View source for Space Shuttle external tank

{{Short description|Component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle}}
{{Redirect|External fuel tank|expendable tanks carried by aircraft|Drop tank|selfref=yes}}
{{redirect|SSET|the category sSet|Category of simplicial sets}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox rocket stage
|name = Space Shuttle external tank
|image = External tank No. 124.jpg
|image_size = 300px
|caption = External tank No. 124 is lowered into high bay 1 of the [[Vehicle Assembly Building]] prior to attachment of the solid rocket boosters for mission [[STS-117]].
|manufacturer = [[NASA]] [[Michoud Assembly Facility]], contractor: [[Martin Marietta]], later [[Lockheed Martin]]
|country = United States
|rockets = [[Space Shuttle]]
|height = {{convert|153.8|ft|m|sp=us|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|diameter = {{convert|27.6|ft|m|sp=us|abbr=on|order=flip}}
|mass = {{convert|1680000|lb|kg|abbr=on|order=flip}}
| stagedata     =
{{Infobox rocket/stage
| name          = Space Shuttle ET
| engines       = 3 [[RS-25]] mounted on the [[Space Shuttle orbiter|orbiter]]
| thrust        = {{cvt|{{#Expr:3*418000}}|lbf|kN}}<ref name="aerojet">Aerojet Rocketdyne, [https://www.rocket.com/rs-25-engine RS-25 Engine] (accessed July 22, 2014)</ref>
| burntime      = 510 s
| fuel          = [[Liquid Hydrogen|LH<sub>2</sub>]]/[[Liquid Oxygen|LOX]]
}}
}}
[[File:External Tank.jpg|thumb|right|The ET from [[STS-115]] after separation from the orbiter. The scorch mark near the front end of the tank is from the SRB separation motors.]]

The '''Space Shuttle external tank''' ('''ET''') was the component of the [[Space Shuttle]] [[launch vehicle]] that contained the [[liquid hydrogen]] [[Rocket propellant|fuel]] and [[liquid oxygen]] [[oxidizer]]. During lift-off and ascent it supplied the fuel and oxidizer under pressure to the three [[RS-25]] main engines in the [[Space Shuttle orbiter|orbiter]]. The ET was jettisoned just over 10 seconds after main engine cut-off (MECO) and it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. Unlike the [[Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster|Solid Rocket Boosters]], external tanks were not re-used. They broke up before impact in the [[Indian Ocean]] (or [[Pacific Ocean]] in the case of direct-insertion launch trajectories), away from [[shipping lane]]s and were not recovered.<ref>{{cite web
|url= http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/et.html
|title= External Tank
|access-date= January 19, 2014
|work= NSTS 1988 News Reference Manual
|date= September 1988
|publisher= NASA
|archive-date= August 19, 2019
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20190819161653/https://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/et.html
|url-status= dead
}}</ref>

== Overview ==
{{multiple image|direction=vertical|image1=Space Shuttle Columbia launching.jpg|image2=STS-3 launch.jpg|caption1=The external tank was painted white for the first two Space Shuttle launches.|caption2=From [[STS-3]] on, it was left unpainted.}}
The ET was the largest element of the Space Shuttle, and when loaded, it was also the heaviest. It consisted of three major components:
* the forward liquid oxygen (LOX) tank
* an unpressurized intertank that contains most of the electrical components
* the aft liquid [[hydrogen]] (LH<sub>2</sub>) tank; this was the largest part, but it was relatively light, due to liquid hydrogen's very low density.

The ET was the "backbone" of the shuttle during launch, providing structural support for attachment with the [[Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster]]s (SRBs) and orbiter. The tank was connected to each SRB at one forward attachment point (using a crossbeam through the intertank) and one aft bracket, and it was connected to the orbiter at one forward attachment bipod and two aft bipods. In the aft attachment area, there were also [[Umbilical cable|umbilicals]] that carried [[fluid]]s, [[gas]]es, [[electric]]al signals and electrical power between the tank and the orbiter. Electrical signals and controls between the orbiter and the two solid rocket boosters were also routed through those umbilicals.

Although the external tanks were always discarded, it may have been possible to re-use them in orbit.<ref name="etuse">{{cite web |title=STS External Tank Station |url=http://www.astronautix.com/craft/stsation.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407010201/http://www.astronautix.com/craft/stsation.htm |archive-date=April 7, 2015 |access-date=January 7, 2015}} astronautix.com (NASA Report, ''Utilization of the external tanks of the space transportation system'' [https://web.archive.org/web/20100513080246/http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19940004970_1994004970.pdf])</ref> Plans for re-use ranged from incorporation into a space station as extra living or research space, as rocket fuel tanks for interplanetary missions (e.g. Mars), to raw materials for orbiting factories.<ref name=etuse/>

Another concept was to use the ET as a cargo carrier for bulky payloads.<ref name=vlst/> One proposal was for the primary mirror of a 7-meter aperture telescope to be carried with the tank.<ref name=vlst>
{{cite web
|url= http://optics.nasa.gov/concept/vlst.html 
|title= The Very Large Space Telescope (VLST)
|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130512174258/http://optics.nasa.gov/concept/vlst.html
|archive-date= May 12, 2013
|work= SOMTC - Advanced Concepts Studies
|url-status= dead
|publisher= NASA
}}</ref> Another concept was the Aft Cargo Carrier (ACC).<ref>[https://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/05/shuttle-with-aft-cargo-carrier-1982/ D. Portree - Space Shuttle with Aft Cargo Carrier - Beyond Apollo (wired.com)]</ref>

