Why couldn't the shuttle fly itself home from California?

Answer

The space shuttle isn't really a plane. It's closer to a glider.

Short answer in last paragraph.

On launch it does use its' own rocket motors along with the Solid Rocket Boosters. I don't know what the share of thrust is for the whole set-up. I mean the shuttle and Solid Rocket Boosters altogether. I would guess its about 50/50. The SRB's provide the big boost to get to escape velocity. They are cut off pretty soon and the shuttle itself powers itself the rest of the way. Even now it's not really flying the way a plane does. It's more like a elevator using a controlled explosion for lift. It burns fuel like crazy so that's the reason for the big fuel tank it's attached to.

Upon return it glides to earth. The wings are airfoils and do provide lift. But at the same time, it is mostly decending. Strictly speaking, flying means staying in the air or ascending. I'm sure that it might go "up" here and there for manuevering reasons but most of the time its going down.

Back on earth, its fuel tank is nearly empty. I suppose theoreticaly it could be re-fueled and could even take off using its rocket motors. However, the rocket motors are designed to deliver huge amounts of thrust. Too much for just "flying". And it goes through fuel like crazy. The shuttle's internal fuel tank is not that big. It wouldn't get very far before running out. Note the need for the huge fuel tank when it takes off.

First answer by ID0205626468. Last edit by ID0205626468. Question popularity: 38 [recommend question]