Learn about the Space Shuttle

Space Shuttle Quick Facts

Length (ft)

System . . . . . . . . . . .184.2

Orbiter . . . . . . . . . . 122.17

External Tank . . . . . . . 153.8

Solid Rocket Boosters . . . 149.16

Height (ft)

System . . . . . . . . . . . 76.6

Orbiter . . . . . . . . . . .56.58

Wingspan (ft)

Orbiter . . . . . . . . . . .78.06

Weight (lb)

Gross lift-off . . . . . . . 4.5 million

Orbiter landing . . . . . . .Varies dependent upon mission Orbiter dry weight (with three Space Shuttle Main Engines)

External Tank (Inert) . . . .66,000

SRBs (2) each at launch . . .1,292,000

SRB inert weight, each . . . 192,000

Thrust

SRBs (2) 3,300,000 lb of thrust each in a vacuum

Space Shuttle Main Engines (3) 393,800 lb of thrust each at sea level at 104 percent

Cargo Bay

Dimensions 60 ft long, 15 ft in diameter

Payloads Unmanned spacecraft to fully equipped scientific laboratories