The space shuttle external fuel tank was a component and piece of hardware of the space shuttle launch vehicle. In this section, previously obtained liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen oxidants were stored. During take-off and ascent from the platform to which the spacecraft is attached, this external fuel tank would ensure that the fuel and oxidation necessary for the three space shuttle main component engines on the orbiter would form under a certain pressure. The space shuttle external fuel tank separated from the shuttle just 10 seconds after the main engines of the shuttle were disabled and began to fall, and then they re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. Solid rocket propellants could be used many times, but unlike them, external fuel tanks could not be used repeatedly. The external tank was planned to fall into the Indian Ocean (or the Pacific Ocean). After falling into the ocean, it could not be recovered because it could not be reused (such work was not carried out) and because it fell outside the transfer area. (Atmospheric events, mechanical and electrical events can be given as an example as the reason for falling outside the area where it is expected to fall.) The external fuel tank was the largest component of the space shuttle in both the physical sense and the heaviest sense when loaded. The fuel tank in question consists of three main components. These are:
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The Forward Liquid oxyygen Tank
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An Unpressurized Internal Tank Containing Most Electrical Components
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The aft Liquid Hydrogen Tank (This section makes up the largest part. However, due to the low density of hydrogen, it is quite light.)
The external tank is in the backbone or spine structure during the launch of the shuttle. (Just like the backbone of a computer network.) The external tank provides Deconstructive support to ensure that the space shuttle's core function-performing components stay together. The external tank is connected to the shuttle through a rear beam point.
Source:
https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzay_meki%C4%9Fi_harici_yak%C4%B1t_tank%C4%B1
