My "favorite" Space Shuttle abort mode is the Return to Launch Site (RTLS) abort[0] because of the complex energy management procedure necessary to pull it off.
As I understand it the energy management of an RTLS is tenuous because, ultimately, the orbiter is an unpowered glider (with a glide ratio similar to a brick). The limits of stress on the orbiter's airframe are a factor, too.
The orbiter's mass, energy (altitude), and downrange position all have to be in a reasonably tight envelope to make the landing without coming up short or overshooting (there's only so much energy you can bleed off doing S turns).
John Young[1] described an RTLS abort working thru "continuous miracles, interspersed with acts of God".
Somebody made a fun (if you like this kind of stuff) simulation of an RTLS abort[2] in Kerbal Space Program.
EvanAnderson · · focus · HN ↗
As I understand it the energy management of an RTLS is tenuous because, ultimately, the orbiter is an unpowered glider (with a glide ratio similar to a brick). The limits of stress on the orbiter's airframe are a factor, too.
The orbiter's mass, energy (altitude), and downrange position all have to be in a reasonably tight envelope to make the landing without coming up short or overshooting (there's only so much energy you can bleed off doing S turns).
John Young[1] described an RTLS abort working thru "continuous miracles, interspersed with acts of God".
Somebody made a fun (if you like this kind of stuff) simulation of an RTLS abort[2] in Kerbal Space Program.
[0]: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_abort_modes#Return_to_launch_site" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_abort_modes#Retu...
[1]: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Young_(astronaut)" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Young_(astronaut)
[2]: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx94b9nHTHg" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vx94b9nHTHg
ashleyn · · focus · HN ↗
tekla · · focus · HN ↗