Topic 2.0 – Technological Developments for Space

Exploration

What is considered “space”?

Out of the Earth’s atmosphere – an object must travel at least at 28 000km/h.  

2.1 – Technologies for Transport

A. Space TransportSatellites – any smaller body that is orbiting a

larger one;

Ex. Natural satellite - moon is a satellite for the Earth

Ex. Artificial – human-placed satellites transmit

non-stop information for use in communications, navigation, research and weather forecasting

2.1 – Technologies for Transport

Which is artificial?Which is natural??

Think Lab: How do we get artificial satellites into orbit?

Discuss with a partner some ideas….. Imagine throwing a ball – what does the shape of its path look like?

Imagine shooting a bullet from a gun – what would its path look like?

Now, imagine shooting a cannon - essentially the object is falling back to Earth at the same rate the Earth is curving….so its falling back to Earth but never getting there.

Space Probes – remote controlled landers/satellites that explore areas

Landing of current Mars probe, Curiosity

◦ Have investigated all the planets of our solar system except Pluto

2.1 – Technologies for Transport

Phoenix Mars Lander space probe

B. Historical Space Transport 1957 – Soviet Union releases 1st artificial

satellite – size of a basketball◦ called “SPUTNIK”◦ -Sputnik II released 1 month later which carried a

dog named “LAIKA”

1962- Canada became 3rd nation in world to launch its own satellite (ALOUETTE I)

2.1 – Technologies for Transport

Sputnik I (left)Sputnik II (right) carrying Laika – this satellite was burned up re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere

B. Historical Space Transport Manned Spacecraft (ex. Mir, International

Space Station) – conduct studies while in Earth’s orbit◦ Biological and chemical experiements while in

microgravity

2.1 – Technologies for Transport

Candle on Earth, candle on ISS

Mir – Russian space station-orbited the earth for 15 years (only expected to orbit 5)-Russian brought it down back in 2001(remains landed in Pacific ocean)

ISS – where is it?ISS – sleeping quarters and kitchen

MIR Russion Space Station

Quick Facts: - has been manned for 12 years-is a collaborative project between Nations-shuttles can dock and repair problems on probes

C. Science of RocketryRocket -an aircraft which obtains thrust by

ejection of fast moving fluid from within a rocket engine.

Uses the MAIN IDEA: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction”

Therefore if a rocket is ejecting fluid downward, the equal and opposite force would be forcing the rocket upward.***

2.1 – Technologies for Transport

ex. Balloon – let the air out – balloon travels in opposite direction

D. Basic Components to a Rocket 1. Structural/Mechanical Elements – rocket,

engines, storage tanks 2. Fuel – can be any: liquid oxygen, gasoline,

liquid hydrogen◦ is ignited which caused the gas to expand and

leave as exhaust

3. Payload- materials needed for flight crew, water, air, people

2.1 – Technologies for Transport

2.1 – Technologies for Transport

2.1 – Technologies for Transport Gravitational assist – a method of

acceleration that enables a rocket to gain speed by using gravity◦ Rocket is sent around the earth. ◦ Gravity attracts the rocket and speeds up the

rocket causing it to slingshot away.

E. Future of Spacecraft Technology

1.Ion Drives Use xenon fuels, which gives less force

(10000x) but lasts longer than regular fuels Spacecrafts travel faster with ion drives

2.1 – Technologies for Transport

E. Future of Spacecraft Technology2. Solar Sails Using “sails” for propelling a rocket (similar

to a sail boat) The Sun emits energy in the form of

photons (particles) that transfer their energy to the sail when they hit the sail

2.1 – Technologies for Transport

F. Shuttles, Space Probes and Space StationsThree main types of spacecraft:

1. Shuttles – transports personnel and equipment to orbiting spacecraft

2. Space Probes – contain instrumentation for carrying out robotic exploration of space ex. Voyager

2.1 – Technologies for Transport

Shuttles, Space Probes and Space Stations

3. Space Station – orbiting spacecraft that have living quarters, work areas and all the support systems needed to survive for extended periods of time◦ Ex. Russian Mir Station, International Space

Station

◦ ISS- Joint partnership between US, Russia, Japan, Europe and Canada

2.1 – Technologies for Transport

A. Hazards of Living in Space

1. Environmental Hazards Water and air use are limited Risk of getting hit by meteoroids Damaging effects of cosmic rays and solar

radiation (mutate cells- cause cancer)

