Tangki eksternal Pesawat Ulang Alik itu apa sih?

Tangki eksternal pesawat ulang alik atau Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) adalah komponen dari kendaraan peluncuran Pesawat Ulang Alik yang berisi bahan bakar hidrogen cair dan oksidator oksigen cair. Selama lift-off dan pendakian itu memasok bahan bakar dan oksidator bawah tekanan untuk tiga Mesin Pesawat Ulang Alik Utama (SSME) di pengorbit. ET dibuang lebih dari 10 detik setelah MECO (Main Engine Cut Off), dimana SSME ditutup, dan kembali memasuki atmosfer bumi. Berbeda dengan Boosters Rocket Padat, tangki eksternal tidak digunakan kembali. Mereka putus sebelum dampak di Samudera Hindia (atau Samudera Pasifik dalam hal lintasan peluncuran direct-insertion), jauh dari jalur pelayaran.

"External Tank Thermal Protection System" NASA Facts "Return to Flight Focus Area," National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama (Pub 8-40392, FS2005-4-10-MSFC, April 2005)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Booster Systems Briefs. Basic, Rev F, PCN 1. April 27, 2005.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Shuttle Systems Design Criteria. Volume I: Shuttle Performance Assessment Databook. NSTS 08209, Volume I, Revision B. March 16, 1999.

Space Shuttle Propulsion and External Tank Photo Gallery

STS-115 Launch as seen from ET Camera Video

Columbia Accident Investigation Board  Report Vol. 1, Chp. 3, "Accident Analysis" August 2003

STS-125 View of the External Tank Jettisoned and in decaying orbit as viewed from the Shuttle Atlantis Video

Spherical panorama of the bottom of ET-122 in its scaffolding at Michoud Assembly Facility

Spherical panorama of the top of ET-122 in its scaffolding at Michoud Assembly Facility

Spherical panorama of the top of ET-138 in its scaffolding at Michoud Assembly Facility. This is the last tank scheduled to fly.

Spherical panorama along the centerline of the bottom of ET-138 near the feedlines in its scaffolding at Michoud Assembly Facility. This is the last tank scheduled to fly.

"Space Shuttle External Tank Used as a Space Station - Study Project Perun" Award winning student paper from 1979 about building a space station from the External Tank.