==Versions==
Over the years, NASA worked to reduce the weight of the ET to increase overall efficiency. The weight reduced from the ET resulted in an almost equal increase of the cargo-carrying capability of the Space Shuttle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/et.html|title=External Tank|publisher=NASA|access-date=November 25, 2010|archive-date=August 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819161653/https://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/technology/sts-newsref/et.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Orange color===
The external tank's orange color is the color of the spray-on foam insulation. The first two tanks, used for [[STS-1]] and [[STS-2]], were painted white to protect the tanks from [[ultraviolet light]] during the extended time that the shuttle spent on the launch pad prior to launch.<ref>{{cite web|title=Columbia's White External Fuel Tanks|date=April 12, 2006 |url=http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/060412_sts1_whitetank.html|publisher=Space.com}}</ref> NASA engineer Farouk Huneidi told the agency that the paint did not actually protect the foam.<ref name="vogt20110728">{{Cite news |last=Vogt |first=Tom |date=2024-04-04 |title=Local man takes first-hand pride in space program |url=https://www.columbian.com/news/2011/jul/28/salmon-creek-resident-reflects-first-hand-pride-in/ |access-date=2024-04-08 |work=The Columbian |language=en-US}}</ref> Martin Marietta (now part of [[Lockheed Martin]]) reduced weight by leaving the rust-colored spray-on insulation unpainted beginning with [[STS-3]], saving approximately {{convert|272|kg|lb|abbr=on|lk=on}}.<ref name="et_paint">National Aeronautics and Space Administration [http://www.msfc.nasa.gov/news/news/releases/1999/99-193.html "NASA Takes Delivery of 100th Space Shuttle External Tank."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311004932/http://www.msfc.nasa.gov/news/news/releases/1999/99-193.html |date=March 11, 2007 }} Press Release 99-193. August 16, 1999.</ref>

===Standard Weight Tank===
The original ET is informally known as the Standard Weight Tank (SWT) and was fabricated from [[2219 aluminium alloy|2219 aluminum alloy]], a high-strength aluminum-copper alloy used for many aerospace applications.

After [[STS-4]], several hundred pounds were eliminated by deleting the anti-geyser line. This line paralleled the oxygen feed line, providing a circulation path for liquid oxygen. This reduces accumulation of [[gas]]eous oxygen in the feed line during prelaunch tanking (loading of the LOX). After [[propellant]] loading data from ground tests and the first few Space Shuttle missions were assessed, the anti-geyser line was removed for subsequent missions. The total length and diameter of the ET remain unchanged. The last SWT, flown on [[STS-7]], weighed approximately {{convert|35000|kg|order=flip}} inert.

===Lightweight Tank===
[[Image:Externaltank.jpg|thumb|The [[Space Shuttle]] external tank for [[STS-114]] on its way to the [[Vehicle Assembly Building]]]]
Beginning with the [[STS-6]] mission, a lightweight ET (LWT), was introduced. This tank was used for the majority of the Shuttle flights, and was last used during the launch of the [[Space Shuttle Columbia disaster|ill-fated]] [[STS-107]] mission. Although tanks vary slightly in weight, each weighed approximately {{convert|30000|kg|lb|order=flip}} inert.

The weight reduction from the SWT was accomplished by eliminating portions of stringers (structural stiffeners running the length of the hydrogen tank), using fewer stiffener rings and by modifying major frames in the hydrogen tank. Also, significant portions of the tank were [[milling machine|mill]]ed differently so as to reduce thickness, and the weight of the ET's aft [[Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster|solid rocket booster]] attachments was reduced by using a stronger, yet lighter and less expensive [[titanium]] alloy.

===Super Lightweight Tank===
The Super Lightweight Tank (SLWT) was first flown in 1998 on [[STS-91]] and was used for all subsequent missions with two exceptions ([[STS-99]] and [[STS-107]]).<ref name=LMFS07>*[http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/12742.pdf "FACT SHEET SPACE SHUTTLE EXTERNAL TANK"]{{Dead link|date=February 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} April 2007 [[Lockheed Martin]]{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*http://www.nasa-klass.com/Curriculum/Get_Training%201/ET/RDG_ET-Additional/ETFactSheet.pdf
*https://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/system/system_ET.html</ref> The SLWT had basically the same design as the LWT except that it used an [[aluminium-lithium alloy]] ([[2195 aluminium alloy|Al 2195]]) for a large part of the tank structure. This alloy provided a significant reduction in tank weight (about {{convert|3,175|kg|order=flip|disp=or|abbr=out}}) over the LWT. Manufacture also included [[Friction stir welding#Aerospace|friction stir welding]] technology. Although all ETs produced after the introduction of the SLWT were of this configuration, one LWT remained in inventory to be used if requested until the end of the shuttle era. The SLWT provided 50% of the performance increase required for the shuttle to reach the [[International Space Station]].<ref name="by the numbers">{{cite web|url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/ssc/michoud/ExternalTank/ByNumbers.html|title=External Fuel Tank by the Numbers|publisher=Lockheed Martin|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080103111431/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/ssc/michoud/ExternalTank/ByNumbers.html|archive-date=January 3, 2008 }}</ref> The reduction in weight allowed the Orbiter to carry more payload to the [[International Space Station#Orbit|highly inclined orbit of the ISS]].

