space

Question 1

What are the benefits of space exploration?

Answer 1

Communication – modern communication uses satellites.
Satellite navigation
jobs
mapping
weather monitoring

Question 2

what are the risks and costs of space exploration?

Answer 2

Pollution of space with debris from satellites and spacecraft. There is a risk that some debris may fall to Earth and reach the Earth’s surface. The risk of being hit is infinitely small though

Danger to life – several astronauts have lost their lives in both the Apollo Moon missions and shuttle missions.

Cost – the budget for space exploration is high. Could that money be better spent elsewhere?

Question 3

what is gravitational field strength?

Answer 3

The force due to gravity per unit mass

Question 4

what is meant by the orbital period of a satellite?

Answer 4

The time taken for the satellite to do one full rotation around the earth

Question 5

what are heat shields for and how do they work?

Answer 5

Heat shields are designed to change state and break off on reentry. When a substance changes state it’s temperature stays constant and damage to the spacecraft is avoided.