Topic 2.0- Tech Developments Are Making Space Exploration Possible... Flashcards
Achievements of rocket science
Around 400 b.c the Greek mathematician archytas used escaping steam to propel a model pigeon along wires
In the first century, the Chinese were using gunpowder to make rocket-propelled arrows for battle
In 1957, the Soviet Union became the first country in the world to launch an artificial satellite called Sputnik
Sputnik
The first artificial satellite to be launched. Launched by the Soviet Union
A month after it was put into orbit around the earth the Soviet Union launched a second space capsule. This one carried a small dog who survived for seven days as orbiting earth. The his event marked the first time any living creature had been sent to space. The info gathered from that mission set the path for human space travel.
Three main types of spacecraft
Shuttles transport personnel and equipment to orbiting spacecraft
Space probes contain instrumentation for carrying out robotic exploration in space.
Space stations are orbiting spacecraft that have living quarters, work areas and all the support systems needed for humans to work and live there for extended periods
International space station
It orbits earth at an altitude of 350 km, and provides quite the place. It is a joint project of 16 nations, including the U.S, Canada, Japan, Russia, Brazil and 11 nations of the European space agency
It will serve as a permanent laboratory in space as well as command post for building and launching interplanetary rockets
There are plans to make more space stations in the future, as well as several private companies are planning to develop hotels and amusement parks in space or on the moon.
The science of rocketry
It relies on a fundamental law of physics: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
An inflated balloon is similar to a simple rocky… It is full of air and is confining gas under pressure. Release the balloon and it will propel in a direction opposite to the path of the escaping gas
How a rocket works
Also use gas under pressure confined in a chamber or tank. An opening in the chamber allows the gas to be released, producing thrust and causing the rocket to be propelled in the opposite direction into space
Three basic parts of a rocket
Structural and mechanical elements, the fuel, and the payload.
Structural and mechanical elements
Everything from the rocket itself to engines, storage tanks and the fins on the outside
Fuel
Can be any number of materials including liquid oxygen, gasoline, and liquid hydrogen
This mixture is ignited in a combustion chamber, causing the gases to expand and leave as exaust
Payload
Refers to the materials needed for the flight, including crew cabins, food, water, air and people
Ion drives ( positives and negatives as well )
Engines that use xenon gas instead of chemical fuels. In the spacecraft engine, the xenon is electrically charged, accelerated and then emitted as exhaust which pushes the spacecraft opposite of the emission
The thrust created is much weaker than the thrust from today’s chemically fuelled engines. However it lasts much longer! The little force applied pushes it far distances and acts as a very fast vehicle… It also uses little fuel
Solar sails
Similar to propelling boats using wind sails. Instead of harnessing air currents for energy, solar sales would use the sun’s light. The sun emits electromagnetic energy in the form of photons. The solar sails tested are made of carbon fibre and… The first photons hit the sail, the energy transmitted causes the spacecraft to move.
Environmental hazards of space
Space is a vacuum, with no water or air. Space passengers can get damaging affects of cosmic rays and solar radiation and the risk of being hit by meteoroids. The temp can be extremely cold in the shadows of space and boiling hot in near the sun. The gas atmosphere is not the same in space and the pressure that keeps our heartbeats regulated is not in space.
Psychological challenges to confined living
Long trips in the confined space of a spacecraft can cause psychological issues. Also you can be in space for possibly 2 years! The international space station does not give as much space as provided in your home!
microgravity
Gravity is the force of attraction between masses. On earth gravity gives us our feeling of weight. Microgravity is the condition in and which the gravitational forces that act on mass are greatly reduced.