X-Nico

6 unusual facts about Space Shuttle program


Alex McCool

During his career, McCool contributed to several space developments including Skylab and the Space Shuttle program.

Flight number

Space Shuttle launches got numbers with the prefix STS, for example, STS-93.

Intervertebral disc damage and spaceflight

Astronauts have expressed an increased incidence of back pain during spaceflight and herniated intervertebral discs (IVD) have been diagnosed upon return of Skylab and Shuttle spaceflight participants.

Scramjet

For example the space shuttle external tank holds 616,432 kg of liquid oxygen (LOX) and 103,000 kg of liquid hydrogen (LH2) while having an empty weight of 30,000 kg.

Strategy of Technology

However, the Soviets spent a colossal amount of money on their Buran space shuttle in an attempt to compete with a perceived military threat from the American Space Shuttle program, which was to be used in the SDI.

William R. Lucas

He took over only two years after the start of the Space Shuttle program.



see also

Richard C. Cook

As a Resource Analyst at NASA's Comptroller's Office, Richard C. Cook was responsible for assessing the budgetary implications of the Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs), External Tank, and Centaur Upper Stage of the Space Shuttle program.