ARC-1980-AC80-0107-4

Outfitting the Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia with the three main rocket engines that will boost the 75 ton spacecraft into orbit on its first flight is completed with the installation of Engine #2007 (top). At liftoff, each engine will be producing about 375,000 pounds of thrust, or about 12 million horsepower each, and gulping down its liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants at a rate of about 1,100 pounts per second. The Shuttle's main engines, the most efficient rocket engines ever built, are reusable and designed t operate over a life span of 55 missions.