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Forum: Space Shuttles - Space Station
Topic: Circular opening on shuttle orbiter nose?

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Message to Edit: HTML is ON UBB Code is ON Smilies Legend	Originally posted by Robert Pearlman on 03-13-2011 04:32 PM While it is true that the reaction control system (RCS) thrusters are covered by Tyvek paper (hence they are referred to as "Tyvek covers") before launch, the opening to which the original post refers to is for the orbiter's two [URL=http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/shutref/orbiter/avionics/gnc/startracker.html]star trackers[/URL] and is protected by a door that can be opened and closed by the crew. <BLOCKQUOTE>[i]The star tracker system is part of the orbiter's navigation system. Its two units are located just forward and to the left of the commander's plus X window in a well outside the pressurized crew compartment... The star trackers are used to align the [URL=http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/reference/shutref/orbiter/avionics/gnc/imu.html]IMUs[/URL] on board the orbiter as well as to track targets and provide line-of-sight vectors for rendezvous calculations. Each star tracker has a door to protect it during ascent and entry. The doors are opened on orbit to permit use of the star trackers.[/i]</BLOCKQUOTE>
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