[We have episodes in German and English] How do scientists uncover phenomena and explain their connections? How do engineers design machines, methods and infrastructure? At omega tau, experts give detailed answers. Over the last ten years, we have produced 300 episodes in which we dug deeper, until we ran out of questions. Join us on our journey through the world of science and engineering: the closer you look and listen, the more interesting things get.
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episode 43: Flying the Space Shuttle
In this episode we talk with Duane “Digger” Carey about flying the US Space Shuttle. We cover all the major phases of a shuttle flight (countdown, launch, orbit insertion, on orbit, breaking, reentry and landing) and discuss the activities of the pilot and commander. We also cover briefly some of the Shuttle’s systems. We conclude the episode with a brief look at Shuttle pilot and commander training.
- Duane’s website
- Duane “Digger” Carey at Wikipedia and Official NASA Bio
- Digger’s flight, STS-109
- The US Space Shuttle at NASA and at Wikipedia
- Book: Jenkins, Space Shuttle, The History of the National Space Transportation System
- MIT Open Courseware, Lecture Series on the Space Shuttle
- APU
- Launch Control Center
- Mission Control Center
- Open Loop Controller
- SSME (Space Shuttle Main Engines)
- SRB (Solid Rocket Booster)
- Shuttle Abort Modes
- Orbital Mechanics
- delta-v
- OMS (Orbital Maneuvering System)
- RCS (Reaction Control System)
- Vernier Thruster
- Hubble Space Telescope
- HSI (Horizontal Situation Indicator)
- Artificial Horizon (Attitude Indicator)
- Fly-by-Wire
- TPS (Thermal Protection System)
- ILS (Instrument Landing System)
- MLS (Microwave Landing System)
- Head-Up Display
- STA (Shuttle Training Aircraft)
- omega tau episode on the Vertical Motion Simulator
- KC-135, and NASA’s version, the Vomit Comet
- T-38 Talon
- Duane’s commander, Scott Altman