Seminar Questions

Question 1

What are some applications of Penetrators?

Answer 1

Bunker busters, gather intelligence, deploy space instruments, sample collection

Question 2

What was the range of depth of impact for penetrators discussed? (Prof. winglee) (confirm with lecture video)

Answer 2

18 inches (24inches?) to 6 feet

Question 3

How is the sample return collected in the penetrator system?

Answer 3

Sample flows through center core into sample return cannister

Question 4

Name two techniques that can be used to take pictures of Earth-sized exoplanets:

Answer 4

• external starshade

* internal coronagraph

Question 5

Name examples of planets that are uninhabitable but wold appear pale blue in color just like the Earth:
(confirm with lecture video)

Answer 5

• Uranus, Neptune

* Mar and Castillo under certain conditions

Question 6

Why is chemical disequilibrium in a planetary atmosphere a possible biosignature?

Answer 6

Methane and CO2 should not exist together but do on Earth because the life that is present here replenishes them

Question 7

Why does NASA use the T38 jet for training astronauts? What specifically makes these vehicles useful for preparing for space?

Answer 7

They act as a real-time trainer by forcing the trainee to deal with emergencies in the air quickly

Question 8

Provide details about the STS-131 mission:

Answer 8

April 5th, 2005; vehicle: Discovery; transport (including ammonia) equipment to the ISS

Question 9

How many space walks did we do (on the STS-131 mission) and what was the primary objective?

Answer 9

3 walks; Place new ammonia tank in temporary storage, remove old ammonia tank, and place new tank

Question 10

What keeps astronauts safe on a spacewalk?

Answer 10

Safety tether (65-85ft) and jet backpacks (use nitrogen)

Question 11

What was the first spacecraft to visit Mars, and what did it see?

Answer 11

Mariner 4; flat and craterous surface

Question 12

What are the sources of power that NASA’s Mars rover use?

Answer 12

Solar panels and RTG (nuclear power, uses plutonium)

Question 13

Why did curiosity land in Gale Crater of Mars?

Answer 13

It’s objective is to find habitable land surface on Mars, in the middle of the crater is Mt. Sharp, and sedimentary mountain; collecting and analyzing samples there

Question 14

What will be the major objective of NASA’s next rover?

Answer 14

Mars 2020; collect rocks to be returned to Earth

Question 15

What types of equipment did we deliver to the ISS? (on the STS-131 mission)

Answer 15

Food, ammonia tank, window operating rack facility (a camera), new crew quarters

Question 16

What were the robotic arms used for? (STS-131)

Answer 16

Moving the ammonia tank, holding fancy rack camera

Question 17

How do you stay fit in space and why?

Answer 17

Treadmill and ARED, muscle density decreases rapidly?

Question 18

Why did NASA learn from the NEEMO 16 mission at the Aquarius habitat off Florida?

Answer 18

Simulation of an extreme environment, simulating near Earth asteroid. Helps practice use of jets, robotic arm, sample collection, space vehicles)

Question 19

Why do launch vehicles use chemical propulsion to get off the surface of the Earth?

Answer 19

High amounts of forced produced by energy stored in the bonds

Question 20

Which is more efficient, chemical or electric propulsion?

Answer 20

Electric, uses magnetic/electric fields to propel mass outwards, but has low thrust

Question 21

Why do we do vibrational tests on our hardware before it is put on a satellite?

Answer 21

To simulate a harsh launch environment

Question 22

Why did I (Brandt) stick kevlar and carbon fiber rods into honeycomb aluminum?

Answer 22

blah

Question 23

What makes the Adaptive Langmuir Probe (ALP) adaptive?

Answer 23

blah

Question 24

What was the proposed mission that would utilize ALP?

Answer 24

blah