sci.space.shuttle FAQ
last updated August 13, 2002

Compilation copyright © 1997-2002 by Michael R. Grabois. This document may be freely redistributed in various electronic media (including, but not limited to, e-mail, Usenet, and the World Wide Web) in its complete and unmodified form. It may not be reproduced for profit in commercial outlets (such as, but not limited to, CD-ROMs and books) without prior written consent from the author. Other use requires written permission of the author. Except as where noted in the individual answer, all material was written by the compiler of this document. Standard disclaimer: this is in no way officially endorsed by NASA or any of its contractor companies.

Please submit all corrections, additions, and suggestions to WizardImps@hotmail.com.

Welcome to the sci.space.shuttle newsgroup! This document is designed to answer a number of the most Frequently Asked Questions about the shuttle program. The sci.space.shuttle newsgroup is more or less what it seems, a place for discussing the US space shuttle and closely related topics such as the Russian manned space program.

There are several other groups in the sci.space.* hierarchy, which might also contain discussion about topics you're interested in:

sci.space.history     Space program history, from the 1800's to 1980's
sci.space.moderated   Discussions about space-related topics [moderated]
sci.space.news        Announcements of interest to the space community [moderated]
sci.space.policy      Discussions about space policy.
sci.space.science     Space and planetary science and related technical work [moderated]
sci.space.station     Space stations and orbiting platforms.
sci.space.tech        Technical and general issues related to space flight [moderated]

If you can't find a place for discussion of your topic, then sci.space.policy is the place for it. Note, however, that discussion of UFOs and the paranormal is off-topic for all of the sci.space.* newsgroups.

That being said, here is the FAQ for sci.space.shuttle. This document is avaliable in hypertext format at:

• http://www.geocities.com/spaceshot2000/sss-faq.htm

Each of the other sci.space.* newsgroups is planned to have its own FAQ, though currently only one does:

• sci.space.moderated: http://www.scispace.org/

The Really Long and Thorough generic sci.space.* FAQ was last updated in 1996. It's outdated but still has some good stuff. Formerly located at ftp://ftp.cs.unc.edu/pub/users/leech/FAQ/ (don't bother going there, the account has since been deleted), you can find it rehosted at (among other places):

• sci.space.* FAQ: http://www.geocities.com/spaceshot2000/faq01-intro.html

Other FAQs of note:

• NASA/JSC: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/questions/faq.html
• NASA/KSC: http://contact.ksc.nasa.gov/efaq/
• NASA Spaceflight Web FAQ: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/faq/
• NASA Office of Space Flight: http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/qanda.html

Notes:
+ = questions/answers with minor updates since the last version of this document (such as a new web page).
# = questions/answers with major updates since the last version of this document (such as adding or revising content).
* = new questions/answers since the last version of this document.

A. Shuttle Launch Questions: When Things Go Right

1. + How can I get to see a launch at KSC? Tell me everything about launches!
2. Why does the shuttle roll when it lifts off?
3. How can the main engines be at 104%?
4. Why is the launch window so short for an ISS rendezvous mission?
5. What is "direct insertion" vs. "standard insertion"?
6. How bad is the Shuttle for the Ozone Layer?
7. What does a single shuttle launch cost?
8. What happened to Shuttle Launch Complex 6, a.k.a. "Slick 6"?

B. Shuttle Launch Questions: When Things Go Wrong

1. + How did the Challenger explode? And what happened to the astronauts?
2. What are the different shuttle abort modes?
3. What are the different abort landing sites?
4. What would happen if the SRBs failed to light or if they failed to separate?

C. Shuttle Orbit Questions

1. Can I see the shuttle or ISS in orbit? How do I find out where to look?
2. Where can I find real-time video of NASA TV and other real-time information?
3. What's the highest the shuttle has flown to?
4. Can I send an e-mail or talk to the astronauts on the shuttle, ISS or Mir?
5. On what frequency does the shuttle talk to Mission Control?
6. How do you go to the bathroom on the shuttle?
7. What is it like to fly in space?
8. Is it true that the only man-made thing you can see from space is the Great Wall of China?

D. Shuttle Landing Questions

1. Why are there two sonic booms when the shuttle comes in for a landing?
2. How can I see the shuttle when it's coming in on reentry?

E. General Shuttle Questions

1. How many shuttles are there, and what are their names?
2. Are there any real astronauts here?
3. How can I become an astronaut?
4. What kind of training do the astronauts go through to prepare for a mission?
5. Why are the shuttle flight numbers currently so mixed up, and why are there so many missions that begin with the numbers 41 and 51?
6. Why can't the Shuttle go to the Moon?
7. Can the shuttle Enterprise be made spaceworthy?
8. Where can I find more about previous shuttle missions and crews?
9. Where can I find more about the current shuttle mission? How about future missions?
10. Where can I find more pictures/video/sound/information?

Thanks to the following people who helped out with this document, directly or indirectly:
Becky Bray, Will Carney, Dwayne Allen Day, Jeff Findley, Andy Foster, Jorge Frank, Richard David Glueck, George William Herbert, Ken Hollis, Ken Jenks, Frank Johnson, Kim Keller, Jon Leech, Will Marchant, Steven Pietrobon, Todd L. Sherman, Henry Spencer, Keith Stein, Brian Thorn, Steve Wachowski, and Justin Wigg.

You are visitor since March 18, 1997.

Please submit all corrections, additions, and suggestions to WizardImps@hotmail.com.

Page content and layout © 1996-2001 Michael Grabois and Astra Enterprises.
Last updated: August 13, 2002