Man, the interview segments with Bruce were so good. He seems like such a down-to-Earth guy, no pun intended.

I enjoyed the discussion about the frangible nuts on the hold-down posts.

My dad flew us out half way across the country to see the final space shuttle launch when I was like 13 and I’ll never forget it. It is absolutely mind blowing to see it fly off into space with your own eyes.

It took enormous effort by a lot of people to make this thing fly. Just the sheer number of possible failures is almost overwhelming. Too bad it was so expensive to keep running. We've needed it several times since its retirement. Hubble needs it right now.

Small correction - The solid rocket boosters the Space Shuttle *were* the largest ever flown at the time. However, the SLS had an upgraded version of Space Shuttle's solid booster which added sections, resulting in even greater thrust. So as of the first SLS launch, it took the cake.

At 3:26 you got open and close loop backwards. It enters CLOSED loop when it starts to monitor itself to make adjustments. An open loop system is when no feedback is taken into account by the controller. In an open loop its a one way street nothing comes back. In a close loop control signals are sent out and the data that is gathered comes back to the controller forming a closed loop.

I got to watch a test fire of one of the solid boosters while standing next to an astronaut at the closest safe distance in Utah once, one of the coolest experiences of my life. It's absolutely mind blowing how violent and powerful it was, I could feel the rumble in my chest making each breath feel like it was vibrating out of me.

I've been hoping for years now that you would do an episode on the shuttle, amazing work as usual!

I have seen thousands of UKposts videos but this is one of the best made in my opinion. The animations/renderings are amazing..

The Space Shuttle was *SUCH* a big deal when I was a kid. I was 11 years old when the first one was launched in 1981. The reusability factor was very heavily played up in the media, because up to then, only the tiny little crew module ever came back from any space missions. My family went on vacation to Florida in 1982 (or maybe it was ' 83?), and we took a tour of the Kennedy Space Center. I remember watching a demonstration where a technician heated up a piece of one of the Space Shuttle's thermal tiles, using a blowtorch, to the point where it was red hot -- then he picked it up with his bare hands!! That stuff was AMAZING!!! I'm sure future episodes of this series will cover the incredible engineering behind those tiles. Definitely looking forward to those!

Every time I watch a video from your team, I am reminded that TV documentaries are no longer the gold standard in educational/inspirational content. That award goes to you for sure. Good job!

I’m only 5 minutes into this video, and I am certain this is an absolute masterpiece of a production. Nobody has ever combined the casual and understandable kind of explanation that the astronauts use, with state of the art graphics and visuals that complete the whole idea in such a beautiful way. Thank you for making this content for all of us to enjoy, and even more importantly you are inspiring the new generations with it as well.

Born in '83 and the space shuttle was a fixture for most of my life. It will always be my favorite spacecraft!

“Reusable” is an overstatement. Its more in line with “refurbish-able”😂

At 2:34 you made a series of small mistakes. The liquid hydrogen does not go from the tank to the channels, it goes from the low pressure turbine, to the high pressure one, to the nozzle. What happens is, The low pressure turbine is densing it up a little, in preparation for the powerful one, which then pushes the fluid through the channels to heat up and expand, then the expanded gasses drive the small turbine, and then the gasses drive the preburners. Surprising that you made this mistake despite the graph shown in the video has it written otherwise, but nonetheless amazing quality video, exceptional effort put in.

I've personally met many shuttle astronauts, and just like this guy they are all incredibly passionate about the program and their experiences, but also humble. Love hearing these guys talk about it. Amazing video, looking forward to the rest of them.

I was one of the engineers who developed and tested the space shuttle. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.

Watched the first one launch ( columbia ) when i was 8 yrs old, it fueled the imagination of my 8 yr old former self . Was heart broken when challenger and columbia were lost , then again when the program was cancelled. Truly an Awe-ing program, so many first, i feel privileged to have been able to witness it all.

Just wanna say i love your videos, the production quality and explanations are top notch and you are an excellent narrator too.

I grew up reading about the space shuttle. Had forgotten how badly I loved it. This video brought back fond memories of my childhood. Made me hopeful again haha. Great video man.

At 3:20 should that be closed loop control?

The Space Shuttle was an engineering marvel but also a death trap just by its overall design concept. Its amazing that a single one of the daredevils that rode it made it back alive, let alone hundreds. Its a true testimonial to the skill and dedication of all the people that worked on it.

