Space ExplorationSpace Exploration

What have we discovered?What have we discovered?

Sputnik 1: Earth’s First Sputnik 1: Earth’s First Artificial SatelliteArtificial Satellite Launched in 1957Launched in 1957 Began the “space age”Began the “space age”

Environment of SpaceEnvironment of Space

Why do we need Why do we need to wear space to wear space suits?suits?– PressurePressure– TemperatureTemperature– RadiationRadiation– AtmosphereAtmosphere– CommunicationCommunication

Is space travel safe?Is space travel safe?

Health Risks:Health Risks:– nausea and nausea and

disorientationdisorientation– muscular atrophymuscular atrophy– decreased bone decreased bone

densitydensity– vision vision

impairmentsimpairments– poor blood poor blood

circulationcirculation

Travel Risks:Travel Risks:– explosive explosive

materials used materials used for propellantfor propellant

– heat of heat of atmosphere upon atmosphere upon re-entryre-entry

– relying on relying on computers for computers for EVERYTHINGEVERYTHING

Would you have the guts to do this???Would you have the guts to do this???

Russian Soyuz rocket launches Russian Soyuz rocket launches cosmonauts into space for their cosmonauts into space for their ISS missionISS mission

Why do we useWhy do we use

rockets forrockets for

space travel?space travel?

Can we travelCan we travel

at “warp”at “warp”

speed?speed?

NASA Mission ControlNASA Mission Control

Photo was taken Photo was taken during Apollo 13 during Apollo 13 mission, prior to mission, prior to explosion that explosion that caused them to caused them to abort lunar abort lunar landinglanding

What are the benefits?What are the benefits?

Learn more Learn more about the about the universeuniverse

Learn more Learn more about our homeabout our home

Search for signs Search for signs of lifeof life

Make predictions Make predictions about our futureabout our future

A Different PerspectiveA Different Perspective

Aurora BorealisAurora BorealisA view from the International Space StationA view from the International Space Station

A Different PerspectiveA Different Perspective

You’re in this picture! (taken on Jan 29, 2012)You’re in this picture! (taken on Jan 29, 2012)A view from the International Space StationA view from the International Space Station

Studying the MoonStudying the Moon

Apollo 16 astronaut John Young poses for aApollo 16 astronaut John Young poses for aphotograph during an “extravehicular activity”photograph during an “extravehicular activity”

Apollo 16 “extravehicular activity”Apollo 16 “extravehicular activity”Looking back at OrionLooking back at Orion(Lunar Module)(Lunar Module)

Studying the SunStudying the Sun

Chandra X-ray Observatory observes a solar flare Chandra X-ray Observatory observes a solar flare on the Sun… Why is this telescope in space?on the Sun… Why is this telescope in space?

Studying MarsStudying Mars

Mars Exploration Mars Exploration Rover OpportunityRover Opportunity– Landed in Jan 2004Landed in Jan 2004– Has driven about 35 Has driven about 35

km as of its eighth km as of its eighth anniversary on the anniversary on the planetplanet

– Monitors the surface Monitors the surface and interior of Marsand interior of Mars

Left: sibling to Spirit and OpportunityLeft: sibling to Spirit and OpportunityFront: Sojourner (first Mars rover, landed in 1997)Front: Sojourner (first Mars rover, landed in 1997)Right: Curiosity (landed on Mars in August 2012)Right: Curiosity (landed on Mars in August 2012)

Life on Mars?Life on Mars?

Land formations on Mars’ surface are Land formations on Mars’ surface are consistent with those of dried up river consistent with those of dried up river bedsbeds

No liquid water has been found on No liquid water has been found on Mars yet, but it MAY have existed Mars yet, but it MAY have existed when temperatures were hotterwhen temperatures were hotter

Methane was recently discovered in Methane was recently discovered in Mars’ atmosphere... Curiosity will Mars’ atmosphere... Curiosity will investigate furtherinvestigate further

Studying SaturnStudying Saturn

Cassini spacecraftCassini spacecraft

took these imagestook these images

of the moonsof the moons

Titan (left) andTitan (left) and

Tethys (centre).Tethys (centre).

View is obscuredView is obscured

by Saturn’s rings.by Saturn’s rings.

End of an Era…End of an Era…

Space shuttle Atlantis is retired after having travelled about 200Space shuttle Atlantis is retired after having travelled about 200

million km during its 33 flightsmillion km during its 33 flights

Next-Generation Space Next-Generation Space FlightFlight

Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle called Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle called “Orion”“Orion”

……looks similar to Apollo era spacecraft, looks similar to Apollo era spacecraft, but has dozens of upgradesbut has dozens of upgrades

Peering deep Peering deep into space…into space… Hubble Space Hubble Space

TelescopeTelescopeThe HST takes The HST takes images of far images of far away stars and away stars and galaxiesgalaxies

When we look out When we look out into space, it’s like into space, it’s like looking back in looking back in timetime

We can learn what We can learn what the universe was the universe was like long agolike long ago

When Galaxies When Galaxies Collide…Collide…

Earth-Like Planet:Earth-Like Planet:KOI-172KOI-172KOI-172 is 1.75 times larger than Earth… the smallest KOI-172 is 1.75 times larger than Earth… the smallest

“Earth“Earth

like” planet ever discovered.. It lies in the “habitable like” planet ever discovered.. It lies in the “habitable zone,” thezone,” the

right distance from its star to have liquid water and right distance from its star to have liquid water and daytimedaytime

temperatures of about 22 degrees Celsius. Its year is temperatures of about 22 degrees Celsius. Its year is 150150

Earth-days long.Earth-days long.

Tour of the ISS:Tour of the ISS: Part 1 – Labs, Gym, Space Suits Part 2 – Bedrooms, Bathroom, Kitchen

International Space International Space StationStation

The CanadarmThe CanadarmIts uses:Its uses:

- repair satellites- repair satellites

- put satellites into orbit- put satellites into orbit

- service the space shuttle and - service the space shuttle and ISSISS

How the technology helps us How the technology helps us on Earth:on Earth:

- services nuclear power - services nuclear power stationsstations

- weld and repair pipelines on - weld and repair pipelines on thethe

ocean floorocean floor

- clean up hazardous wastes- clean up hazardous wastes

… … stuff that’s too dangerous stuff that’s too dangerous for humans!for humans!

Moons of our Solar Moons of our Solar SystemSystem Largest: GanymedeLargest: Ganymede

– orbits Jupiterorbits Jupiter– larger than Mercurylarger than Mercury– discovered in 161discovered in 1610 0

(Galileo Galilei)(Galileo Galilei)

Candidate for Life? Candidate for Life? EuropaEuropa– orbits Jupiterorbits Jupiter– oxygen atmosphereoxygen atmosphere– liquid water under liquid water under

iceice

Most Most Atmosphere: Atmosphere: TitanTitan– orbits Saturnorbits Saturn– liquid water liquid water

exists on its exists on its surfacesurface

– discovered in discovered in 1655 1655 (Christiaan (Christiaan Huygens)Huygens)

Astronomy TimelineAstronomy Timeline

http://www.windows2universe.org/the_universe/uts/timeline.html