ScienceScienceFriday, April 21, 2023Friday, April 21, 2023
Technological Developments Technological Developments and the Exploration of Spaceand the Exploration of Space
2.1 – Getting There: Technologies 2.1 – Getting There: Technologies for Space Transportfor Space Transport
To escape the pull of Earth’s gravity To escape the pull of Earth’s gravity an object must travel at a speed an object must travel at a speed greater than 28,000 km/h (18,000 greater than 28,000 km/h (18,000 mph)mph)
Therefore, to launch spacecraft and Therefore, to launch spacecraft and satellites into space, we need satellites into space, we need powerful rocketspowerful rockets
Early RocketsEarly Rockets
Robert H. Goddard was Robert H. Goddard was the first person to the first person to successfully launch a successfully launch a liquid-fuel rocket in 1926liquid-fuel rocket in 1926
This rocket would serve This rocket would serve as a prototype for all as a prototype for all other major rocket other major rocket designsdesigns
The German V-2The German V-2
In 1942, Werner von Braun In 1942, Werner von Braun and his team of researchers and his team of researchers designed the V-2 liquid fuel designed the V-2 liquid fuel rocket, which was the first rocket, which was the first rocket to ever leave the rocket to ever leave the atmosphereatmosphere
After World War II, von Braun After World War II, von Braun worked for the United States worked for the United States in its space programin its space program
SputnikSputnik
On October 4, 1957, On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union the Soviet Union launched the first launched the first manmade satellite, manmade satellite, SputnikSputnik
One month later, the One month later, the Soviets launched a dog Soviets launched a dog named named LaikaLaika into orbit into orbit
Vostok and MercuryVostok and Mercury
Yuri Gagarin became the first person Yuri Gagarin became the first person in space in 1961 aboard in space in 1961 aboard Vostok 1Vostok 1
Alan Shepard was the first American Alan Shepard was the first American to enter space later that yearto enter space later that year
GeminiGemini
The American Gemini program The American Gemini program involved more advanced work, such involved more advanced work, such as spacewalks and docking with as spacewalks and docking with other craft during flightother craft during flight
ApolloApollo
The purpose of the Apollo program The purpose of the Apollo program was to land a person on the surface was to land a person on the surface of the Moonof the Moon
This was accomplished on July 20, This was accomplished on July 20, 19691969
SkylabSkylab Skylab was the first space Skylab was the first space
station to orbit the Earthstation to orbit the Earth In 1973 and 1974, three In 1973 and 1974, three
missions visited the space missions visited the space station station
It crashed into the sea It crashed into the sea near Australia in 1979 near Australia in 1979
The Australians fined the The Australians fined the US $400 for littering (the US $400 for littering (the fine has not yet been fine has not yet been paid)paid)
The Space ShuttleThe Space Shuttle
In 1981, the first Space Shuttle was In 1981, the first Space Shuttle was launchedlaunched
This new vehicle was reusable – This new vehicle was reusable – previous rockets used single-use previous rockets used single-use capsulescapsules
Rocket EnginesRocket Engines
A rocket engine relies on Newton’s A rocket engine relies on Newton’s 33rdrd Law of Motion – For every force Law of Motion – For every force there is an equal and opposite forcethere is an equal and opposite force
In a rocket engine, the force of In a rocket engine, the force of expanding gases from combustion expanding gases from combustion pushes down through the engine pushes down through the engine nozzle, and the rocket moves in the nozzle, and the rocket moves in the opposite directionopposite direction
Rockets consist of 3 parts:Rockets consist of 3 parts:
1.1. Structural and mechanical Structural and mechanical elements, such as the engines, elements, such as the engines, storage tanks, and finsstorage tanks, and fins
2.2. The fuel, which may vary in form The fuel, which may vary in form and compositionand composition
3.3. The payload, which may include The payload, which may include people, food, water, air, or people, food, water, air, or machinerymachinery
Current and Future Propulsion Current and Future Propulsion SystemsSystems
Current rockets use Current rockets use liquid fuels, such as liquid fuels, such as hydrogen and hydrogen and oxygenoxygen
Future spacecraft Future spacecraft may use ion may use ion propulsion, where propulsion, where electrically charged electrically charged xenon is accelerated xenon is accelerated by an electric fieldby an electric field
The ion drive produces very The ion drive produces very little force, but that force is little force, but that force is sustained over a long period, sustained over a long period, producing great speedproducing great speed
