The orbiter has three components: 1) a crew module; 2) payload bay; and 3) propulsion system. The crew module has a flight deck for the Aeronauts, a mid-deck and lower-deck. The orbiter has a thermal protection system (TPS) that is a combination of materials used on the outer structure of the orbiter to protect the shuttle from the extreme temperatures in space and upon entering Earth's atmosphere. It is light, stable at high temperatures, and is reusable. The payload bay is a long berth with 60-foot doors that has a combined area of about 1,600 square feet. Some shuttle bays include an electromechanical arm that maneuvers and deploys payloads. There is also an upper stage which houses the communication, tracking and data relay satellites.

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Please send any comments to:
Curator: Tom.Benson@grc.nasa.gov
Responsible Official: Kathy.Zona@grc.nasa.gov