2.2 – Surviving in Space

Expedition 11 Flight Engineer and NASA ISS Science Officer John Phillips floats inside the International Space Station's Destiny Laboratory

A. Hazards of Living in Space

2. Psychological Challenges to Confined Living

Cramped areas (claustrophobia) Lack of social interaction

Video clip : stop at 2:06

2.2 – Surviving in Space

Christer Fuglesang Participates in a Spacewalk

A. Hazards of Living in Space3. The Body of Microgravity Weightlessness causes changes to body Bones expand, due to lack of pressure Heart rate lowers because it is not as hard

to pump blood Muscles weaken (do not get exercised)

2.2 – Surviving in Space

Everything needed to sustain life must be present in the suit: air, water, heating/cooling system and a toilet

Must be flexible – must be able to turn a wrench

Is custom-designed to each person

The Space Suit

Gravity- the force of attraction between masses. The larger the difference in masses, the greater the gravity present

Ex. Earth mass=6x1024 kgs Human mass 85kgs

Microgravity – the condition in which gravitational forces that act on a mass are greatly reduced (such as in space)

2.2 – Surviving in Space

B. Recycling-essential for life in space Materials on board must be recyclable or

reusable All water (drinking, urine, hygiene) on

board is filtered, purified and recycled Oxygen is supplied by electrolysis of water

◦Electrolysis is the splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen

Video Clip : Big Bang Theory

2.2 – Surviving in Space

The main problem with current urine filtering technology is that it uses machinery that requires a lot of electricity from the ship’s limited supply. This “water-conversion kit” makes use of a process called forward osmosis that pulls the urine through a semi-permeable membrane, and fully filters a full bag in just a couple of hours. Recycling urine in this way has a significant effect on a ship’s payload, and considering that a single pound adds $10,000 of cost, that slight weight difference can translate to serious savings.

NASA's Pee Recycling Bag Turns Urine Into a Sports Drinkby Cliff Champion, 07/10/11

The actual conversion process is fairly simple. To avoid the messiness of zero-gravity fluid transfers, waste liquid is drawn by syringe through a T-shaped valve. On the other end of the valve is the receptacle bag, and a switch is flipped to seamlessly transfer the waste liquid with the filled syringe. The final step is to let the bag do its magic, and 4-6 hours later, you have yourself a drink that (according to a daring Japanese cameraman) resembles Capri Sun.

Recycle wastewater for drinking water Recycle water to make oxygen Remove CO2 from air Filter micro-organisms and dust from air Keep air pressure, temperature and

humidity stable

C. Functions of Life Support Systems (on ISS)

Reminder: Satellites are objects that orbit around larger objects

Ex. Moon is a natural satellite of Earth

Communication satellites – are placed in Low Earth Orbit or Geosynchronous Orbit

2.3 – Using Space Technology

A. Geosynchronous orbit- when satellites orbit at the same rate that the Earth spins

Satellites are placed 36 000km above Earth Since the satellite is

traveling at the same speed as the earth is rotating, the satellite can monitor the same area at all times

2.3 – Using Space Technology

• Only 5 are needed to cover entire Earth (however, does not cover polar regions)Ex. Weather satellites, telephones, TV

B. Low Earth Orbit – When satellites are placed 200 to 800km above Earth

Rotate around earth once per 1.5 hours Enables remote sensing (provides

information on the environment of the earth such as heat, solar reflection)

2.3 – Using Space Technology

Uses of LEO Satellites

GovernmentMilitaryCommercialCivil

Satellite Ownership in Geosynchronous Orbit

CommercialGovernmentMilitaryCivil

C. GPS – global positioning system • Allows information about an object’s

position at any given time Done through the positioning of 24 satellites

around earth – therefore 3 are able to be used at any one time

Uses triangulation (the use of 3 data points to plot a position)

2.3 – Using Space Technology

How to remove space junk -article http://

news.discovery.com/space/cubesails-to-drag-space-junk-from-orbit.html

A note about space junk….

Vanguard I – launched by US in 1958, is the oldest space debris -located in MEO; lost contact in 1964 and will remain orbitting Earth for 240 years….until 2204!