These types of drives could be These types of drives could be used to move vehicles in used to move vehicles in space, not to launch them from space, not to launch them from the Earththe Earth
Solar sails may also be usedSolar sails may also be used These consist of a large, thin These consist of a large, thin
reflective surface that uses the reflective surface that uses the momentum of photons from momentum of photons from the Sun like a windthe Sun like a wind
This would cause the ship to This would cause the ship to movemove
2.2 – Surviving There: 2.2 – Surviving There: Technologies for Living in SpaceTechnologies for Living in Space
Space is a hazardous place to liveSpace is a hazardous place to live Planned missions to Mars would Planned missions to Mars would
require living in a hostile require living in a hostile environment for two or three yearsenvironment for two or three years
Environmental HazardsEnvironmental Hazards
Space is a vacuum, with no air or waterSpace is a vacuum, with no air or water As well, deadly radiation and the risk of As well, deadly radiation and the risk of
meteoroids are constantly presentmeteoroids are constantly present Temperatures in space can rage from Temperatures in space can rage from
extreme heat to freezing coldextreme heat to freezing cold In the vacuum of space, our heart would In the vacuum of space, our heart would
not beat and the low pressure would cause not beat and the low pressure would cause your blood to boil instantlyyour blood to boil instantly
Psychological ChallengesPsychological Challenges
On a long mission, crew members On a long mission, crew members would have to live in very close would have to live in very close quarters (less than the size of this quarters (less than the size of this room) for months or yearsroom) for months or years
This can lead to psychological This can lead to psychological problemsproblems
The Body and MicrogravityThe Body and Microgravity
The human body is not designed for The human body is not designed for a microgravity environmenta microgravity environment
In weightless conditions, bone In weightless conditions, bone density is lost and muscles tend to density is lost and muscles tend to weaken because of the lack of forceweaken because of the lack of force
The effect of weightlessness is being The effect of weightlessness is being studied aboard the ISSstudied aboard the ISS
Space SuitsSpace Suits
Space suits are Space suits are specially designed specially designed to keep astronauts to keep astronauts alive in the alive in the vacuum of spacevacuum of space
They provide air, They provide air, water, heating and water, heating and cooling and even a cooling and even a portable toiletportable toilet
Living in SpaceLiving in Space
Because it is inefficient to constantly Because it is inefficient to constantly provide new materials to a space provide new materials to a space station, many things are recycledstation, many things are recycled
The ISS uses devices that can recycle The ISS uses devices that can recycle 100% of the water in the station100% of the water in the station
The Environmental Control and Life The Environmental Control and Life Support Systems aboard the ISS Support Systems aboard the ISS have a number of functions:have a number of functions:
1.1. Recycling of water to produce Recycling of water to produce drinking waterdrinking water
2.2. Using recycled water to produce Using recycled water to produce oxygen (through electrolysis)oxygen (through electrolysis)
3.3. Removing CORemoving CO22 from the air from the air
4.4. Filtering micro-organisms and dust Filtering micro-organisms and dust from the airfrom the air
5.5. Keeping air pressure, temperature Keeping air pressure, temperature and humidity stableand humidity stable
ISS Recycling ISS Recycling
Using Space Technology to Meet Using Space Technology to Meet Human Needs on EarthHuman Needs on Earth
We can use space technologies here We can use space technologies here on Earthon Earth
One of the main ways that we use One of the main ways that we use this technology is through Satellitesthis technology is through Satellites
Communication SatellitesCommunication Satellites
In the early 20In the early 20thth century, telegraph century, telegraph and telephone messages traveled and telephone messages traveled through wiresthrough wires
Today we use digital signals from Today we use digital signals from satellites that allow clearer satellites that allow clearer transmissions and a larger number of transmissions and a larger number of usersusers
Observation and Research Observation and Research SatellitesSatellites
Geosynchronous satellites Geosynchronous satellites (those that maintain a (those that maintain a constant position) are used constant position) are used to monitor weatherto monitor weather
Other satellites, such as Other satellites, such as LANDSAT and RADARSAT LANDSAT and RADARSAT can track ships at sea, can track ships at sea, forest fires, environmental forest fires, environmental damage, and natural damage, and natural resourcesresources
Remote SensingRemote Sensing
