Gravity and space exploration

The International Space Station is a huge science laboratory that orbits Earth every 92 minutes. Experiments on board the International Space Station can help scientists learn-

• what substances are found in moon dust.

• when the first green plants appeared on Earth.

• how to solve problems of living in space.

This diagram provides some important dates in the history of space exploration as it relates to the Moon. After scientists had a clear picture of the surface of the Moon, they landed an unmanned craft before risking human life. The Soviets landed the first unmanned craft on the Moon, named Luna 9. Which of the following is the most reasonable time period for this mission to have taken place?

• Between 1959 and 1965

• Sometime after 1969

• Between 1965 and 1969

What is an important requirement for a manned spacecraft traveling through space?

• A supply of oxygen for the astronauts

• The ability to create its own gravity

• Bright lights to see where it’s going

A tether is a rope-like device that attaches an astronaut to a space vehicle during the time spent outside on a spacewalk. Why is a tether necessary for a spacewalk?

• Strong solar winds would blow the astronaut away from the vehicle otherwise

• Astronauts must remain close to the vehicle to obtain the heat it provides

• Tethers add just enough weight to the astronaut to keep them in orbit

• Without a tether, astronauts would float away due to the lack of gravity in space

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Which of the following is the first challenge that had to be overcome by rockets in order for humans to explore space? First, rockets needed –

• a place in which the astronauts could sit.

• a way to return to Earth’s surface.

• enough thrust to overcome Earth’s gravity.

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With our current technology, travel to the closest star in another solar system is not possible for a human crew due to what limitation?

• Relatively short human life spans and slow travel speeds

• Absence of light and energy in the far reaches of space

What is the most important function of a space suit like the ones astronauts wear when walking in space?

• To give the astronaut freedom of movement in space

• To provide oxygen and protection from radiation

• To make it easy to get in and out of the International Space Station

Many telescopes have been launched into orbit around Earth or sent out into deep space. What is an advantage of using these telescopes rather than an Earth-bound telescope to gather images?

• Telescopes launched into space are usually smaller than ones found on Earth

• The images are usually clearer because they do not have to look through our atmosphere

The orbital paths of objects in our solar system are the result of which of the following?

• The shape of the bodies and their chemical compositions

• The balance between the motion of the bodies and gravitational forces

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The gravitational attraction between two objects is reduced most when –

• the masses are increased, and the distance between them is increased

• the masses are decreased, and the distance between them is increased.

• the masses are decreased, and the distance between them is decreased.

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