Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster

General Product Description

Our PlaneArts Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster model exhibits unique, unrivaled quality and detailed design to come as close as possible to the accuracy of the actual plane. It comes as standard with a robust, durable base or stand which is available in a variety of different finishes designed to match your own personal requirements including solid wood, wood with polished metal supports or adjustable wood wall mount and will be ready within about 9-10 weeks from placement of order.

The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster is made of the finest kiln dried renewable mahogany wood (commonly known as Lauan or Meranti) which has undergone many stages of carving and meticulous and careful sanding giving the beautiful, finished museum quality masterpiece. Many collectors and model connoisseurs demonstrate their preference for genuine handmade and hand painted mahogany wood models rather than plastic or die cast (diecast) alternatives due to the overall look and totally different feel of the item - we trust you will find the same. We can however, if required produce the same model in Solid Cast Resin so just click and contact us for further information. Our craftsmen and gifted artisans ensure that our finely handcrafted model air and spacecraft match the precise blueprint details of the original version. The paint scheme, markings and parts are closely matched, reflecting the original craft. This stylish top-quality desktop replica model will surely enthrall anyone who receives this as a gift and for sure one of the most appropriate and desirably collectable gifts for every Space or Science Fiction enthusiast and avid Spaceship or Scifi collector whilst also displaying a perfect resemblance to the actual Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster model.
If you require, we can also make the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster model in any other markings, livery or colour scheme you require and if necessary, in a different size or scale. Just click here to contact us with a description or photographs of what you require, and we will let you have a quotation for the necessary customization by return email. We can also make bespoke scale replicas of any other private / civil commercial airliner or airliners, helicopter, glider, gliders with engines, military jet, warplane jets, propeller warplanes, biplane, triplane, tail fin, spacecraft, rocket or NASA model you require in any airline, military or civilian livery or colors. We also produce Gerry Anderson models, model airship, blimp, dirigible, blimps, boat, and ship collectibles. Wall plaque or seal for military, government or private customers. Wall plaque or seal for military, government or private customers. Again, by clicking here to contact us just let us know exactly what you need.

The Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster: A Look at Endeavour’s Mighty Engines

The Space Shuttle Endeavour, a pivotal part of NASA’s space exploration legacy, depended heavily on its Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) to break the bonds of Earth’s gravity. This article delves into the design, function, and history of these robust boosters that played a crucial role in the Space Shuttle program.

Design and Specifications:

The Solid Rocket Boosters used by the Space Shuttle Endeavour were among the largest and most powerful solid fuel rockets ever built. Each booster stood approximately 149 feet tall and 12 feet in diameter, designed specifically to work in tandem with the Space Shuttle’s main engines and external tank. Manufactured primarily by Thiokol (later known as ATK Launch Systems), the boosters were designed to be reusable, capable of being refurbished and flown multiple times.

The SRBs were constructed from segments made of steel casings, each filled with a solid propellant. This design choice was pivotal, as it provided the necessary thrust to propel the shuttle from the launch pad through the atmosphere. The boosters alone generated about 3.3 million pounds of thrust at launch, accounting for about 83% of the total force needed to lift the Shuttle off the ground.

Role in Shuttle Launches:

During a Space Shuttle launch, the SRBs operated in conjunction with the orbiter’s main engines and the external fuel tank. The boosters ignited prior to the main engines and provided the majority of the thrust during the first two minutes of the ascent. After their fuel was expended, the SRBs were jettisoned from the shuttle at an altitude of about 28 miles and parachuted into the Atlantic Ocean, where they were recovered, refurbished, and prepared for subsequent flights.

Notable Missions:

Endeavour, which made its maiden flight in 1992, benefited significantly from the reliability of its SRBs across numerous missions. These missions included several key space station assembly flights and servicing missions to the Hubble Space Telescope. The boosters’ performance was critical during Endeavour’s dramatic STS-49 mission, its first, which involved capturing and repairing the Intelsat VI satellite—a task that required an unprecedented three-person spacewalk.

Safety Enhancements:

The design of the Solid Rocket Boosters was directly influenced by the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986. The accident underscored the need for significant safety improvements in booster design. Changes included enhancements to the joint seals between the segments, which were identified as a failure point in the Challenger tragedy. These improvements were crucial in ensuring the safe continuation of shuttle flights, including those of Endeavour.

Legacy and Impact:

The Solid Rocket Boosters, while no longer in use since the Space Shuttle program concluded in 2011, left a lasting impact on space technology and engineering. The lessons learned and technologies developed from the SRBs continue to influence current and future generations of rocket design, particularly in the development of new solid rocket motors for various applications in space exploration.

Endeavour’s missions and its Solid Rocket Boosters have contributed significantly to our understanding and capabilities in space. As we continue to advance beyond our planetary boundaries, the technological innovations and the spirit of exploration embodied by Endeavour and its solid boosters will remain a source of inspiration.