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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-shuttle-three-parts

What were the three main parts of the space shuttle at launch?

The orbiter, a big external tank and two solid rocket boosters.

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  1. Capsule, service module and escape tower
  2. Orbiter, external tank and two solid rocket boosters ✔
  3. Orbiter, lander and three liquid boosters

Why: The orbiter carried the crew. The large external tank fed propellant to the main engines, and two solid rocket boosters gave most of the push in the first two minutes.

Huh, didn't know that: The external tank was the only major part not reused; it burned up after each launch.

The dad joke
Why did the boosters leave the shuttle after two minutes? Their job was done and they were all burned out.
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References

Answer: Orbiter, external tank and two solid rocket boosters. The orbiter carried the crew. The large external tank fed propellant to the main engines, and two solid rocket boosters gave most of the push in the first two minutes.

  1. NASA, The Space Shuttle (reference) www.nasa.gov/reference/the-space-shuttle
    The Space Shuttle consists of three major components: the Orbiter which houses the crew;
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. NASA, The Space Shuttle (reference) www.nasa.gov/reference/the-space-shuttle
    All of the components are reused except for the external fuel tank, which burns up in the atmosphere after each launch.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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