the challenges of space travel

THE CHALLENGES OF SPACE TRAVEL

LEARNING GOALS REVISITED

• I will be able to identify the risks associated with space travel!

1. GETTING INTO SPACE …

• Rocket speeds of 11.2 km/s or 40 320 km/h to escape Earth’s gravity

• Acceleration speeds must be carefully calculated based on weight to avoid damage to ship

• Altitude of 242 km above earth

• Velocity of about 27 400 km/h to stay in orbit

FUEL

• Almost all fuel used during launch

• Once in orbit, fuel is only used for short spurts to alter course

• Solar is new option

2. LIVING IN ANTI-GRAVITY

• Things in space in continuous free fall so things inside them have a feeling of weightlessness

• Microgravity environment

• Everything must be secured

HEALTH EFFECTS

• Things in our body require gravity to assist in their function

• Blood pools in the upper body – puffy face

• Muscle atrophy – bird legs

• They must exercise at least 2 hrs a day to prevent muscle loss

• Bone loss up to 2% per month

• Radiation from the sun – space vehicles must have special protective shields

3. WATER AND FOOD

• Water• Every drop is recycled

• Astronauts use special soap and shampoo

• Food

• Need creative ways to have enough and not take up space

• Low maintenance

HYGIENE

• Shampoo

• Bathroom

• Sleeping

• Nail clippers

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

• Launched in 1998

• 50 shuttle launches and 150 space walks to complete

• Can be seen with unaided eye as bright star across night sky

• 200 people from 15 countries have visited

ISS

ISS

SPACE JUNK

• video

LEARNING GOALS REVISITED

• I will be able to identify the risks associated with space travel!