航天飞机在起飞入轨的上升段使用火箭技术,轨道飞行段运用航天器技术,而再入大气层后的滑翔飞行和水平着陆段,则采用典型的航空技术。在航天飞机的整个飞行过程中,起飞和返回最为关键,也最具风险。相比而言,返回较起飞更为复杂,包括轨道器脱离绕地轨道,再入大气层和着陆进入机场三个飞行阶段,是控制和操纵航天飞机最为复杂的过程。 The space shuttle uses rocket technology on the ascent or descent orbit, the spacecraft orbital segment, and the glide flight and horizontal landing segment after reentry into the atmosphere, using typical aeronautical techniques. During the shuttle’s entire flight, take-off and return are the most critical and most risky. In contrast, returning to more complex take-offs, including the orbital separation from orbit, reentry into the atmosphere and landing into the airport, are the most complex processes for controlling and maneuvering the space shuttle.