Carry That Weight Worksheet (Page 2 of 8) in pdf

Carry That Weight Worksheet Page 2

Student Mathematics Activity: Carry That Weight

Student Background

The orbiter must travel through more than 60 miles of the Earth’s atmosphere to

reach space. The total weight of the orbiter, its crew, payload, fuel tanks, rocket fuel

and other miscellaneous items must not be greater than the amount of thrust it

would take to propel it to an orbit just outside of the thermosphere.

Using mathematical calculations, rocket researchers have been able to determine

just how much thrust is needed to launch a certain amount of weight. With a fully

loaded orbiter and fuel tanks, it takes over 5 million pounds of thrust to launch the

orbiter into space. To determine this amount of thrust NASA must consider the weight

of every item being taken on each mission. The approximate weight of each item is

listed in the chart below.

Space Shuttle Mission Weight Chart

Item Description

Weight (in kilograms)

Orbiter (empty)

43,092

Payload (standard

24,948

maximum weight)

External Tank

(full)

750,980

Solid Rocket

Booster (each)

589,670

(x 2 = )

1,179,340

Other:

•

Crew members (3-10)

•

Additional fuel for use

during mission

14,850

•

Liquids & gases for electrical

production & environmental

conditioning

Carry That Weight Worksheet Page 2