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The space shuttle engines could do (and did on I think 5 occasions) the same thing. That is why they turned on before the solid boosters were lit, to be checked
by ballooney 14y ago
The space shuttle engines could do (and did on I think 5 occasions) the same thing. That is why they turned on before the solid boosters were lit, to be checked out by the avionics. Example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VELYTzUrjc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VELYTzUrjc
[Edit: I must apologise to the commenter below for just repeating him 10 minutes later - accidental]
- ANH 14y agoTechnically, it was the orbiter's engines that could be shut down. "Space shuttle" is used to refer to the whole assemblage of orbiter, solid rocket boosters (which cannot be shut down), and external fuel tank.
- ballooney 14y agoQuite right, I should have said Space Shuttle Main Engines, as that is what they were actually called. Apologies for the ambiguity.