Overview
The orbiter/external tank
separation system consists of the oxygen and hydrogen umbilical
disconnects located at the lower left and right aft fuselage, one
forward structural attach point just aft of the nose landing gear
doors and two structural attach points located in the orbiter/external
tank umbilical disconnect cavities. An umbilical retraction system
retracts the orbiter umbilicals within the orbiter aft fuselage,
and umbilical doors close over each of the umbilical cavities after
separation.
The 17-inch liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen disconnects provide
the propellant feed interface from the external tank to the orbiter
main propulsion system and the three space shuttle main engines.
The respective 17-inch disconnects also provide the capability
for external tank fill and drain of oxygen and hydrogen through
the orbiter main propulsion system and the T-0 umbilicals. The
liquid hydrogen interface between the orbiter and the ground storage
tank is provided by a T-0 umbilical located on the left side of
the aft fuselage. The liquid oxygen interface between the orbiter
and the ground storage tank is provided by a T-0 umbilical on
the right side of the aft fuselage.
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