[[Image:Pegasus barge being moved by Freedom Star and towboat American 2.jpg|right|thumb|300px|The Pegasus barge<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harbaugh |first=Jennifer |date=February 4, 2020 |title=NASA's Barge Pegasus – Transportation for the Space Launch System Core Stage |url=http://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/fs/pegasus-barge.html |access-date=October 25, 2022 |website=NASA}}</ref> carrying ET-119 (which will be used on [[STS-121]]) is towed to Port Canaveral.]]<!-- There is no other mention of "the Pegasus barge" in this article; yet a [[WP:REDIRECT]] points to it. Needs to be mentioned/cited in the article prose. -->

=== Technical specifications ===
'''SLWT specifications'''<ref name=LMFS07/>
*Length: {{convert|153.8|ft|m|abbr=on}}
*Diameter: {{convert|27.6|ft|m|abbr=on}}
*Empty weight: {{convert|58500|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
*Gross liftoff weight: {{convert|1680000|lb|kg|abbr=on}}

'''LOX tank'''
*Length: {{convert|54.6|ft|m|abbr=on}}
*Diameter: {{convert|27.6|ft|m|abbr=on}}
*Volume (at 22 [[pounds per square inch|psig]]): {{convert|19541.66|cuft|USgal l|abbr=on|lk=on}}
*LOX mass (at 22 psig): {{convert|1387457|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
*Operation pressure: {{convert|34.7|-|36.7|psi|abbr=on|kPa}} (absolute)

'''Intertank'''
*Length: {{convert|22.6|ft|m|abbr=on}}
*Diameter: {{convert|27.6|ft|m|abbr=on}}

'''LH<sub>2</sub> tank'''
*Length: {{convert|97.0|ft|m|abbr=on}}
*Diameter: {{convert|27.6|ft|m|abbr=on}}
*Volume (at 29.3 psig): {{convert|52881.61|cuft|USgal l|abbr=on}}
*LH<sub>2</sub> mass (at 29.3 psig): {{convert|234265|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
*Operation pressure: {{convert|32|-|34|psi|kPa|abbr=on}} (absolute)<!--32-34 psia (221-235 kPa (absolute)) -->
*Operation temperature: {{convert|-423|F|C|0}}<ref name="by the numbers"/>

==Contractor==
The contractor for the external tank was [[Lockheed Martin]] (previously [[Martin Marietta]]), New Orleans, Louisiana. The tank was manufactured at the [[Michoud Assembly Facility]], [[New Orleans]], and was transported to [[Kennedy Space Center]] by [[barge]].

==Components==
The ET has three primary structures: an LOX tank, an intertank, and an LH<sub>2</sub> tank. Both tanks are constructed of aluminium alloy skins with support or stability frames as required. The intertank aluminium structure utilizes skin stringers with stabilizing frames. The primary aluminium materials used for all three structures are 2195 and 2090 alloys. [[2195 aluminium alloy|AL 2195]] is an Al-Li alloy designed by Lockheed Martin and Reynolds for storage of cryogenics (and used for the SLW version of the ET - earlier versions used Al 2219<ref name=Nasa-SLW>[http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/113020main_shuttle_lightweight.pdf Super Lightweight External Tank], NASA, retrieved December 12, 2013.</ref>). [[2090 aluminium alloy|Al 2090]] is a commercially available Al-Li alloy.
[[Image:Sts et cutaway.jpg|thumb|300px|Anatomy of the external tank]]

===Liquid oxygen tank===
The LOX tank is located at the top{{efn|name=orientation}} of the ET and has an [[ogive]] shape to reduce aerodynamic drag and aerothermodynamic heating. The ogive nose section is capped by a flat removable cover plate and a [[nose cone]]. The nose cone consists of a removable conical assembly that serves as an aerodynamic fairing for the propulsion and electrical system components. The foremost element of the nose cone functions as a cast aluminium lightning rod. The LOX tank volume is {{convert|19744|cuft|m3|abbr=on}} at {{cvt|22|psi}} and {{convert|-297|F|K C|abbr=on}} ([[cryogenic]]).

The tank feeds into a {{convert|17|in|mm|abbr=on}} diameter feed line that conveys the liquid oxygen through the intertank, then outside the ET to the aft right-hand ET/orbiter disconnect umbilical. The {{convert|17|in|mm|abbr=on}} diameter feed line permits liquid oxygen to flow at approximately {{cvt|2,787|lb/s}} with the RS-25s operating at 104% or permits a maximum flow of {{cvt|17,592|USgal/min}}.

All loads except aerodynamic loads are transferred from the LOX tank at a bolted, flange-joint interface with the intertank.

The LOX tank also includes an internal slosh baffle and a vortex baffle to dampen fluid slosh. The vortex baffle is mounted over the LOX feed outlet to reduce fluid swirl resulting from slosh and to prevent entrapment of gases in the delivered LOX.

===Intertank===<!-- This section is linked from [[STS-51-L Mission timeline]] -->
The intertank is the ET structural connection between the LOX and LH<sub>2</sub> tanks. Its primary functions are to receive and distribute all thrust loads from the SRBs and transfer loads between the tanks.

The two SRB forward attach fittings are located 180° apart on the intertank structure. A beam is extended across the intertank structure and is mechanically fastened to the attach fittings. When the SRBs are firing, the beam will flex due to high stress loads. These loads will be transferred to the fittings.

Adjoining the SRB attach fittings is a major ring frame. The loads are transferred from the fittings to the major ring frame which then distributes the tangential loads to the intertank skin. Two panels of the intertank skin, called the thrust panels, distribute the concentrated axial SRB thrust loads to the LOX and LH<sub>2</sub> tanks and to adjacent intertank skin panels. These adjacent panels are made up of six stringer-stiffened panels.

The intertank also functions as a protective compartment for housing the operational instrumentation.

