Quote:
Originally Posted by DGthe3
The huge cloud right at launch isn't exhaust, but it is water vapour. Prior to launch, they begin spraying water beneath the shuttle. When the engines ignite, it turns to steam. I remember hearing that they do this to dampen the roar of the engines.
But in the exhaust itself, some of it is water. After all, the main engines burn hydrogen and when you burn hydrogen you get water. Not sure what exactly the main engines burn but I'm sure they produce some water vapour too.
|
I second this. Not to mention that at the exit of the nozzle and some ways past that, there is so much heat and pressure that any moisture in the air is immediately vaporized causing more steam.
The shuttle with it's boosters produces about 37 MILLION horsepower. that's so much HP that if you spread it in a 1 inch thick layer it would cover Germany.