3 ms·

SRB separation happened when the shuttle reached ~3,100 mph. The external tank was jettisoned at ~17,500 mph, more than 5 times the speed (or 25 times the kinet

SRB separation happened when the shuttle reached ~3,100 mph. The external tank was jettisoned at ~17,500 mph, more than 5 times the speed (or 25 times the kinetic energy that would need to be dissipated in the atmosphere to recover).

ceejayoz 6y ago
It's a serious pity they never boosted the external tanks into a safe orbit for future use as station modules.
- m4rtink 6y ago
  AFAIK there were some studies for that - it was doable delta-v wise. I wonder about the mess caused by the isolation foam deteriorating over time though.