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around the circumference at the forward end of the adaptor module (close to the spacecraft's center of mass). Two forward-pointing 85-pound-force (380 N) thrusters at the same location, provided aft translation, and two 100-pound-force (440 N) thrusters located in the aft end of the adapter module provided forward thrust, which could be used to change the craft's orbit. The Gemini reentry module also had a separate
Reentry Control System of sixteen thrusters located at the base of its nose, to provide rotational control during reentry.
425:, both intended to travel to an altitude that rendered their aerodynamic control surfaces unusable, established a convention for locations for thrusters on winged vehicles not intended to dock in space; that is, those that only have attitude control thrusters. Those for pitch and yaw are located in the nose, forward of the cockpit, and replace a standard radar system. Those for roll are located at the wingtips. The
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A pair of translation thrusters are located at the rear of the Soyuz spacecraft; the counter-acting thrusters are similarly paired in the middle of the spacecraft (near the center of mass) pointing outwards and forward. These act in pairs to prevent the spacecraft from rotating. The thrusters for the
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as well as rotation capability. In-orbit attitude control was achieved by firing pairs of eight 25-pound-force (110 N) thrusters located around the circumference of its adapter module at the extreme aft end. Lateral translation control was provided by four 100-pound-force (440 N) thrusters
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had many more thrusters, which were required to control vehicle attitude in both orbital flight and during the early part of atmospheric entry, as well as carry out rendezvous and docking maneuvers in orbit. Shuttle thrusters were grouped in the nose of the vehicle and on each of the two aft
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pods. No nozzles interrupted the heat shield on the underside of the craft; instead, the nose RCS nozzles which control positive pitch were mounted on the side of the vehicle, and were canted downward. The downward-facing negative pitch thrusters were located in the
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hypergolic thrusters, grouped into external clusters of four, to provide both translation and attitude control. The clusters were located near the craft's average centers of mass, and were fired in pairs in opposite directions for attitude control.
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Because spacecraft only contain a finite amount of fuel and there is little chance to refill them, alternative reaction control systems have been developed so that fuel can be conserved. For stationkeeping, some spacecraft (particularly those in
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to rotate the capsule. The Gemini capsule was also capable of adjusting its reentry course by rolling, which directed its off-center lifting force. The
Mercury thrusters used a
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had a set of twelve hypergolic thrusters for attitude control, and directional reentry control similar to Gemini.
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can be used for attitude control. Use of diverted engine thrust to provide stable attitude control of a
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lateral directions are mounted close to the center of mass of the spacecraft, in pairs as well.
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for primary attitude control, with RCS thruster systems as backup and augmentation systems.
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in any desired direction or combination of directions. An RCS is also capable of providing
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517:"Reaction Control System Performance Characterization using Vacuum Chamber Thrust Stand"
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Spacecraft thrusters used to provide attitude control and translation
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Reaction control systems often use combinations of large and small (
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Reaction control systems are capable of providing small amounts of
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monopropellant which turned to steam when forced through a
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The Gemini spacecraft was also equipped with a hypergolic
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below conventional winged flight speeds, such as with the
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Two of four
Reaction Control System thruster quads on the
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reentry module both used groupings of nozzles to provide
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which spin to control rotational rates on the vehicle.
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Colas, Armand L.; Valenzuela, Juan G. (2020-08-17),
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209:Spacecraft reaction control systems are used for:
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257:to prime the fuel system for a main engine burn.
421:and a companion training aero-spacecraft, the
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567:"Project Gemini - A Chronology. Part 1 (B)"
120:Learn how and when to remove this message
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325:. The thrusters were located off their
480:""What is RCS?" by NASA in a PDF file"
341:screen, and the Gemini thrusters used
244:, or "pointing the nose" of the craft;
522:AIAA Propulsion and Energy 2020 Forum
357:Orbit Attitude and Maneuvering System
304:Orbit Attitude and Maneuvering System
216:during different stages of a mission;
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446:pods mounted in the tail/afterbody.
395:Location of thrusters on spaceplanes
58:adding citations to reliable sources
450:International Space Station systems
294:Location of thrusters on spacecraft
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460:control moment gyroscopes (CMG)
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