Can you survive a Space Shuttle abort without a manual?
In short: This video follows a high-stakes attempt to execute a Return To Launch Site abort using the Orbiter 2016 simulator. Without the aid of official checklists, the mission tests whether simulated experience can overcome the extreme complexities of a real-world abort scenario.
The Return To Launch Site (RTLS) abort mode was a procedure never actually performed with a real Space Shuttle launch stack. Astronaut John Young famously described the maneuver as requiring "continuous miracles interspersed with acts of God" to succeed.
During the simulation, the pilot faced critical energy management issues, such as turning too early or lacking sufficient energy to reach the landing strip without using the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS). In a real abort, the OMS is intended to be fired to deplete fuel and shift the orbiter's center of mass forward.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Space Shuttle RTLS Abort Challenge - Without The Manual
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