Fantastic video, I'm so happy to see from this channel. More space videos!

This is the best documentary I’ve ever seen. I was fresh out of college when John and Bob rode Columbia for the first time. I was a simple engineer. I made parts for these things and I truly believe I grew up in the best time in America. We cared. 😊

This was really cool! I would like it if you made one on the shuttle itself, on the systems and engineering to make it work, and the crane arm too. I've always heard it's the most complex piece of hardware ever engineered, I'm sure there's a gold mine of challenges to discuss.

What a super well made video. I've been a space nerd and fan of Apollo/Shuttle since I was a kid and I learned a TON on this video. Thanks for making these.

Absolutely love the incredible animations and engineering principles that you show. Thanks!

Such a great in depth but yet simplified video! The top quality with the animations and transitions make it very enjoyable to watch.

Thank you for explaining my favourite piloted space system without dumbing it down like the popular science documentaries are required to do. Despite being a lifelong Shuttle junkie (with two live launches, and one landing at Edwards AFB) I was impressed with the depth of details you've revealed - well done to the team who put this together. Keep up the great work of saving the IQ level on UKposts! 😊

I learned so much from your detailed animations. Thank you Bruce, these first hand experiences mean a lot.

Without a doubt one of the best videos I've seen of the Space Shuttle! Loved the aspects of real footage merged with animations. I saw STS 132, Atlantis' second-to-last mission in person from Kennedy Space Center in 2010... Years later, I visited the space center again and walked the same pathway around Atlantis where you interviewed Bruce. Seeing that amazing vehicle up close was an unforgettable experience. Good work!

Thank you so much to the entire team for this video. What an incredible production that allows us to feel closer to this engineering masterpiece.

The Shuttle was something I was amazed as a child and dreamed about flying one. That obviously did not happen and I did not even see one launch with my very own eyes. Thank you for bringing back the excitement I felt about this amazing machine.

1:39 The SLS SRB's are larger and more powerful than the ones that were used for STS. Not to mention Aerojet 260.

It is so cool that you got Bruce to do an interview for the video. Every second he was on was fantastic.

Another GREAT video! I grew up with the space shuttles in the 90's and early 2000's. On a visit in Florida I actually saw the last Space Shuttle just after landing. Love your videos as always, would love an Insane Engineering video on the Cybertruck or Starship!

Amazing insights from Bruce that I've never even thought about previously let alone heard before.

Very interesting! Also didnt know the solid rockets had thrust vectoring. Amazing! Thought vectoring was all done by the orbiter motors all these years!

Semper Paratus Commander, you've done the Coast Guard proud. I didn't realize it until this video, but your work was instrumental to my job today, flying the MH-65.

Fantastic Episode Brian and Team. Level of detail you guys went to in unbelievable!

Thank you for all the amazing content

21:01 um-biblical, or umbilical? j/k Great vid as usual, always love the content.

I have loved space ever since i was a kid. Videos like this fill me will that sense on wonder like i am a kid again. There is something so special about these machines, the engineering, and the people involved that i can't put into words. Had the honor of meeting one of the Apollo engineers down in Huntsville. My biggest dream is going to space one day even if its the last thing i ever do.

I just now discovered this series! Thank you for this lovely series. I never knew about twang.

Awesome breakdown! Hope you'll make the one about Buran and Energia after the second part🤞🏼

You really gotta hand the conceptualizations and validation of this design and operation during a time when you only had one shot to get such a behemoth off the ground. Not to take credit away from SpaceX's iterative approach to optimize resusability, engineers during this era really had to stretch the capabilities of their mathematics and understanding of materials and how this integrated entirely. For me, a strong fan of SpaceX, the renewed interest of space wouldn't have relit if you didn't have engineering of this feat to show of what is capable when great minds come together. Truly impressive.

The simultaneous filling of the boosters is a pretty crafty solution !

Watching this with my Endeavour sweat shirt from the California Science Center. Love this.

I was in first grade when astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen launched in STS-1, the first orbital flight of the Space Shuttle. It had never been tested before! Those two men took a tremendous leap of confidence, not ever having seen a space shuttle launch successfully before. No humans before or since that day were bold enough to fly a completely untested spacecraft. Incredibly brave or incredibly crazy, either way it was incredible to watch. Me and my best friend were glued to the tv that day and I’ll never forget those two names.

