As an aerospace engineer with a focus on propulsion systems, I can provide an insightful analysis on the fuel consumption of a space shuttle launch. The Space Shuttle program, which was operational from 1981 to 2011, was a significant milestone in space exploration and transportation. The shuttle's launch system was complex and required a substantial amount of fuel to achieve orbit.

The Space Shuttle consisted of three main components: the orbiter, the external tank (ET), and the two solid rocket boosters (SRBs). The external tank held the liquid fuel, which was a combination of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The two solid rocket boosters, which are the focus of our discussion on fuel consumption, were attached to the sides of the external tank.

**Each of the two Solid Rocket Boosters on the Space Shuttle carries more than one million pounds of solid propellant.** This solid propellant is a mixture of ammonium perchlorate, aluminum powder, and other compounds that burn at extremely high temperatures to produce thrust. The SRBs are ignited at launch and burn for approximately two minutes, providing a significant portion of the thrust needed to get the shuttle off the ground and on its way to orbit.

The external tank, which is the largest component of the Space Shuttle system, also contains a substantial amount of fuel. It is filled with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, which are the propellants for the orbiter's main engines. The liquid hydrogen is used as the fuel, while the liquid oxygen serves as the oxidizer. Together, they create a highly efficient and powerful propulsion system.

The exact amount of fuel used in a space shuttle launch can vary depending on several factors, such as the shuttle's payload, the desired orbital altitude, and the specific mission requirements. However, a general estimate can be provided based on the known capacities of the external tank and the solid rocket boosters.

The external tank had a capacity of approximately 1.6 million pounds of liquid hydrogen and 1.1 million pounds of liquid oxygen. When combined with the over 2 million pounds of solid propellant in the two SRBs, the total fuel load for a space shuttle launch was well over 4.7 million pounds. This massive amount of fuel is necessary to overcome Earth's gravity and achieve the required velocity to reach orbit.

The speed of the Space Shuttle, as mentioned, depends on its orbital altitude, which normally ranges from **190 miles to 330 miles (304 kilometers to 528 kilometers) above sea level**. To reach these altitudes, the shuttle must accelerate to a speed of approximately 17,500 miles per hour (28,000 kilometers per hour). This incredible speed is achieved through the combined efforts of the main engines and the solid rocket boosters, all fueled by the vast quantities of propellant described.

In summary, a space shuttle launch is a monumental feat of engineering that requires a tremendous amount of fuel. The solid rocket boosters and the external tank, with their millions of pounds of propellant, work in concert to propel the shuttle to the necessary speed and altitude for a successful mission.

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The exact speed depends on the Space Shuttle's orbital altitude, which normally ranges from 190 miles to 330 miles (304 kilometers to 528 kilometers) above sea level, depending on its mission. Each of the two Solid Rocket Boosters on the Space Shuttle carries more than one million pounds of solid propellant.read more >>