1.8 Space Exploration

1.8 Space Exploration

6.E.1.3 Summarize space exploration and the understandings gained from them.

3 Phases of Exploration:

• Past (1950s - now: Space Race)

• Present (now! NASA + SpaceX)

• Future (manned flights to Mars?)

The Past

Before the 20th century, we relied on telescopes to help us "explore" space from the ground.

These telescopes belonged to Galileo!

Advancing

When the 1950s came, technological advances skyrocketing because of one thing:

The Space Race.

FYI, this is Russia. In red, how fitting.

A Little Background

• Keep in mind... it's the 1950s.

• The first manned flight was 1903.

• By 1914, planes are first used for recon missions, then move to dogfighting.

• WWII (1939 - 1945) sees planes used in multiple ways: bombers, transport, and fighters.

• We go from being grounded to space in just 54 years.

Open Ended

What do you think we will do with technology and space travel in the next 50 years?

Let's Talk Spacecrafts: Satellites

• Satellites are man-made objects that orbit celestial bodies.

• They are used for: gathering data (maps and weather), communication (cell phones and television).

• Satellites have improved our ability to explore space, forecast the weather, and monitor changes to Earth’s surface.

October 4, 1957: Sputnik

• The Soviet Union announces they've launched a satellite into Earth's orbit.

• Sputnik broadcasted a beeping radio signal and completed a revolution around Earth every 90 minutes.

A replica of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite in the world to be put into outer space:

the replica is stored in the National Air and Space Museum.

Multiple Choice

Satellites are only used for communication and data.

• true

• false

Space Probes

• A space probe is an unmanned space craft that leaves Earth’s orbit and explores space. They're as big as cars.

• This one is Pioneer 1, launched by a Thor-Able rocket on 11 October 1958.

• Voyager 1 and Voyager 2: Launched in August/Sept 1977 and STILL GOING.

Rovers

• Rovers are vehicles designed to explore the surface of a celestial body. 

• Rovers have been used on the Moon and on Mars: Curiosity, Spirit, and Opportunity. 

• Perseverance rover will be landing on February 18, 2021!!!

Rockets

• Early rockets launched a small capsule holding astronauts into orbit, and then pieces would separate and burn upon reentry.

• Rockets now are INCREDIBLE!

• SpaceX Falcon 9 is a reusable two-stage rocket

• Space X Falcon Heavy is the world's most rocket, and it's reusable too!

Space Shuttles

• On April 12, 1981, the Space Shuttle Columbia became the first shuttle to orbit the Earth.

• Space shuttles were reusable spacecraft that transported astronauts, satellites, and other materials to and from space from 1981 to 2011.

• This is Discover in 2011 >>>

• 
  

Space Travel Now

From 2011 until 2020, the US had to rely on Russian Soyuz spacecraft to get to the International Space Station.

In 2020, SpaceX became the first American craft to carry astronauts into space.

So what is NASA anyway?

• In 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was founded.

• NASA’s space program decides what equipment, accommodations, and transportation are needed for space exploration.

• NASA's Vision: To discover and expand knowledge for the benefit of humanity.

The International Space Station

• The International Space Station (ISS) is a research facility currently being assembled in orbit around the Earth.

• It shared by space programs from 16 countries.

• Experiments: cell and tissue growth in microgravity, teaching Science and Engineering, studying the effects of space on the human body, agriculture and plant growth in space, etc.

Multiple Choice

Which government agency is charged with managing America’s space exploration and research?

• A. The Smithsonian Institute

• B. The National Institutes of Science

• C. The Department of Transportation

• D. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Multiple Choice

A scientist wants to study the effect of weightlessness on plant growth. Which would be the best place to conduct such experiments?

• A. the Mars Exploration Rover

• B. the Hubble Space Telescope

• C. the Space Shuttle Discovery

• D. the International Space Station