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Old January 17th 07, 12:05 AM posted to rec.aviation.piloting,sci.space.history,sci.space.shuttle
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Default Why does the shuttle throttle on ascent?


Danny Deger wrote:
wrote in message
oups.com...
The shuttle actually throttles back twice during ascent. The first time
is at max Q. This is not a 3 G situation for the vehicle. After the
solids are dropped, the shuttle again throttles back in the last 30
seconds or so before main engine cut-off, so as to not exceed 3 G's of
forward acceleration when the fuel is almost gone. Whether this is due
to a structural or other reason, I'm not sure. But structural makes the
most sense for several reasons, weight being the primary one.

Bud


The answer is:
So Navy fighter pilots can fly the shuttle :-)

Danny Deger

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