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From: lynn.es@XEROX.ARPA
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: Why are SSMEs on SS?
Message-ID: <166@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 25-Apr-84 19:11:55 EDT
Article-I.D.: sri-arpa.166
Posted: Wed Apr 25 19:11:55 1984
Date-Received: Mon, 14-May-84 01:08:17 EDT
Lines: 9

"if the Shuttle Main Engines are used only with the external tank, why
aren't they //mounted\\ on the tank?"

The shuttle main engines are mounted on the Shuttle rather than the
External Tank so they can be brought back for reuse.  The tank is
relatively cheap and expendable.  Tossed at nearly orbital speed, it is
destroyed on reentry, and so would the engines be if they were mounted
on the tank.
/Don Lynn