Space Shuttle Reference Manual PDF Download

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the availability of the Space Shuttle Reference Manual in PDF format. Participants explore where to find this manual, express concerns about the accessibility of such information, and compare it to the availability of specifications for other aerospace vehicles.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks for help in finding a downloadable PDF version of the Space Shuttle Reference Manual.
  • Another suggests that the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Forum might provide better assistance.
  • Some participants recommend searching Google and the NASA website for information.
  • Concerns are raised about the availability of information regarding the Space Shuttle compared to military aircraft, with one participant questioning why such information is accessible.
  • Another participant mentions that Arianespace provides user manuals for their rockets, implying that availability may vary by organization.
  • It is noted that Boeing and Lockheed have payload planner's guides available online, but NASA may have restricted access to Shuttle-related documents due to uncertainty about its future.
  • A participant shares that they have a copy of the payload canister system but only in hardcopy format.
  • One participant expresses frustration at not finding a complete manual despite extensive searching.
  • There is a humorous remark about the potential value of a used Space Shuttle orbiter.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the availability of the Space Shuttle Reference Manual, with multiple competing views on how accessible such information is and the reasons behind it.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the classification of specifications for military aircraft compared to the Space Shuttle, indicating a lack of clarity on what information is publicly available.

Clausius2
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Anybody knows where can I download the Space Shuttle Reference Manual in PDF version?.

Any helps welcomed.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Forum might give you better replies.
 
try google
 
Search the NASA site, I remember some general info on the JPL
site too.

Be careful man, the SS has many alarm systems and there're
few buyers to take it off you hands... :wink: :biggrin:
 
drag said:
Be careful man, the SS has many alarm systems and there're
few buyers to take it off you hands... :wink: :biggrin:

I wonder what the bluebook value of a slightly used (~100,000,000 km) but totally overhauled, early 80s model shuttle orbiter is. :-p
 
Nenad said:
try google

What a brainwave!. But it was the first thing I did. It only showed me some sites with an online manual, and I would want to have it in paper.

Anyway, thanks for your help.
 
Got a copy of the payload canister system, but hardcopy only.
 
Thanks for your reply, but I think I'm going to keep on searching the complete one.
 
Honest question here...is this sort of information on the space shuttle really so widely available to just anybody ? I mean, sure it's not new technology. But if I can't find out the specs on a fighter jet (I'm assuming and hoping fervently that one can't), why should I be able to for the space shuttle?
 
  • #10
Arianespace post in their web the user's manual for Soyuz/TM and Ariane rockets, with a lot of technical information free to download. This kind of information is available depending on the politeness of the company. Perhaps in Europe we are less rude than NASA' secrets.
 
  • #11
Boeing and Lockheed both have payload planner's guides available online for the Delta 4-Heavy and Atlas-5 respectively. I think NASA may have pulled theirs because the Shuttle's future isn't known yet.

I have looked extensively over the last year and the best I found was the 1988 News Reference Manual online. It's not .pdf, but it does have a good deal of information.
 
Last edited:
  • #12
Thank you, sir.
 
  • #13
cepheid said:
But if I can't find out the specs on a fighter jet (I'm assuming and hoping fervently that one can't), why should I be able to for the space shuttle?

Depends. Some of the older jets like the F-16 you can learn the specs, but it depends on the spec. Max range/speed, stealth, things like that are still classified. But you can, if you have a reason to know (like you are designing a widget to attach to the jet) be givin the specs.
 

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