What happens to the Space Shuttle's external tank after it disconnects? Is it just floating around as space trash, or is it being sent back to earth, or does it fall into
The 66,000-pound fuel tank of a space shuttle, the last of its kind, is on its way to L.A. - Los Angeles Times
![LEGO MOC External Tank and Boosters for ISS Space Shuttle Orbiter by Shedao | Rebrickable - Build with LEGO LEGO MOC External Tank and Boosters for ISS Space Shuttle Orbiter by Shedao | Rebrickable - Build with LEGO](https://cdn.rebrickable.com/media/thumbs/mocs/moc-55108.jpg/1000x800.jpg)
LEGO MOC External Tank and Boosters for ISS Space Shuttle Orbiter by Shedao | Rebrickable - Build with LEGO
![reuse - Were Space Shuttle External Tanks recoverable and reusable? - Space Exploration Stack Exchange reuse - Were Space Shuttle External Tanks recoverable and reusable? - Space Exploration Stack Exchange](https://i.stack.imgur.com/SAM29.jpg)
reuse - Were Space Shuttle External Tanks recoverable and reusable? - Space Exploration Stack Exchange
![Root cause of shuttle external tank cracks still not clear | STS-133, Space News, Space Shuttle, International Space Station Root cause of shuttle external tank cracks still not clear | STS-133, Space News, Space Shuttle, International Space Station](http://www.cbsnews.com/network/news/space/133/graphics/prelaunch/112310_crack_location.jpg)
Root cause of shuttle external tank cracks still not clear | STS-133, Space News, Space Shuttle, International Space Station
![ToughSF on X: "The Space Shuttle could have carried its External Tank up into orbit. Its residual propellant can then be scavenged, as depicted by @brickmack #space #art https://t.co/vXpW7SCCou https://t.co/mY6ZtEzj8f" / X ToughSF on X: "The Space Shuttle could have carried its External Tank up into orbit. Its residual propellant can then be scavenged, as depicted by @brickmack #space #art https://t.co/vXpW7SCCou https://t.co/mY6ZtEzj8f" / X](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ees0gAGXkAMX0xY.png:large)
ToughSF on X: "The Space Shuttle could have carried its External Tank up into orbit. Its residual propellant can then be scavenged, as depicted by @brickmack #space #art https://t.co/vXpW7SCCou https://t.co/mY6ZtEzj8f" / X
![LEGO MOC Space Shuttle Discovery 10283 Upgrade Tank and Booster Scale 1/70 by NG_Design | Rebrickable - Build with LEGO LEGO MOC Space Shuttle Discovery 10283 Upgrade Tank and Booster Scale 1/70 by NG_Design | Rebrickable - Build with LEGO](https://cdn.rebrickable.com/media/thumbs/mocs/moc-73206.jpg/1000x800.jpg)
LEGO MOC Space Shuttle Discovery 10283 Upgrade Tank and Booster Scale 1/70 by NG_Design | Rebrickable - Build with LEGO
![PPG Donates Paint for Final Space Shuttle External Tank Journey | 2016-05-05 | Adhesives Magazine | Adhesives & Sealants Industry PPG Donates Paint for Final Space Shuttle External Tank Journey | 2016-05-05 | Adhesives Magazine | Adhesives & Sealants Industry](https://www.adhesivesmag.com/ext/resources/ASI/2016/PPG-space-shuttle.jpg?1462211486)
PPG Donates Paint for Final Space Shuttle External Tank Journey | 2016-05-05 | Adhesives Magazine | Adhesives & Sealants Industry
![Space Shuttle Fuel Tank and Rocket Set (Realistic Version) - NASA - Realistic Crafts/Space - Paper Craft - Canon Creative Park Space Shuttle Fuel Tank and Rocket Set (Realistic Version) - NASA - Realistic Crafts/Space - Paper Craft - Canon Creative Park](https://creativepark.canon/images/contents/CNT-0024521/CNT-0024521_detail-01_s@2x.jpg)