[grr009]

The thrusters referred to are the thrusters that are used to manuever the shuttle while on orbit. There are several on the the orbiter. I believe there are twenty four on the aft and twelve on the forward portion of the orbiter. I also don't understand why the right side thrusters would fire to counteract drag on the left side of the orbiter..... Any help?

[Cold Heat]

Right rear tail thrusters were used in combination with the left front nose thrusters to turn the axis back to where it was supposed to be. When they failed to correct the axis, the side of the shuttle was exposed to 3000 degree heat and aero forces that it was not meant to handle.

[grr009]

Ooops! Right side thrusters would counter a drag on the left side of the orbiter if it were the right hand outboard thrusters that fired..... These thrusters are positoned on each side of the orbiter to allow for thrust in three directions... Up, OUTBOARD and down... My bet is the outboard thrusters that fired to counter the left hand wing drag.....

[Cold Heat]

BTW, for some further clarification, the rudder of a airplane normally does this task, however, the rudder is not helpfull at over 200,000 feet. That is why the thrusters are used.