Space Forum / Space Flight / July 2006

I've been curious about the roll the Shuttle does during ascent.  One
reference I came across:

http://www.cdli.ca/CITE/sts_ascent.htm

says:

   About 20 seconds into the flight, the shuttle makes an unusual
   move. It rolls! The whole shuttle, also called the stack, turns so
   the orbiter lies under the external fuel tank and the solid rocket
   boosters. This roll is important for a number of reasons. First,
   it reduces the stress on the orbiter's delicate wings and tail
   created by the near mach one speed of the shuttle at this point
   into the flight. Second, it makes it easier for the computer to
   control the shuttle during the remainder of the ascent. Third, it
   enables the astronauts to see the horizon, giving them a reference
   point should the mission have to be aborted and the shuttle forced
   to land. How much the shuttle rolls depends on the inclination of
   the shuttle's orbit. (Inclination refers to the angle of the orbit
   relative to the earth's equator. Greater the inclination, the
   greater the angle of roll required.)

And a couple of questions come to my peanut gallery mind:

1) Is it really that much harder for the computer to control the
  shuttle without the roll?

2) Given the historical failure pattern for the shuttle is there
  really that much value in the astronauts having a view of the
  horizon?

3) Are the stresses on the "delicate" wings and tail that much more
  than during reentry?

Without the roll, junk coming off the ET would be rather less likely
to strike the orbiter no?

rick jones