===Liquid hydrogen tank===
[[Image:Sts et1.jpg|thumb|The {{convert|70|ft||adj=mid|-long}}, {{convert|17|in||adj=mid|-diameter}} liquid oxygen feedline runs externally along the right side of the liquid hydrogen tank up and into the intertank. Two {{convert|5|in|adj=on}} diameter re-pressurization lines run beside it. One supplies hydrogen gas to the liquid hydrogen tank and the other supplies oxygen gas to the liquid oxygen tank. They are used to maintain the [[Ullage (rocketry)|ullage]] pressure in each tank during the launch.]]
The LH<sub>2</sub> tank is the bottom{{efn|name=orientation}} portion of the ET. The tank is constructed of four cylindrical barrel sections, a forward dome, and an aft dome. The barrel sections are joined together by five major ring frames. These ring frames receive and distribute loads. The forward dome-to-barrel frame distributes the loads applied through the intertank structure and is also the flange for attaching the LH<sub>2</sub> tank to the intertank. The aft major ring receives orbiter-induced loads from the aft orbiter support struts and SRB-induced loads from the aft SRB support struts. The remaining three ring frames distribute orbiter thrust loads and LOX feedline support loads. Loads from the frames are then distributed through the barrel skin panels. The LH<sub>2</sub> tank has a volume of {{convert|53488|cuft}} at {{cvt|29.3|psi}} and {{cvt|-423|F}} (cryogenic).

[[File:Space Shuttle external tank assembly 01.jpg|thumb|Interior of a liquid hydrogen tank during assembly at the NASA rocket factory, with humans for scale]]

The forward and aft domes have the same modified ellipsoidal shape. For the forward dome, mounting provisions are incorporated for the LH<sub>2</sub> vent valve, the LH<sub>2</sub> pressurization line fitting, and the electrical feed-through fitting. The aft dome has a manhole fitting for access to the LH<sub>2</sub> feedline screen and a support fitting for the LH<sub>2</sub> feedline.

The LH<sub>2</sub> tank also has a vortex baffle to reduce swirl resulting from slosh and to prevent entrapment of gases in the delivered LH<sub>2</sub>. The baffle is located at the siphon outlet just above the aft dome of the LH<sub>2</sub> tank. This outlet transmits the liquid hydrogen from the tank through a {{convert|17|in}} line to the left aft umbilical. The liquid hydrogen feed line flow rate is {{cvt|465|lb/s}} with the main engines at 104% or a maximum flow of {{cvt|47,365|USgal/min}}.

===Thermal protection system===
[[Image:Sts et.jpg|thumb|upright|The Orbiter attachment hardware, liquid hydrogen umbilical connection (left), and liquid oxygen umbilical connection (right) are visible at the bottom of the tank.]]
The ET thermal protection system consists primarily of spray-on [[foam]] [[Thermal insulation|insulation]] (SOFI), plus preformed foam pieces and premolded [[ablate|ablator]] materials. The system also includes the use of [[Phenolic resin|phenolic]] thermal insulators to preclude air liquefaction. Thermal isolators are required for liquid hydrogen tank attachments to preclude the liquefaction of air on exposed metal, and to reduce heat flow into the liquid hydrogen. While the warmer liquid oxygen results in fewer thermal requirements, the aluminum of the liquid oxygen tank forward areas require protection from [[Aerodynamic heating|aeroheating]]. Meanwhile, insulation on the aft surfaces prevents liquified air from pooling in the intertank. The middle cylinder of the oxygen tank, and the propellant lines, could withstand the expected depths of frost accumulation condensed from humidity, but the orbiter could not take the damage from ice breaking free. The thermal protection system weighs {{convert|4823|lb|kg|abbr=on}}.

Development of the ETs thermal protection system was problematic. Anomalies in foam application were so frequent that they were treated as variances, not safety incidents. NASA had difficulty preventing fragments of foam from detaching during flight for the entire history of the program:

*[[STS-1]] ''[[Space Shuttle Columbia|Columbia]]'', 1981: Crew reports white material streaming past windows during orbiter-external-tank flight. Crew estimated sizes from {{convert|1/4|in|mm|sigfig=1}} to fist-sized. Post-landing report describes probable foam loss of unknown location, and 300 tiles needing outright replacement due to various causes.
*[[STS-4]] ''Columbia'', 1982: PAL ramp loss; 40 tiles require outright replacement.
*[[STS-5]] ''Columbia'', 1982: Continued high rate of tile loss.
*[[STS-7]] ''[[Space Shuttle Challenger|Challenger]]'', 1983: {{convert|50|by|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} Bipod ramp loss photographed, dozens of spot losses.<ref name="sts7">{{cite web |url=http://www.astronautix.com/flights/sts7.htm |title=STS-7 |publisher=Astronautix.com |access-date=November 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129060148/http://astronautix.com/flights/sts7.htm |archive-date=November 29, 2010 }}</ref>
*[[STS-27]] ''[[Space Shuttle Atlantis|Atlantis]]'', 1988: One large loss of uncertain origin, causing one total tile loss. Hundreds of small losses.
*[[STS-32]] ''Columbia'', 1990: Bipod ramp loss photographed; five spot losses up to 70&nbsp;cm in diameter, plus tile damages.<ref name="flatoday">[http://www.floridatoday.com/columbia/shuttlechart.html Insulation problems seen before] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715124906/http://www.floridatoday.com/columbia/shuttlechart.html |date=July 15, 2007 }}</ref>
*[[STS-50]] ''Columbia'', 1992: Bipod ramp loss. 20×10×1&nbsp;cm tile damage.<ref name="flatoday"/>
*[[STS-52]] ''Columbia'', 1992: Portion of bipod ramp, jackpad lost. 290 total tile marks, 16 greater than an inch.
*[[STS-62]] ''Columbia'', 1994: Portion of bipod ramp lost.

