The space shuttle is the most complex machine ever built and the first orbital s

Question

The space shuttle is the most complex machine ever built and the first orbital spacecraft designed for partial reusability. It has a mass of 2,209,203 kg and is capable of taking up to 11 astronaunts and 24,400 kg of payload into orbit. For it to achieve orbit, it takes an average $450 million and a two stage rocket capable of delivering 5,253 kN of thrust. Once in orbit, it must maintain a speed of 17,500 mph. When the space mission is over, the shuttle must dissipate all of the energy in the form of heat (friction) by performing a series of S turns. Assuming the shuttle lands at 236.5 mph, has 4 astronaunts each with a weight of 200 kg, and a payload weight of 23338 kg, find how much energy (in GJ) the shuttle has the second that it lands (does not come to a complete stop).

Explanation / Answer

as it lands, it's potential energy is zero and its kinetic energy is 1/2 m v^2
E = 1/2 (2,209,203 + 7*200 + 23,107)kg*(248.5/3600s/hr*5280ft/mile*12inch/ft*2.54cm/inch/(100cm/m)^2 in J
divide by 1 x 10^9 to get answer in GJ

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