Space Shuttle

The space shuttle system is made up of three main components:

• The two Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs), which provide 80 percent of launch thrust.
• The huge rust-colored External Tank (ET), which feeds fuel to three Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) during launch
• The orbiter itself, which serves as the crew's home in space and is equipped to dock with the International Space Station.

NASA has made many safety improvements to the shuttle system, including redesigning and refitting the External Tank to reduce the risk of foam and ice hitting the orbiter during liftoff.