In 1995, [[Trichlorofluoromethane|chlorofluorocarbon-11]] (CFC-11) began to be withdrawn from large-area, machine-sprayed foams in compliance with an [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|Environmental Protection Agency]] ban on CFCs under section 610 of the [[Clean Air Act (United States)|Clean Air Act]]. In its place, a [[hydrochlorofluorocarbon]] known as [[1,1-Dichloro-1-fluoroethane|HCFC-141b]] was certified for use and phased into the shuttle program. Remaining foams, particularly detail pieces sprayed by hand, continued to use CFC-11 through the end of the program. These areas include the problematic bipod and PAL ramps, as well as some fittings and interfaces. For the bipod ramp in particular, "the process of applying foam to that part of the tank had not changed since 1993."<ref name="Deseret">Bridis, Ted. "Foam called a concern on flight before Columbia," Deseret News (Salt Lake City), March 22, 2003, pp. 1: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4188/is_20030322/ai_n11384413</ref> The "new" foam containing HCFC 141b was first used on the aft dome portion of ET-82 during the flight of [[STS-79]] in 1996. Use of HCFC 141b was expanded to the ETs area, or larger portions of the tank, starting with ET-88, which flew on [[STS-86]] in 1997.

During the lift-off of [[STS-107]] on January 16, 2003, a piece of foam insulation detached from one of the tank's bipod ramps and struck the leading edge of {{OV|102}}'s wing at a few hundred miles per hour. The impact is believed to have damaged one comparatively large reinforced carbon-carbon panel on the leading edge of the left wing, believed to be about the size of a basketball which then allowed super-heated gas to enter the wing superstructure several days later during re-entry. This resulted in the [[Space Shuttle Columbia disaster|destruction of ''Columbia'']] and the loss of its crew. The report determined that the external fuel tank, ET-93, "had been constructed with BX-250", a closeout foam whose blowing agent was CFC-11 and not the newer HCFC 141b.<ref name="D07">[http://www.nasa.gov/columbia/caib/PDFS/VOL2/D07.PDF Columbia Accident Investigation Board Report, Volume 2, Appendix D], Section 11.3 and figure 11-1, p222, Columbia Accident Investigation Board,</ref>

In 2005, the problem of foam shed had not been fully cured; on [[STS-114]], additional cameras mounted on the tank recorded a piece of foam separated from one of its Protuberance Air Load (PAL) ramps, which are designed to prevent unsteady air flow underneath the tank's cable trays and pressurization lines during ascent. The PAL ramps consist of manually sprayed layers of foam, and are more likely to become a source of debris. That piece of foam did not impact the orbiter.

Reports published concurrent with the [[STS-114]] mission suggest that excessive handling of the ET during modification and upgrade may have contributed to the foam loss on ''Discovery''{{'s}} Return to Flight mission. However, three shuttle missions ([[STS-121]], [[STS-115]], and [[STS-116]]) were later conducted, all with "acceptable" levels of foam loss. However, on [[STS-118]] a piece of foam (and/or ice) about {{cvt|100|mm|order=flip}} in diameter separated from a feedline attachment bracket on the tank, ricocheted off one of the aft struts and struck the underside of the wing, damaging two tiles. The damage was not considered dangerous.

===Hardware===
[[File:STS-116 PreLaunch (NASA KSC-06PD-2670).jpg|thumb|{{OV|103}} before the launch of [[STS-116]] in December 2006. Beneath ''Discovery'''s wings are the tail masts, which provide several umbilical connections to the orbiter, including a liquid-oxygen line through one and a liquid-hydrogen line through another. Seen above the golden external tank is the vent hood (known as the "[[Beanie (seamed cap)|beanie cap]]") at the end of the gaseous oxygen vent arm, extending from the fixed service structure. Vapor boils off the liquid oxygen in the external tank. The hood vents the oxygen vapor away from the Space Shuttle vehicle.]]

The external hardware, ET–orbiter attachment fittings, umbilical fittings, and electrical and range safety system weigh {{convert|9100|lb}}.

====Vents and relief valves====
Each propellant tank has a vent and [[relief valve]] at its forward end. This dual-function valve can be opened by ground support equipment for the vent function during prelaunch and can open during flight when the [[ullage]] (empty space) pressure of the liquid hydrogen tank reaches {{cvt|38|psi}} or the ullage pressure of the liquid oxygen tank reaches {{cvt|25|psi}}.

On early flights, the liquid oxygen tank contained a separate, [[pyrotechnic]]ally operated, propulsive tumble vent valve at its forward end. At separation, the liquid oxygen tumble vent valve was opened, providing impulse to assist in the separation maneuver and more positive control of the entry aerodynamics of the ET. The last flight with the tumble valve active was STS-36.

Each of the two aft external tank umbilical plates mate with a corresponding plate on the orbiter. The plates help maintain alignment among the umbilicals. Physical strength at the umbilical plates is provided by bolting corresponding umbilical plates together. When the orbiter GPCs command external tank separation, the bolts are severed by pyrotechnic devices.

