The Future of Space Travel

Section 10.5

Technologies• Since the 1950s we have – sent

people to the moon, probes to planets, built the ISS.

• As technologies improve so will space travel.

Space Shuttle• Will be retired after

2010• NASA is developing

reusable launch vehicles.

• The Ares rockets are scheduled to take people back to the moon and to Mars and other destinations.

The Moon: A Testing Ground• NASA has a goal of sending astronauts to live

and work on Mars.• The moon will be a test site and launching spot

to head to Mars.• NASA has plans to send humans back to the

moon in 2020.• Moon and Mars share properties – cold, covered

in dust-like particles.

Dangers of Exploring the Moon & Mars

• Takes 4 days to get to the Moon, 6-10 months to get to Mars.

• The fine layer of dust that covers the Moon and Mars may be up to 10m deep in places.

• This dust can harm equipment but also irritate eyes, skin and lungs.

Challenges of traveling to the Moon & Mars

• Difficulties obtaining a constant supply of water, oxygen and food.

• Protection from the cold and the Sun’s radiation (ultraviolet and X-Ray)

Space Tourism• In 2009 the cost for space

tourists was $30 million for 7 days!

• Suborbital trips aboard specially built planes will take passengers to 100km above Earth and they will experience short bouts of weightlessness..

• Virgin Galactic charges $200,000 per trip

Space Elevators?• There are scientists competing

to develop the first elevator to space. – Would be tethered to a ship in the

ocean and a counterweight in space

– The climber would be powered by a laser

– The cable would be 36000 km long

– We currently do not have the technology

Today’s Tasks• Read more about the Ares space

crafts on page 434• Pg. 437 #1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10