Learning aim C: Investigate essential factors involved in space travel.

Learning aim D: Understand the fundamental concepts outlined in

astrophysics and cosmology.

International Space Station

PAGES 4 – 15 MUST BE WRITTEN AS A

REPORT

The International Space Station is made from the following materials:

Materials Properties Use

Aluminium Low density metal which is

sturdy.

Reflects the Sun’s heat and insulates the

spacecraft.

Used as window shutters.

Titanium Light-weight yet strong. Protection for spacecraft.

Kevlar “Bullet-proof vest.”

Impact resistant.

Protects spacecraft from even dust sized

particles it may encounter as it zips through

space.

Glass Between 8 and 38 times thicker

than a standard window on

Earth.

Spacecraft windows - glass is subject to strict

quality control because even a micro-meteoroid

could cause a fracture.

What fuels do spacecraft use?

Liquid hydrogen

Liquid oxygen

Liquid hydrogen as a fuel

Advantages Disadvantages

Extremely light – why is this good?Extremely powerful when it burns.

It is cryogenic so can only be liquefied at very low temperatures – what must this mean about the insulation of a rocket?

Escape velocity

The escape velocity is the minimum speed needed for an object to escape from the gravitational influence of a massive body – i.e. the Earth.

𝑣𝑒𝑠𝑐 =2𝐺𝑀

𝑅

Escape velocity calculation

𝑣𝑒𝑠𝑐 =2𝐺𝑀

𝑅=

2(6.7 × 10−11)(6 × 1024)

(6.4 × 106)= 11.2 𝑘𝑚/𝑠

Vesc = escape velocity

G = gravitational constant

M = mass of the Earth

R = radius of the Earth

Escape velocity and mass

The larger the mass of a body, the larger the escape

velocity will be.

Hazards – typical journey of a spacecraft

Take off

Overcoming the escape velocity

Battling the Sun’s radiation and meteors

Landing

Cost of spaceflight

What are the costs associated with spaceflight?

Launching the shuttle.

Maintaining the shuttle.

YOU MUST TALK ABOUT THE COSTS OF THE ISS AND WHAT VIRGIN GALACTIC ARE OFFERING.

Communication

Astronauts communicate both verbally and visually via antennae.

Satellites must be in a line of

sight in order to communicate.

THIS NEXT SECTION REQUIRES A WELL WORDED REPORT

You need to discuss the materials which have been discovered/developed because of space flight:

• Slow spring back foam

• Arteriovision

• Digital hearing aids

• Abrasion-resistant lens coatings

• Life shears

LOOK IN THE BOOKLET FOR

MORE INFORMATION.

Physical aspects of achieving and sustaining space flight.

The amount of energy required to launch the spacecraft into orbit depends on the location of the launch site and the inclination of the orbit.

Physical aspects of achieving and sustaining space flight.

When in orbit, it is affected by the gravitational pull from the Sun, Moon and Jupiter so its orbit must be adjusted a few times.

Physical aspects of achieving and sustaining space flight.

The ISS is in a low Earth orbit so it is affected by the drag from Earth’s atmosphere.

Because of this, the orbit has to be boosted.

Dangers of space flight

You need to briefly discuss the following real-life accidents.

1. Salyut 1

2. Apollo 1

3. Challenge space shuttle

4. Columbia space shuttle

History of space flight

You need to write about a selection of space missions – both manned and unmanned. You MUST include:

• The name of the shuttle/ telescope

• The year it was launched

• The country or organisation who proposed it

• Brief details about its job/mission

• Whether it is manned or unmanned

Planned missions – distinction criteria

MUST be presented as a journalistic appraisal

(article).

You must include all the information given in the table on page 10.

You need to use the information you found from page 10 to answer

the questions on page 11. I have given you hints for each of these sections.

THE NEXT 3 SLIDES (AND SECTIONS 8.1, 8.2, AND 8.3) MUST BE

PRESENTED AS A POSTER/BOOKLET WITH RELEVANT PARTS OF THE

HUMAN BODY LABELLED.

Effects of short-term space flight on the human body

Astronauts experience time-invariant effects. Factors which affect the human body over a short period of time are:

• Changes in gravity fields• Being isolated/confined• Being in a hostile environment• Radiation from the Sun which is no longer

stopped by the Earth’s atmosphere• Being in constant free fall

Factors affecting the body

Effects on the body

Change in gravity fields

Affects spatial orientation, head and hand-eye coordination, balance, locomotion, motion sickness.

Isolation Development of behavioural issues and depression.

Hostileenvironments

Easily transferred micro-organisms, weakened immune system – increase chance of illness and disease.

Space radiation Damage CNS which can alter your cognitive function, reduce motor function, and change behaviour.

Constant free fall Muscle atrophy, weakening of bones, anaemia.

Case study – Apollo Astronaut Training

You need to read this article and write a case study about the issues NASA faced during the Apollo mission to the Moon.

https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-350/ch-7-8.html

Effects of long-term space flight on the human body

Astronauts can also be affected if they spend long periods of time in micro-gravity environments:

Osteoporosis

Change in blood flow

Drop in blood plasma levels

You MUST discuss the implications of these

effects and what can be done to limit this.

General work carried out by astronauts

Astronauts carry out experiments in micro-gravity environments to help us to better our understanding of certain diseases and develop treatments more effectively.

They carry out:Medical experimentsResearch based experiments linked to areas of science and industry

Back to stars…

The Hertz Sprung Russel Diagram

THIS MUST BE HAND DRAWN

AND THEN OUTLINE SIZE, LUMINOSITY

AND TEMPERATURE.

Life cycle of a star

THIS MUST BE HAND DRAWN AND LABELLED.

“Detailed notes including the point where the star reaches hydrostatic equilibrium – pressure balance, to the point where the pressure overcomes the gravitational force and the star swells and, in the case of a supernova, it explodes. This must be accompanied by a labelled diagram.”

Evidence for the Big Bang Theory

We already know evidence for this theory of the beginning of the Universe is:

1. Redshift

2. CMBR

“Explain how redshift and the cosmic microwave background radiation provide evidence for the Big Bang and therefore, evolution of the universe.”

Evolution of the Universe – How

Watch this video on the formation of the Universe and make some notes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wYw7p5MMN

Evolution of the Solar System

You need to summarise the information in the link to explain the current theory of how the Solar System was formed:

http://www.columbia.edu/~vjd1/solar_nebula.htm

Where has our current estimate of the age of the Universe come from?

𝐴𝑔𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑠𝑒 =1

𝐻𝑢𝑏𝑏𝑙𝑒′𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡=

1

2.2 × 10−18

= 4.6 × 1017𝑠 = 14.6 𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑦𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑠

Finally… Astronomical distances

Astronomical distances are huge so our standard units in Physics are unrealistic to use so we use different units:

1. Astronomical units

2. Light years

3. Parsecs (D)YOU MUST HAVE A

DEFINITION FOR EACH.