The ET has five propellant umbilical valves that interface with orbiter umbilicals: two for the liquid oxygen tank and three for the liquid hydrogen tank. One of the liquid oxygen tank umbilical valves is for liquid oxygen, the other for gaseous oxygen. The liquid hydrogen tank umbilical has two valves for liquid and one for gas. The intermediate-diameter liquid hydrogen umbilical is a recirculation umbilical used only during the liquid hydrogen chill-down sequence during prelaunch.

[[File:Technicians inspecting the Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate on Space Shuttle Endeavour's external fuel tank during STS-127 - 20090624.jpg|thumb|Technicians inspect the GUCP following a scrub of [[STS-127]] due to elevated hydrogen levels at this connector.]]
As the ET is filled, excess gaseous hydrogen is vented through umbilical connections over a large diameter pipe on an arm extended from the fixed service structure. The connection for this pipe between the ET and service structure is made at the ground umbilical carrier plate (GUCP). Sensors are also installed at the GUCP to measure hydrogen levels. Countdowns of [[STS-80]], [[STS-119]], [[STS-127]] and [[STS-133]] have been halted and resulted in several week delays in the later cases due to hydrogen leaks at this connection. This requires complete draining of the tanks and removal of all hydrogen via helium gas purge, a 20-hour process, before technicians can inspect and repair problems.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Ground Umbilical Carrier Plate|url=http://www1.nasa.gov/multimedia/podcasting/gucp_prt.htm|publisher=NASA|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101124043253/http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/podcasting/gucp_prt.htm|archive-date=November 24, 2010}}</ref>

A cap mounted to the swing-arm on the fixed service structure covers the oxygen tank vent on top of the ET during the countdown and is retracted about two minutes before lift-off. The cap siphons off oxygen vapor that threatens to form large ice accumulations on the ET, thus protecting the orbiter's thermal protection system during launch.

====Sensors====
[[File:Sts et ecographic.jpg|thumb|300px|The location of ECO sensors in the LH<sub>2</sub> tank]]
There are eight propellant-depletion sensors, four each for fuel and oxidizer. The fuel-depletion sensors are located in the bottom of the fuel tank. The oxidizer sensors are mounted in the orbiter liquid oxygen feed line manifold downstream of the feed line disconnect. During RS-25 thrusting, the orbiter general-purpose computers constantly compute the instantaneous mass of the vehicle due to the usage of the propellants. Normally, main engine cutoff is based on a predetermined velocity; however, if any two of the fuel or oxidizer sensors sense a dry condition, the engines will be shut down.

The locations of the liquid oxygen sensors allow the maximum amount of oxidizer to be consumed in the engines, while allowing sufficient time to shut down the engines before the oxidizer pumps [[cavitation|cavitate]] (run dry). In addition, {{convert|1100|lb|kg|abbr=on}} of liquid hydrogen are loaded over and above that required by the 6:1 oxidizer–fuel engine mixture ratio. This assures that cutoff from the depletion sensors is fuel-rich; oxidizer-rich engine shutdowns can cause burning and severe erosion of engine components, potentially leading to loss of the vehicle and crew.

Unexplained, erroneous readings from fuel depletion sensors have delayed several shuttle launch attempts, most notably [[STS-122]]. On December 18, 2007, a tanking test determined the cause of the errors to be a fault in a wiring connector, rather than a failure of the sensors themselves.<ref>
{{cite web | url = http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hwoRZdYGkG1X3lZOF3x4GduJuKNQ | title = NASA eyes faulty gauge wires as source of shuttle problems | date = December 18, 2007 | publisher = AFP | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080218101202/http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hwoRZdYGkG1X3lZOF3x4GduJuKNQ | archive-date = February 18, 2008
}}</ref>

Four [[pressure transducer]]s located at the top of the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen tanks monitor the ullage pressures.

The ET also has two electrical umbilicals that carry electrical power from the orbiter to the tank and the two SRBs and provide information from the SRBs and ET to the orbiter.

The ET has external cameras mounted in the brackets attached to the shuttle along with transmitters that can continue to send video data long after the shuttle and the ET have separated.

===Range safety system===

Earlier tanks incorporated a [[Range safety|range safety system]] to disperse tank propellants if necessary. It included a [[Battery (electricity)|battery]] power source, a receiver/decoder, antennas and [[Explosive material|ordnance]]. Starting with [[STS-79]] this system was disabled, and was completely removed for [[STS-88]] and all subsequent flights.




==Future use==
In 1990, it was suggested that the external tank would be used as a [[lunar habitat]]<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=King CB, Butterfield AJ, Hypes WD, Nealy JE, Simonsen LC |title=Lunar habitat concept employing the space shuttle external tank |journal=Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets |volume=27 |issue=3 |pages=225–6 |year=1990 |pmid=11539123|bibcode=1990JSpRo..27..225K |doi=10.2514/3.26128 }}</ref> or as an orbital station.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.permanent.com/ext-tank.htm|title=SHUTTLE'S THROWAWAY EXTERNAL TANK -- INSTEAD, COLLECTING AND USING THEM IN ORBIT|access-date=February 27, 2014|archive-date=March 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329005827/http://www.permanent.com/ext-tank.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> These proposals did not come to fruition.

===As basis for Ares in Constellation===
With the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011,<ref name="NASAlaunchschedule">[http://www.nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html NASA launch schedule], accessed 2009/09/23</ref> NASA, with its canceled [[Constellation program]], which featured the [[Orion spacecraft]], would also have featured the debut of two Shuttle-derived launch vehicles, the [[Human-rating certification|human-rated]] [[Ares I]] crew-launch vehicle and the heavy-lift [[Ares V]] cargo-launch vehicle.

