Seminar Questions Flashcards
What are some applications of Penetrators?
Bunker busters, gather intelligence, deploy space instruments, sample collection
What was the range of depth of impact for penetrators discussed? (Prof. winglee) (confirm with lecture video)
18 inches (24inches?) to 6 feet
How is the sample return collected in the penetrator system?
Sample flows through center core into sample return cannister
Name two techniques that can be used to take pictures of Earth-sized exoplanets:
- external starshade
* internal coronagraph
Name examples of planets that are uninhabitable but wold appear pale blue in color just like the Earth:
(confirm with lecture video)
- Uranus, Neptune
* Mar and Castillo under certain conditions
Why is chemical disequilibrium in a planetary atmosphere a possible biosignature?
Methane and CO2 should not exist together but do on Earth because the life that is present here replenishes them
Why does NASA use the T38 jet for training astronauts? What specifically makes these vehicles useful for preparing for space?
They act as a real-time trainer by forcing the trainee to deal with emergencies in the air quickly
Provide details about the STS-131 mission:
April 5th, 2005; vehicle: Discovery; transport (including ammonia) equipment to the ISS
How many space walks did we do (on the STS-131 mission) and what was the primary objective?
3 walks; Place new ammonia tank in temporary storage, remove old ammonia tank, and place new tank
What keeps astronauts safe on a spacewalk?
Safety tether (65-85ft) and jet backpacks (use nitrogen)
What was the first spacecraft to visit Mars, and what did it see?
Mariner 4; flat and craterous surface
What are the sources of power that NASA’s Mars rover use?
Solar panels and RTG (nuclear power, uses plutonium)
Why did curiosity land in Gale Crater of Mars?
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
What will be the major objective of NASA’s next rover?
Mars 2020; collect rocks to be returned to Earth
What types of equipment did we deliver to the ISS? (on the STS-131 mission)
Food, ammonia tank, window operating rack facility (a camera), new crew quarters
What were the robotic arms used for? (STS-131)
Moving the ammonia tank, holding fancy rack camera
How do you stay fit in space and why?
Treadmill and ARED, muscle density decreases rapidly?
Why did NASA learn from the NEEMO 16 mission at the Aquarius habitat off Florida?
Simulation of an extreme environment, simulating near Earth asteroid. Helps practice use of jets, robotic arm, sample collection, space vehicles)
Why do launch vehicles use chemical propulsion to get off the surface of the Earth?
High amounts of forced produced by energy stored in the bonds
Which is more efficient, chemical or electric propulsion?
Electric, uses magnetic/electric fields to propel mass outwards, but has low thrust
Why do we do vibrational tests on our hardware before it is put on a satellite?
To simulate a harsh launch environment
Why did I (Brandt) stick kevlar and carbon fiber rods into honeycomb aluminum?
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What makes the Adaptive Langmuir Probe (ALP) adaptive?
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What was the proposed mission that would utilize ALP?
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