I think at 3:20 you mean closed loop engine control :)

Really cool to see an interview like this on the channel. I know you mentioned you're trying to take a new direction with your content and I think this is definitely the right one to take.

I just watched the full tour of the space shuttle on nebula, and it was absolutely awesome. I'm jealous Brian got a private tour from the guy who actually flew on missions on the shuttle, and I'm very glad I could witness that private tour as a video. Highly recommend watching his videos on nebula

The solid boosters of the SLS are larger than those of the Shuttle (one more segment).🤨

Been hoping you’d make a video about this ship!

This is a sensational, enormous video! I've never seen such perfect graphical illustrations, I've got a plenty of new informations, although I saw a lot of space technics videos. Thank you!

This is by far the best video on space shuttles. Thank you so much for this

3:18 Isn't it the opposite ? I think "Open Loop" means there is no sensor feedback to control the engine, just a constant setpoint for valve opening, etc

MIT has free lectures called Aircraft Systems Engineering right here on UKposts. Each one is a discussion of designing the different components of the shuttle, told by the people who actually designed or worked on it. They are great listens for anyone interested.

The production value and the technical content of this video is just *chef's kiss*.

That was amazing. Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye, great job!

The Space Shuttle's engineering is truly insane, and underrated.

The space shuttle is one of the coolest things humans have made! Does anyone here remembers the Cowboy Bebop chapter were the Space shuttle appears?

Smarter every day and everyday astronaut also have great in depth explorations on the shuttle, highly recommend watching those

I've never seen this subject explained so well. Thank you for this!

how about we get an episode about the insane documentaries we get for free by you? I am always surprised by the quality of the videos you give to us for free!

I think there is a mistake at 3:20. It is supposed to be a closed loop not open.

Best explained version of the Shuttle launch with the mechanical explanation of how it works. I learned something new, and will comprise on that. Great job, and next should be SH/SS. Again, great job. Watched the video twice. Keep it up, and looking froward to the next video. - NOM

Great video. The renders of the space shuttle are so beautiful. Thanks for creating this for us to enjoy for free.

STS truly was some insane engineering, computers were still fairly primitive in the early 70s when they started designing it so I suppose the engineers were still using slide rules. Side note, the wife and I were in Florida recently and got to see Atlantis at KSC. We had already seen Discovery at the Smithsonian but Atlantis was almost close enough to touch!

Could you do a video on Linear Accelerators? I currently am an intern in the area and the few I know I find it amazing. I already knew a few on MRI and your video on it gave me more interest in the area even further.

This is your best video yet! I'm a pretty big spaceflight buff, but I learned a huge amount of new and incredibly interesting stuff from this vid 👍

Excellent video. Excellent research, presentation & animations. I’ve watched countless space shuttle videos over the years, and there are very few where I learn as much as I did in this one.

Can’t get over the pronunciation of column 😂

I can appreciate the space shuttle for the immense amount of work that went into to it and it's unique capabilities but damn I can say I'm glad we don't use it anymore. In the end it was an incredibly expensive flying death trap effectively designed by the demands of ignorant politicians that was barely refurbishable, much less reusable. Arguably the single biggest reason why we have been stuck in LEO since the Apollo era. I wish they at least had gone the Soviet Energia-Buran route and made an independent super heavy lift rocket that could also launch other payloads than simply the space shuttle (Plus those nice nice liquid boosters).

Video Suggestion: The insane engineering of the F-105 Thunderchief. Even when loaded with bombs it would outrun F-4 Phantoms down on the deck.

I am so happy and inspired that you released this video. Very well done!!