While both the Ares I and Ares V would have utilized a modified five-segment Solid Rocket Booster for its first stage, the ET would have served as a baseline technology for the first stage of the Ares V and the second stage of the Ares I; as a comparison, the Ares I second stage would have held approximately {{convert|26000|USgal|L|abbr=on}} of LOX, versus the ET holding {{convert|146000|USgal|L|abbr=on}}, more than 5 times that amount.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}}

The Ares V first stage, which would have been fitted with five [[RS-68 (rocket engine)|RS-68]] rocket engines (the same engine used on the [[Delta IV rocket]]), would be {{convert|33|ft|m|0}} in diameter, as wide as the [[S-IC]] and [[S-II]] stages on the [[Saturn V]] rocket. It would have utilized the same internal ET configuration (separate LH<sub>2</sub> and LOX tanks separated with an intertank structure), but would have been configured to directly accept LH<sub>2</sub> and LOX fill and drain, along with LOX venting on a retractable arm like that used on the Shuttle for LH<sub>2</sub>.

[[Image:Rocket size comparison.png|thumb|300px|Comparison of the [[Saturn V]], [[Space Shuttle]], [[Ares I]], [[Ares IV]] and [[Ares V]]]]

The Ares I second stage, on the other hand, would have only used the spray-on insulation foam currently used on the current ET. Originally configured like that of the Ares V and the Shuttle ET, NASA, upon completing its design review in 2006, decided, in order to save weight and costs, to reconfigure the internal structure of the second stage by using a combined LH<sub>2</sub>/LOX tank with the propellants separated by a common bulkhead, a configuration successfully used on the S-II and [[S-IVB]] stages of the Saturn V rocket. Unlike the Ares V, which would have used the same fill/drain/vent configuration used on the Shuttle, the Ares I system would have utilized a traditional fill/drain/vent system used on the Saturn IB and Saturn V rockets, but with quick-retracting arms due to the "leap frog" speed the Ares I would expect upon SRB ignition.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}}

As originally envisioned, both the Ares I and Ares V would have used a modified "throw away" version of the [[RS-25]] engine, but in due course, because of the need to keep R&D costs down and to maintain a schedule set by NASA Administration [[Michael D. Griffin]] to launch the Ares and Orion by 2011, NASA decided (after the 2006 review) to switch to the cheaper [[RS-68]] engine for the Ares V and to an uprated [[J-2 (rocket engine)|J-2]] engine for the Ares I. Because of the switch to the less efficient RS-68, the Ares V was widened from {{convert|28.6|to|33|ft|m|2}} to accommodate the extra propellants, while the Ares I was reconfigured to incorporate a fifth solid-rocket segment with the J-2X upper stage, as the new engine has less thrust than the original RS-25. Because of the trade-off, NASA would save an estimated [[USD]] $35 million by using simplified, higher thrust RS-68 engines (reconfigured to fire and perform like the SSME), while at the same time, eliminate the costly tests needed for an air-startable RS-25 for the Ares I.

===Proposed for DIRECT===
The [[DIRECT]] project, a proposed alternative shuttle-derived vehicle, would have used a modified, standard diameter, external tank with three RS-25 engines, with two standard SRBM, as a Crew Launch Vehicle. The same vehicle, with one extra RS-25, and an EDS upper stage, would have served as the Cargo Launch Vehicle. It was planned to save $16 billion, eliminate NASA job losses, and reduce the post-shuttle, crewed spaceflight gap from five plus years to two or less.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}}

===Core stage of Space Launch System===
The [[Space Launch System]] (SLS) is a US [[Super heavy-lift launch vehicle|super heavy-lift]] [[expendable launch system|expendable launch vehicle]], which first flew on [[Artemis 1]] in November 2022.

The core stage of the rocket is {{convert|8.4|m|sp=us}} in diameter and mount a Main Propulsion System (MPS) incorporating four [[RS-25]] engines.<ref name=NASA_Fact-Sht>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/664158main_sls_fs_master.pdf |title=space launch system |date=2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813043824/http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/664158main_sls_fs_master.pdf |archive-date=August 13, 2012 |website=NASAfacts |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="NSFTrades">{{cite web|website=NASASpaceFlight.com|access-date=January 26, 2012|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/10/sls-trades-opening-four-rs-25s-core-stage/ |date=October 4, 2011|author=Chris Bergin|title=SLS trades lean towards opening with four RS-25s on the core stage}}</ref> The core stage is structurally similar to the Space Shuttle external tank,<ref name="spaceflightnow">{{cite news |title=NASA to set exploration architecture this summer |author=Stephen Clark |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1103/31slsmpcv/ |publisher=Spaceflight Now |date= March 31, 2011 |access-date=May 26, 2011}}</ref><ref name="NSFAnnounce">{{cite web |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/09/sls-finally-announced-nasa-forward-path/ |title=SLS finally announced by NASA – Forward path taking shape |date=September 14, 2011 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |access-date=January 26, 2012 |author=Chris Bergin}}</ref> and initial flights will use modified RS-25D engines left over from the Space Shuttle program.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sloss|first1=Philip|title=NASA ready to power up the RS-25 engines for SLS |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/01/nasa-ready-power-up-rs-25-engine/ |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |date=January 2, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2015}}</ref> Later flights will switch to a cheaper version of the engine not intended for reuse.<ref name=NSFStennis012015>{{cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Lloyd |title=NASA conducts 13th test of Space Launch System RS-25 engine |url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-centers/stennis-space-center/nasa-conducts-13th-test-space-launch-system-rs-25-engine/ |publisher=SpaceflightInsider.com |date=March 25, 2017 |access-date=April 29, 2017 |archive-date=April 26, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426153013/https://www.spaceflightinsider.com/space-centers/stennis-space-center/nasa-conducts-13th-test-space-launch-system-rs-25-engine/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Un-flown hardware===
[[File:Space Shuttle Pathfinder Highsmith.jpg|thumb|MPTA-ET includes additional internal structural supports<ref>{{Cite book |title=Remove before flight : memoir of a space shuttle team member |last=Phillips |first=Scott |date=2014 |publisher=Tate Publishing & Enterprises |isbn=9781633675001 |location=Mustang, Okla. |oclc=894541100}}</ref> to hold the weight of Space Shuttle ''Pathfinder'' at the [[U.S. Space & Rocket Center]].]]
[[MPTA-ET]] is on display with the [[Space Shuttle Pathfinder|Space Shuttle ''Pathfinder'']] at the [[U.S. Space & Rocket Center]] in [[Huntsville, Alabama]].

