensions: The Endeavour was 37.24 meters (122.17 feet) long, had a wingspan of
23.79 meters (78.06 feet), and had a height of 17.27 meters (56.65 feet).
Crew: The Endeavour had a crew of up to seven astronauts, who would typically
spend several days in space performing various tasks and experiments.
First flight: The Endeavour's first flight was on May 7, 1992, on the STS-49 mission,
which was a mission to repair the malfunctioning Intelsat VI satellite.
Final mission: The Endeavour's final mission was STS-134, which launched on May
16, 2011, and delivered the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer and spare parts to the
International Space Station.
Significant missions: The Endeavour completed several significant missions during
its career, including the first Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission (STS-61), the
first assembly mission of the International Space Station (STS-88), and the final
servicing mission of the Hubble Space Telescope (STS-125).
Notable achievements: The Endeavour was the newest and most advanced shuttle
in the fleet, and incorporated several technological upgrades over the other
shuttles. It was also the shuttle that was used to replace the Challenger after its
tragic loss in 1986. The Endeavour flew a total of 25 missions over its career,
traveling over 197 million kilometers (122 million miles) and spending a total of 299
days in space.
Legacy: The Endeavour played a crucial role in the assembly and maintenance of the
International Space Station, and enabled the deployment of important scientific
instruments such as the Hubble Space Telescope and the Alpha Magnetic
Spectrometer. After its retirement, the Endeavour was put on display at the
California Science Center in Los Angeles, where it continues to inspire and educate
visitors about the history and future of space exploration.
The Space Shuttle, Columbia, Endeavour, and other orbiters of the Space Shuttle
program used a combination of two propellants for their main engines:
Liquid hydrogen (LH2) - which is a cryogenic fuel that is stored at extremely low
temperatures (-423 degrees Fahrenheit/-253 degrees Celsius) and used as the fuel
for the Shuttle's main engines.
Liquid oxygen (LOX) - which is also a cryogenic oxidizer that reacts with the
hydrogen to produce thrust.
The solid rocket boosters (SRBs) used by the Space Shuttle program contained a
different type of propellant called ammonium perchlorate composite propellant
(APCP). APCP is a solid fuel that consists of a mixture of ammonium perchlorate,
powdered aluminum, and a binder material.
The Space Shuttle's External Tank (ET) held the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen
fuel for the main engines. During launch, the ET was jettisoned when its fuel was
expended and it was no longer needed. The SRBs were also jettisoned shortly after
ignition when their fuel was expended.