The main purpose of satellites in low The main purpose of satellites in low Earth orbit (200 to 1000 km altitude) Earth orbit (200 to 1000 km altitude) is to make observations about the is to make observations about the EarthEarth
This provides information about the This provides information about the condition of the environment, natural condition of the environment, natural resources, and the effects of resources, and the effects of urbanizationurbanization
The Global Positioning SystemThe Global Positioning System
There are 24 GPS satellites that orbit There are 24 GPS satellites that orbit the Earththe Earth
At any one point, there are at least At any one point, there are at least three of these satellites that are three of these satellites that are above a given location at any above a given location at any momentmoment
They produce radio signals that are They produce radio signals that are picked up by receiverspicked up by receivers
These radio signals contain time These radio signals contain time informationinformation
The time information from each The time information from each satellite is compared with the satellite is compared with the internal clock on the receiver, and internal clock on the receiver, and the time difference between the the time difference between the signals indicates the distance from signals indicates the distance from the satellitethe satellite
When three signals overlap, they will When three signals overlap, they will provide the user with their positionprovide the user with their position
The GPS was The GPS was originally developed originally developed for the US militaryfor the US military
In 2000, non-In 2000, non-military users could military users could finally receive a full-finally receive a full-quality signal (prior quality signal (prior to this, civilians to this, civilians could only receive a could only receive a less accurate signal)less accurate signal)
Space Age Materials and SystemsSpace Age Materials and Systems
Many different materials and Many different materials and systems originally designed for space systems originally designed for space have been put to use on Earthhave been put to use on Earth
Almost all sectors of business have Almost all sectors of business have been advanced through the use of been advanced through the use of these materials and technologies:these materials and technologies:
Computer TechnologyComputer Technology
Computers have been used to Computers have been used to analyze the structure of spacecraft, analyze the structure of spacecraft, the monitoring of onboard systems, the monitoring of onboard systems, and the training of astronautsand the training of astronauts
On Earth we use the same On Earth we use the same technologies in offices, to analyze technologies in offices, to analyze buildings and bridges, and to develop buildings and bridges, and to develop virtual reality softwarevirtual reality software
Consumer TechnologyConsumer Technology Astronauts use Astronauts use
specialized foods in specialized foods in space, and much work space, and much work has been put into the has been put into the studies of insulation and studies of insulation and aerodynamicsaerodynamics
We now can buy many We now can buy many enriched freeze-dried enriched freeze-dried foodsfoods
New, more efficient New, more efficient designs of bike helmets, designs of bike helmets, golf balls, running shoes golf balls, running shoes and ski goggles are the and ski goggles are the results of the work done results of the work done to improve spaceflightto improve spaceflight
Medical and Health TechnologyMedical and Health Technology
Motion sickness is a Motion sickness is a problem in space, so problem in space, so medications were medications were developed to counteract itdeveloped to counteract it
As well, digital imaging that As well, digital imaging that was developed for was developed for satellites is now used in satellites is now used in medicine to detect cancersmedicine to detect cancers
Industrial TechnologyIndustrial Technology
Lasers are used for communication in Lasers are used for communication in space, and they are now used for space, and they are now used for communication and manufacturing communication and manufacturing here on Earth as wellhere on Earth as well
Transportation TechnologyTransportation Technology
Special materials that were used in Special materials that were used in parachutes and spacecraft are now parachutes and spacecraft are now used in automobile designs, even used in automobile designs, even down to the tires!down to the tires!
Public Safety TechnologyPublic Safety Technology
A large amount of our exploration in A large amount of our exploration in space is done by robots because it is space is done by robots because it is too dangerous for humanstoo dangerous for humans
Robots with similar designs are now Robots with similar designs are now used for similar tasks on Earth (such used for similar tasks on Earth (such as the disposal of explosives)as the disposal of explosives)
The EndThe End