Door allowing the crew to embark and disembark before the launch and after the return to Earth.
heat shield
Protects the orbiter nose from heat caused by friction when the vehicle enters the atmosphere; covered with carbon fiber, it can withstand temperatures over 1,600°C.
attitude control thrusters
Small rocket engines that direct the orbiter to the desired position.
surface insulation
Protects against heat so that the orbiter does not burn up on re-entry into the atmosphere.
flight deck
Forward section of the orbiter housing the crew, flight-control equipment and monitor.
cargo bay
Shuttle compartment that stores various types of cargo, depending on the mission (satellite, probe, laboratory, telescope).
remote manipulator system
Mechanical arm used to handle and move shuttle cargo.
radiator panel
Discharges into space the heat produced by the functioning of onboard equipment.
cargo bay door
Remains open in orbit so as to expose the content of the cargo bay to space.
hatch
Opening that provides access to the communications tunnel.
spacelab
Area where scientific experiments on weightlessness are carried out.
wing
Horizontal surface acted on by aerodynamic forces that keep the orbiter aloft in the atmosphere.
