What do space shuttles stand on?

Question

On the launchpad, what do they stand on, that holds them upright, and they don't fall?

Answer 1

On the rim of the solid rocket boosters. Those are already meant to stand the thrust of the whole vehicle, which is higher than the weight thereof.

As the picture (see link) shows, there is however ancillary support fixtures holding the orbiter so that the whole thing would not topple.

Answer 2

Nothing, the shuttle is attached to the external tank which is attached to the SRB's which are fastened to the launchpad.

Vincent those are covers for the electrical disconnect panels

Answer 3

Due to their massive weight usually in tonnage and the wideness of the aircraft, the structure does not need a stand. However, the launchpad is equipped with gigantic motors used to swivel or re- position the spacecraft for its proper entry into space. It has base locks that opens when the right ignition had been attained. The guides that you see are used as support for the tubes that carries the liquid hydrogen and oxygen into the booster rockets and main tanks.

Answer 4

a launch pad

Answer 5

no because they are attached to the launchpad. seconds before lift-off, u will notice the arms falling away.

Shuttles land on a normal runway, for the USAF - it is usually a military runway at Cape Canavaral

Answer 6

The entire package including the Shuttle, main engine fuel tank and solid rocket boosters are held in place by 8 very large nut, bolt and washer sets.  There are 4 on each SRB that attach the SRB to the launch platform. The bolts are broken by an explosive charge when the main engines and the SRB's are fired.  Each of the nut and washer pairs weighs 146 lbs.

Answer 7

Skyhawk is correct.  Also, someone said the launch platform moves the Shuttle around for correct launch orbit or something like that...couldn't be further from the truth.

Both the Shuttle's main engines and the Solid Rocket Boosters, both have thrust vectoring.  That combined with aerosurfaces in the lower  atmosphere target the Shuttle to the correct target in space.