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Space Forum / Shuttle / December 2006About the chute
Is the primary function of the chute to drop the nose or to slow the Shuttle, or a combination of the two? I noticed it was jettisoned shortly after the nose touch down, so I'm wondering what the primary purpose of the chute is. As a follow-up: What is the actual distance the Shuttle needs from touch down to wheels stop? I know optimal runway length is a couple miles, but it looked like that thing came to a stop rather quickly. Does it only use half the length of the strip? Would an extra (or larger) chute help shorten the required runway length, similar to what you see in drag racing? You can hit me with the technical jargon if need be. I'm not intimately familiar with the program, but I'm a devout follower and have lurked around these parts for years. Thanks. > Is the primary function of the chute to drop the nose or to slow the > Shuttle, or a combination of the two? I noticed it was jettisoned [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Thanks. The primary purpose of the chute is to slow the vehicle down. They don't need help dropping the nose, in fact, the crew works to do so slowly and smoothly. I agree the roll-out seemed short and I suspect that landing into a 16 - 20 knot headwind was a nice contributing factor. I am not sure what considerations went into the size of the chute. Blue skies John >> Is the primary function of the chute to drop the nose or to slow the Shuttle, >> or a combination of the two? I noticed it was jettisoned shortly after the [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > I agree the roll-out seemed short and I suspect that landing into a 16 - 20 > knot headwind was a nice contributing factor. I seem to recall that the chute was added to help take load of the nose gear at touch down. George Evans > I seem to recall that the chute was added to help take load of the > nose gear at touch down. Takes a load off the brakes too; those were getting burnt or torn up pretty regularly before the chute, though I think it's still possible to toast 'em under some circumstances. --Damon >Is the primary function of the chute to drop the nose or to slow the >Shuttle, or a combination of the two? Niether. It's to hold the nose up as speed bleeds off to decrease the stress on the nosewheel when it touches down. D.  SignatureTouch-twice life. Eat. Drink. Laugh. -Resolved: To be more temperate in my postings. Oct 5th, 2004 JDL Just so you have a sense of scale, here it is in the NASA Ames 80x120 (by far the world's largest wind tunnel): http://windtunnels.arc.nasa.gov/pics/80x120/80by22.html Lee Jay > Is the primary function of the chute to drop the nose or to slow the > Shuttle, or a combination of the two? I noticed it was jettisoned shortly > after the nose touch down, so I'm wondering what the primary purpose of > the chute is. Slow down the orbiter before it puts down the nose landing gear (which isn't built as strongly as they'd like due to weight reasons.) > As a follow-up: What is the actual distance the Shuttle needs from touch > down to wheels stop? I know optimal runway length is a couple miles, but > it looked like that thing came to a stop rather quickly. Does it only use > half the length of the strip? > Would an extra (or larger) chute help shorten the required runway length, > similar to what you see in drag racing? Possibly, but also add weight for little benefit. > You can hit me with the technical jargon if need be. I'm not intimately > familiar with the program, but I'm a devout follower and have lurked > around these parts for years. Pick up a copy of Jenkin's "Space Shuttle". 3rd Edition if you can get it. (which shouldn't be too hard.) > Thanks. The primary purpose of the chute is to slow the vehicle down. They added the chute to help them land at Kennedy, it's a shorter runway than Edwards. > The primary purpose of the chute is to slow the vehicle down. > > They added the chute to help them land at Kennedy, it's a shorter > runway than Edwards. Watching video of the most recent shuttle landing, the chute was not jettisoned until well after nose gear touchdown, so while I would accept that it has a role in lowering the nose gear more gently, it would seem that the chute is used to help slow the vehicle as well. Hoping all of you are having a Merry Christmas . . . John >> The primary purpose of the chute is to slow the vehicle down. >> [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > accept that it has a role in lowering the nose gear more gently, it > would seem that the chute is used to help slow the vehicle as well. You are correct. The chute is jettisoned at either 40 or 60 knots ground speed -- I can't remember which. But it certainly slows the orbiter down. It also make the the landing rollout more stable and reduces the chance of departing the runway to the left or right if a tire fails. Danny Deger |
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