orbiter![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
The only part of the shuttle to fly in orbit; can transport 13 tons of material and five to seven astronauts.
side hatch ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Door allowing the crew to embark and disembark before the launch and after the return to Earth.
heat shield ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Protects the orbiter nose from heat caused by friction when the vehicle enters the atmosphere; covered with carbon fiber, it can withstand temperatures over 2,900°F.
attitude control thrusters ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Small rocket engines that direct the orbiter to the desired position.
surface insulation ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Protects against heat so that the orbiter does not burn up on re-entry into the atmosphere.
flight deck ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Forward section of the orbiter housing the crew, flight-control equipment and monitor.
cargo bay ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Shuttle compartment that stores various types of cargo, depending on the mission (satellite, probe, laboratory, telescope).
remote manipulator system ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Mechanical arm used to handle and move shuttle cargo.
radiator panel ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Discharges into space the heat produced by the functioning of onboard equipment.
cargo bay door ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Remains open in orbit so as to expose the content of the cargo bay to space.
hatch ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Opening that provides access to the communications tunnel.
spacelab ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Area where scientific experiments on weightlessness are carried out.
wing ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Horizontal surface acted on by aerodynamic forces that keep the orbiter aloft in the atmosphere.
elevon ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Each of the two ailerons controls pitching during landing.
body flap ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Part serving as a thermal shield for the motors during re-entry into the atmosphere.
tank ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Contains fuel for the maneuvering engines and the directional control thrusters.
main engine ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Each of the orbiter’s three tail engines used during takeoff; these only function for the first 8 min. of flight.
maneuvering engine ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Used to place the vehicle in orbit, to provide thrust in case the orbit changes and to take the vehicle out of orbit.
rudder ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Mobile vertical part that allows the orbiter to set its direction when landing.
scientific instruments ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Varying for each mission, they make it possible, for example, to study meteorological conditions, pollution and cosmic radiation.
scientific air lock ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Door making it possible to expose equipment to the space vacuum.
communication tunnel ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Corridor that allows the astronauts to go from the orbiter crew compartment to the laboratory.
observation window ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Window that makes it possible to see outside the orbiter.
tile ![click to hear](/images/speaker.jpg)
Covering 70% of the orbiter, the tiles protect it from heat on re-entry into the atmosphere.