*Summary* *Intro* - 0:00 Sponsored by Nebula. - 0:02 Episode 2 available for viewing with a sign-up link in the description. - 0:14 Spring evening, 1992: Endeavor Space Shuttle's maiden flight, at Cape Canaveral, Florida. - 0:30 Crew ready for a daring orbital rendezvous and rescue mission. - 0:40 Bruce Melnick was aboard; mission to rescue a satellite not designed for human contact. - 0:53 Satellite in a faulty 800-mile orbit due to a failed unmanned rocket's second stage. - 1:08 Crew's mission: to manually attach a new second stage to the satellite. - 1:18 Shuttle's launch involved 3 liquid fuel rocket engines, held back by 8 explosive bolts. *Shuttle design and launch* - 1:40 Features two massive solid rocket boosters, the largest ever made. - 2:25 Shuttle's main engines fueled by liquid hydrogen, with intricate engineering processes. - 3:01 Solid rocket boosters ignited upon main engines reaching 90% thrust. - 4:46 Boosters are 45 meters long, filled with a rubbery fuel-oxidizer mix. - 5:11 Ignition system involves a chain of solid rocket motors for rapid combustion. - 5:39 Several safety mechanisms in place for the arming sequence. - 6:14 Hold down posts and explosive bolts (frangible nuts) secure the Shuttle during ignition. - 6:52 Stud hang-ups (frangible nuts not fracturing correctly) addressed in STS-126 redesign. - 7:55 Solid rocket boosters provide immense thrust, initially met with concern for crewed missions. - 8:30 Once ignited, solid rocket boosters cannot be stopped until fuel is expended. - 9:00 Solid rocket boosters' thrust profile managed by internal cavity shapes. - 9:52 Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters' unique design for controlled thrust. - 11:03 Nozzles capable of thrust vectoring for steering during ascent. - 11:39 Space Shuttle's aerodynamic surfaces reduce stress and drag, inactive in controlling ascent. - 11:49 Launch sequence detailed with specific technical steps and safety precautions. - 11:49 Space Shuttle reaches significant speed shortly after takeoff. *Ascent Dynamics* - Roll Programme Initiation (11:55): Initiated through asymmetric thrust vectoring of solid rocket boosters' nozzles, using actuators in the aft skirt. - Hydraulic Actuators (12:05): Two hydraulic actuators per nozzle enable movement in pitch and yaw. - Space Shuttle Maneuver (12:10-12:17): Performs a 180-degree turn and pitches 12 degrees off a straight-up trajectory for orbital heading and reduced dynamic pressure on wings. - Launch Pad Design (12:28-12:47): Space Shuttle launch orientation due to pad design for Saturn V; roll program simpler than building a new launch pad. - Breaking Sound Barrier (12:49-13:08): Shuttle exceeds sound speed, silencing rocket engines; air noise likened to a train in a tunnel. - Solid Rocket Boosters' Quiet Phase (13:25-13:36): Diminishing noise as SRBs near fuel depletion, two minutes into flight. - SRB Separation Process (13:39-14:22): Lower chamber pressure triggers separation, assisted by thrust vectoring system and orbiter commands; SRBs attached at four points, detached with explosive bolts and separation motors. - Experience of Booster Separation (14:34-15:18): Loud bang, fireball-like visual effect, followed by view of space. - SRBs Post-Separation (15:22-15:41): SRBs ascend, then descend with parachutes for ocean recovery. *Orbiter's Journey* - Orbiter's Second Stage (15:46-16:14): Smooth 'electric drive' phase, engines throttled back at three Gs for structural integrity. - External Tank Design and Compromises (16:19-17:50): Non-reusable, structurally integral, bearing significant loads; aluminum skin reinforced with rings and stringers, covered in insulation foam. - Liquid Oxygen Tank Placement (18:16-19:20): On top of external tank for stability, gravity center above pressure center. - Intertank Structure (19:33-20:02): Load-bearing, with a hidden beam and attachments for SRBs and orbiter. - Fuel and Oxidizer Flow (20:03-21:55): Large pipes for liquid oxygen and hydrogen, with anti-vortex baffles, running outside the hydrogen tank to orbiter connections. - Ullage Pressure Maintenance (21:24-22:12): Essential for tank structural integrity, using gases tapped off from fuel lines and heat exchangers. *Post-Launch Procedures* - 22:31 The Space Shuttle's umbilical connections included data and electrical connections and a liquid hydrogen recirculation connection for engine chill down before launch. - 22:44 The main engine cutoff process is triggered by a predetermined velocity or low fuel and oxidizer levels, detected by sensors in the liquid hydrogen and oxygen tanks. - 23:14 An extra 500 kilograms of liquid hydrogen ensures fuel-rich engine cutoff, avoiding damage from oxidizer-rich shutdowns. - 23:39 After main engine cutoff, the external tank separates from the orbiter, which then becomes weightless. Closing the umbilical doors is critical for reentry. - 24:47 The external tank, not reused unlike other shuttle components, tumbles back to Earth and breaks up in the atmosphere. - 25:09 Astronauts take pictures of the external tank after separation to check for abnormalities. - 26:47 The Space Shuttle was a reusable spacecraft with features like sleeping quarters, life support, airlocks, and orbital maneuvering systems. - 26:56 The episode is part of a series on the engineering of the Space Shuttle, with future episodes covering other mission stages and stories from astronaut Bruce's missions. - 27:00 Nebula offers lifetime memberships and exclusive content, including series on logistics and engineering topics. *Glossary* *Ullage:* the amount by which a container falls short of being full. Disclaimer: I used the transcript and ChatGPT4. I described the method in a comment under this video: ukposts.info/have/v-deo/moaVZ52hrYahlJs.html&lc=Ugz5WMDmqbHQXGVYUVN4AaABAg.9yJXOPwYK2a9yJ_Q-xgvIG