ET-94 (older version LWT) is in [[Los Angeles]] and in 2019 was scheduled to be displayed with [[Space Shuttle Endeavour|Space Shuttle ''Endeavour'']] at the [[California Science Center]] when the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center opened.<ref name="ET-94toCSS">{{cite web|url=http://californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/air-space/space-shuttle-endeavour/external-tank |title=The California Science Center's External Tank |publisher=californiasciencecenter.org |access-date=May 29, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearlman |first=Robert Z. |date=2016-05-22 |title=Space Shuttle External Tank Completes Road Trip to CA Science Center |url=https://www.space.com/32949-space-shuttle-external-tank-completes-road-trip-to-ca-science-center.html |access-date=2024-03-31 |website=Space.com |language=}}</ref> On January 15, 2024 it was announced in a press release that ET-94, 2 [[Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster|solid rocket boosters]], and the Space Shuttle ''Endeavour'' had been linked together and expected them to be moved by the end of the month to their new exhibit location.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2024 |title=California Science Center press release |url=https://californiasciencecenter.org/press-room/pressrelease/2024-01-15/with-the-lift-and-mating-of-et-94-the-california-science-center |access-date=February 22, 2024 |website=California Science Center}}</ref>

Three other external tanks were in preparation when the manufacturing stopped. ET-139 is at advanced stage of manufacturing; ET-140 and ET-141 are in early stages of manufacturing.<ref name="futureET">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2010/06/sd-hlv-assessment-highlights-post-shuttle-solution/ |title=Completed SD HLV assessment highlights low-cost post-shuttle solution |publisher=Nasaspaceflight.com |date=June 18, 2010 |access-date=November 25, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2009/02/shuttle-planning-clfs-ams-noted-maf-extra-ets/ |title=Downstream shuttle planning: CLFs, AMS noted, MAF working on extra ETs |publisher=Nasaspaceflight.com |date=February 11, 2009 |access-date=November 25, 2010}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Space Launch System]] (a super heavy-lift launch vehicle, one flight to date with more planned)
* [[DIRECT]] (a proposed heavy launch system)
* [[MPTA-ET]] (external tank test for STS)
* [[List of reentering space debris]]
* [[List of heaviest spacecraft]]
==Notes==
{{notelist|refs=
{{efn|name=orientation
 |Officially, these are referred to as "forward/aft" as the positions on the shuttle are referred to with respect to the orbiter in horizontal/gliding flight, but when mounted vertically on the launch platform it is seen as the "top/bottom."
 }}
}}
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Further reading ==
* [http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/pdf/114022main_TPS_FS.pdf "External Tank Thermal Protection System"] NASA Facts ''Return to Flight Focus Area'', National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama (Pub 8-40392, FS2005-4-10-MSFC, April 2005)
*National Aeronautics and Space Administration. ''Booster Systems Briefs''. Basic, Rev F, PCN 1. April 27, 2005.
*National Aeronautics and Space Administration. ''Shuttle Systems Design Criteria. Volume I: Shuttle Performance Assessment Databook''. NSTS 08209, Volume I, Revision B. March 16, 1999.

==External links==
{{Commons category|Space Shuttle external tanks}}
*[http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/multimedia/photogallery/photos/photogallery/shuttle/shuttle.html Space Shuttle Propulsion and External Tank Photo Gallery]
*{{YouTube|E4PILOsEzBo|"STS-115 Launch as seen from ET Camera"}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110724080657/http://anon.nasa-global.speedera.net/anon.nasa-global/CAIB/CAIB_lowres_chapter3.pdf Columbia Accident Investigation Board] Report, Volume 1, Chapter 3, "Accident Analysis," August 2003
*{{YouTube|dZN7eHxexZg|"STS-125 View of the External Tank Jettisoned and in decaying orbit as viewed from the Shuttle ''Atlantis''"}}
*[[s:Perun 1979|"Space Shuttle External Tank Used as a Space Station - Study Project Perun" Award-winning student paper from 1979 about building a space station from the External Tank]]
*{{Cite web |url=http://californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/air-space/space-shuttle-endeavour/external-tank |title=External Tank |publisher=California Science Center}}
*{{HAER |survey=TX-116-J |id=tx1116 |title=Space Transportation System, External Tank, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, 2101 NASA Parkway, Houston, Harris County, TX |dwgs=3}}

{{Space Shuttle}}

{{Lockheed Martin}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Space Shuttle External Tank}}
[[Category:Space Shuttle program|External Tank]]
[[Category:Fuel containers]]
[[Category:Historic American Engineering Record in Texas]]