# Thrust (DD-360)

> NASA's Space Shuttle, flown from 1981 to 2011, launched on two solid rocket boosters and three main engines. The Reel puts total liftoff thrust at about 7.8 million pounds: about 6.6 million from the boosters and 1.2 million from the main engines. The boosters burned for about two minutes before separating. The footage shows rocket launch imagery.

- Department: Space (also Tech)
- First published: 2024-11-03
- Last updated: 2024-11-03
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/thrust/
- Original Reel title: thrust.
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1981**: First Space Shuttle flight
- **2011**: Final Space Shuttle flight

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=thrust

## Quick facts

- **DD-360-F01**: Two solid rocket boosters. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (Boosters))_
- **DD-360-F02**: Three main engines. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (Main engines))_

## Write-up

At liftoff, the shuttle stack made about 7.8 million pounds of thrust. Two solid rocket boosters did most of the work.

1. **Boosters**: Two solid rocket boosters.
2. **Main engines**: Three main engines.
3. **Total**: About 7.8 million pounds of thrust.
4. **Era**: Flew 1981 to 2011.
5. **Separation**: Boosters separated after about two minutes.

## Related case files

- [It IS Rocket Science (DD-257)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/it-is-rocket-science/): I linked more rockets

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Thrust: At Liftoff, the Shuttle Stack Made About 7.8 Million Pounds of Thrust

- Duration: 26.8 s · Published: 2024-11-03
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/DB621j5J9J4.mp4

### Transcript

Did you know, to launch a space shuttle from the ground into the atmosphere, approximately 7.8 million pounds of thrust is required. This is achieved by a combination of two solid rocket boosters and three main engines. The solid rocket boosters provide the majority of the force, generating about 6.6 million pounds of thrust, while the shuttle's three main engines contribute an additional 1.2 million pounds. Together, these engines allow the shuttle to overcome Earth's gravity, pushing it through the atmosphere and reaching the necessary velocity for orbit. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: How many solid boosters?**  
A: Pair. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Boosters) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster)_

**Q: How many main engines?**  
A: On the orbiter. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Main engines) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle)_

**Q: Total liftoff thrust?**  
A: Per the Reel. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Total) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle)_

**Q: Which gave most thrust?**  
A: Solid fuel. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Era) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle)_

**Q: When did the shuttle retire?**  
A: Final flight. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Separation) · Wikipedia: Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: Space Shuttle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle)
- [Wikipedia: Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Solid_Rocket_Booster)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Thrust." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-360, last updated Nov 3, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/thrust/