what an epic series, crazy content. Could you do an extremely detailed video about starship at one point? Also explain the general stuff of the gound systems

going into detail about how the internal shape of the solid rocket booster works was something i wasn't expecting! great stuff.

I stayed up late for once and got rewarded with a video by my favourite channel on my favourite topic. I should do this more often.

9:18 “colyum”? Which accent pronounces “column” as “kol-yum”?

For it's originally designed purpose, the Shuttle program largely failed. But what NASA accomplished and engineered was nothing short of absolutely amazing. The Shuttles were a *huge* part of my childhood dreams. They were awe inspiring, bigger than life, and just beautiful to look at. I was at STS 133 and Discovery's final launch. It was both incredible and saddening. When the Shuttles were retired, that huge part of childhood was gone. I miss the old girls.

Wish I had seen this documentary before the Shuttle program was mothballed. But it's never too late to learn. Thank you for this awesome series!

Just a quick mention, fantastiv video and detail is insane. I love it. I did spot however that you spoke about endevour on the pad @0:31 but showed atlantis in the animation.

23:50 - "umbiblical"

I love the space shuttle. too bad they discontinued it btw quit arguing in replies and go do something else with your life, nobody is gonna see your message anyways

Completely fantastic video, great explanation and interview, thank you for this!

i never gave it much thought, but the fact that the srb's hold the whole shuttle absolutely blows my mind. fully fueled they hold over 100 tons - well i guess they hold easily over 50 tons each. what an engineering marvel.

By far the most insane thing about the STS were the politics that ruined the program...

Should be called "Insanely stupid engineering of the space shuttle". Responsible for the most deaths in space travel (14). Was supposed to be "reusable" and turned into a cash cow for Boeing/Lockheed because it had to be almost completely rebuilt after each flight. Costs kept development of a replacement from happening for decades. This thing used core memory for most of it's lifespan which was technology from the 60's. The space shuttle was a stupid boondoggle that pushed back space travel for the majority of my life (60yo). We retired the program with no replacement. If it wasn't for SpaceX, we would still be buying rides from the Russians.

0:37 I just visited the Endeavour in LA yesterday. Absolutely amazing spaceship!

As an airline employee and lifelong aviation (and space) fanatic, I understand the importance of redundancies for safety. It would be really interesting to see a video on numerous redundancies inherent in the space shuttle program, whether executed or never used (maybe a video on one or the other would be easiest because I know there must've been countless items with numerous backups).

"Umbiblical"?

Do the Buran too, its arguably the better orbiter system, even if funding dried up before it could prove itself.

What a legendary machine. Thanks for covering it on your channel

The animations and graphics in this video are SOO GOOD, this is why I love this channel

Dude I already pay for premium. I don't want to sign up for Nebula. Streaming services are like mix tapes in the 90's. Everyone has one.

2 things about staging that I think the viewers would find interesting. First, the rocket motors that push the boosters away are the same ones used in the AIM 120 AMRAAM missile. Second, in order for the rocket thrust to not damage the orbiter, the forward RCS fires over the window to create a “force field” that prevents the rocket exhaust from damaging the orbiter.

Man tank you for your vids you really put a lot of effort to make those high quality vids explaining in detail Thank you

always excited for a space video. keep up the great work dude