Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Space Shuttle Control Systems

Description

This lecture covers the control systems of the Space Shuttle, including the commander's and pilot's seats, rotational and translation hand controllers, reference directions for translation and rotations, and the attitude director indicator.

Official source

Related concepts (29)

Space Shuttle

The Space Shuttle is a retired, partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated from 1981 to 2011 by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Space Shuttle program. Its official program name was Space Transportation System (STS), taken from a 1969 plan for a system of reusable spacecraft where it was the only item funded for development. The first (STS-1) of four orbital test flights occurred in 1981, leading to operational flights (STS-5) beginning in 1982.

Space Shuttle Endeavour

Space Shuttle Endeavour (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105) is a retired orbiter from NASA's Space Shuttle program and the fifth and final operational Shuttle built. It embarked on its first mission, STS-49, in May 1992 and its 25th and final mission, STS-134, in May 2011. STS-134 was expected to be the final mission of the Space Shuttle program, but with the authorization of STS-135 by the United States Congress, Atlantis became the last shuttle to fly.

Space Shuttle Columbia

Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102) was a Space Shuttle orbiter manufactured by Rockwell International and operated by NASA. Named after the first American ship to circumnavigate the upper North American Pacific coast and the female personification of the United States, Columbia was the first of five Space Shuttle orbiters to fly in space, debuting the Space Shuttle launch vehicle on its maiden flight in April 1981.

Translation

Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. The English language draws a terminological distinction (which does not exist in every language) between translating (a written text) and interpreting (oral or signed communication between users of different languages); under this distinction, translation can begin only after the appearance of writing within a language community.

Space Shuttle program

The Space Shuttle program was the fourth human spaceflight program carried out by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which accomplished routine transportation for Earth-to-orbit crew and cargo from 1981 to 2011. Its official name, Space Transportation System (STS), was taken from a 1969 plan for a system of reusable spacecraft of which it was the only item funded for development. It flew 135 missions and carried 355 astronauts from 16 countries, many on multiple trips.

Related lectures (36)

Space Shuttle Controls MOOC: Space Mission Design and Operations

Delves into the Space Shuttle's attitude and translation control systems, highlighting the design and functionality of the controls in both the forward and aft flight decks.

Space Shuttle: Selected Missions MOOC: Space Mission Design and Operations

Covers selected Space Shuttle missions, satellite repair, recovery, and telescope deployment, as well as ISS assembly and program history.

Equivalent Sliding Reflection to Three Axial Reflections

Explores the composition of three axial reflections into an equivalent sliding reflection in a plane.

Space Shuttle Overview MOOC: Space Mission Design and Operations

Covers the overview of the Space Shuttle's habitable compartments and procedures for spacewalks.

Symmetry in the Plane