Space Exploration
S1-4-09 Explain how various technologies have extended our ability to explore and understand space.
S1-4-11 Evaluate the impact of space science and technologies in terms of their benefits and risks to humans.
KEY WORDSEscape velocity SatellitesGeosynchronous GPSProbes ISS
Escape velocity – speed a rocket needs to overcome the pull of gravity moving into space.
• Smaller rockets attached to the spacecraft make minor changes in the direction once in space
No atmosphere in space – shuttle must carry an oxygen supply for the rocket fuel to combust and burn
Earth Orbit Satellites
Earth orbit satellites exist as two types:
1. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites • (1963) Canada’s first satellite - Alouette 1• Traveling very fast – so it doesn’t get pulled in
LEO objects must move fast enough to orbit Earth every 90 minutes or they will lose speed
by the pull of gravity and crash
• International Space Station, Hubble Telescope
2. High Earth Orbit (HEO) satellites• Higher so it can travel much slower• With the right speed, can be geosynchronous(Moving with Earth’s rotation – always over the same spot)
• (1972) Canada’s 1st geosynchronous - Anik 1 • Used for telecommunications
Global Positioning System (GPS) • 24 satellites at a distance of 20 000 km above the Earth • not geosynchronous
Space Probes
Space ProbesRobotic explorers – lots of advantages for use• Less expensive than manned spacecraft• Farther distances can be explored• No death – don’t need to get them back
Probe Names:VoyagerPioneerCassiniGalileoPathfinderLunar prospector Mars Sojourner Rover
Hubble Space Telescope
The First Optical Telescope in Space
Images sent to us by the Hubble Space Telescope are from some stars 8 billion light years away
Name: American astronomer Edwin P. HubbleLaunch: April 24, 1990 from shuttle Discovery
Optical Capabilities Light capabilities: Ultraviolet, visible and infrared Equipment: 3 cameras, 3 spectroscopesData Statistics: transmits 120 gigabytes every week
Dr. Hubble confirmed an "expanding" universe, which provided the foundation for the Big Bang theory
Manned Space Activities
Space Race Facts: • First satellite – Sputnik – Soviet (1957)• First manned spacecraft – Soviet (1961)• First space station – Salyut 1 – Soviet (1971)• Second space station – MIR – Soviet (1986)
MIR space station was used until 1998 when it was converted into the much larger:
International Space Station (ISS)A cooperative venture of the United States, Europe,
Canada, Russia and Japan
Russian astronauts are called “cosmonauts” – Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space
Sputnik
MIR
Yuri Gagarin
International Space Station
Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, Edwin (Buzz) Aldrin
Apollo 11 • First humans on the moon - July 20, 1969• Armstrong was first (“one small step…”)• Collected 47.5 pounds of lunar material
Canada's Involvement In Space
Canadarm• Used on the International Space Station• A robotic arm that allows astronauts in the space shuttle to move large cargo in space
• Not permanently attached to one spot – it can move
around the Space Station on tracks
Astronauts and Astronomers:Chris Hadfield Roberta BondarMarc Garneau Julie PayetteBob Thirsk Dave Williams
• Canadian astronauts are usually scientists or “payload specialists” - in charge of satellites and equipment
(1989) Canadian Space Agency
CAN YOU ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS?
S1-4-09:What is the purpose of the various objects humans put in space?
S1-4-11:
What are advantages and disadvantages of using robots in space?
KEY WORDSEscape velocity SatellitesGeosynchronous GPSProbes ISS