Current and Future Space Current and Future Space MissionsMissions

Chapter 22 Section 3Chapter 22 Section 3

The Space ShuttleThe Space Shuttle

Reusable spacecraft for transporting Reusable spacecraft for transporting astronauts and materials to and from astronauts and materials to and from space.space.

The Space ShuttleThe Space Shuttle

Sent into space by an external liquid Sent into space by an external liquid fuel tank and two solid fuel boosters.fuel tank and two solid fuel boosters.The two boosters separate at about 45 km The two boosters separate at about 45 km

altitude and are recovered.altitude and are recovered.The liquid fuel tank is not recovered.The liquid fuel tank is not recovered.

Lands like an airplaneLands like an airplane

Space StationSpace Station

A place with living quarters, work and A place with living quarters, work and exercise areas, and all equipment and exercise areas, and all equipment and support systems necessary for supporting support systems necessary for supporting life.life.

Past Space StationsPast Space Stations

SkylabSkylab Space station launched by the US in Space station launched by the US in

1973.1973. Fell out of orbit and burned up in the Fell out of orbit and burned up in the

atmosphere in 1979.atmosphere in 1979. MirMir

Russian space station launched in Russian space station launched in 1986.1986.

Fell out of orbit and burned up in 2001.Fell out of orbit and burned up in 2001. Russia had previously launched 6 modules Russia had previously launched 6 modules

of the Soviet Salyut station in the 1970’s.of the Soviet Salyut station in the 1970’s.

International Space StationInternational Space Station Began in 1993 as a vision in which 16 countries Began in 1993 as a vision in which 16 countries

(including the U.S., Russia, ESA, Canada, and (including the U.S., Russia, ESA, Canada, and Brazil) would build parts for a joint space station.Brazil) would build parts for a joint space station.

The parts (8 large cylindrical sections called The parts (8 large cylindrical sections called modules and about 8 large solar panels) would modules and about 8 large solar panels) would be transported to space by a U.S. space shuttle be transported to space by a U.S. space shuttle and Russian boosters (more than 80 trips).and Russian boosters (more than 80 trips).

The space station would than be assembled in The space station would than be assembled in space. space.

International Space StationInternational Space Station

Phase OnePhase OneBegan with the cooperation of Russia and the Began with the cooperation of Russia and the

US in 1995.US in 1995.Continued with a series of trips to Mir by US Continued with a series of trips to Mir by US

astronauts and Russian cosmonauts on astronauts and Russian cosmonauts on spacecraft belonging to both the US and spacecraft belonging to both the US and Russia. Russia.

Ended in 1998.Ended in 1998.

International Space StationInternational Space Station Phase TwoPhase Two

Began in November, 1998 with the launch of the Began in November, 1998 with the launch of the Russian built Zarya (sunrise) Module, or the Russian built Zarya (sunrise) Module, or the Functional Cargo Block.Functional Cargo Block.

Included:Included: December 1998 - the second module, Unity, was sent to December 1998 - the second module, Unity, was sent to

space.space. December 1998 – first assembly in space occurred.December 1998 – first assembly in space occurred. July 2000 – Zveda (star) or service module was sent to July 2000 – Zveda (star) or service module was sent to

space.space. October 2000 – Various other pieces were sent to spaceOctober 2000 – Various other pieces were sent to space November 2000 - Full time crew, Expedition 1, made the ISS November 2000 - Full time crew, Expedition 1, made the ISS

the 9the 9thth inhabited space station inhabited space station November 2000 – Sent up solar panels.November 2000 – Sent up solar panels.

Ended with the delivery of the U.S. Destiny Ended with the delivery of the U.S. Destiny Laboratory Module in February 2001.Laboratory Module in February 2001.

International Space StationInternational Space Station Phase ThreePhase Three

Will deliver the Japanese Experiment Module, the European Will deliver the Japanese Experiment Module, the European Columbus Orbiting Facility, and another Russian lab to the Columbus Orbiting Facility, and another Russian lab to the space station.space station.

Has included:Has included: 2001 – two additional modules were sent to space2001 – two additional modules were sent to space April 2001 – first tourist to visit space station (second was in April of April 2001 – first tourist to visit space station (second was in April of

2002)2002) 2001 – realization by U.S that they were $5 billion over budget…2001 – realization by U.S that they were $5 billion over budget…

canceled plans for support of a 6 man crew by the space station.canceled plans for support of a 6 man crew by the space station. 2002 – U.S. space shuttle replaced crew every 4 to 5 months.2002 – U.S. space shuttle replaced crew every 4 to 5 months. Feb. 1Feb. 1stst, 2003 – Columbia broke apart upon re-entry killing all 7 on , 2003 – Columbia broke apart upon re-entry killing all 7 on

board.board. Russia began to carry crews to space station.Russia began to carry crews to space station.

2005 – U.S. began to again carry modules to space station2005 – U.S. began to again carry modules to space station 2009 – space station expected to be able to support a 6 man crew2009 – space station expected to be able to support a 6 man crew

Expected completion date of July 2010. Expected completion date of July 2010.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/iss_manifest.htmlhttp://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/iss_manifest.html

Exploring MarsExploring Mars Mars Global Surveyor and Mars PathfinderMars Global Surveyor and Mars Pathfinder

Launched in 1996.Launched in 1996. Surveyor orbited Mars and took pictures.Surveyor orbited Mars and took pictures. Pathfinder descended to the surface of Mars Pathfinder descended to the surface of Mars

using a parachute and balloon system.using a parachute and balloon system. Pathfinder carried a remote controlled robot called Pathfinder carried a remote controlled robot called

Sojourner that was used to explore the surface.Sojourner that was used to explore the surface.

Determined that water had recently seeped to the Determined that water had recently seeped to the surface in some areas.surface in some areas.

Exploring MarsExploring MarsUnsuccessful MissionsUnsuccessful Missions

Mars Climate OrbiterMars Climate OrbiterLaunched in 1998 and lost in September of 1999.Launched in 1998 and lost in September of 1999.Engineers used English instead of metric units and Engineers used English instead of metric units and

incorrectly calculated the force the thrusters should incorrectly calculated the force the thrusters should exert.exert.

Mars Polar LanderMars Polar LanderLost in December 1999 as it was making a descent Lost in December 1999 as it was making a descent

to Mars.to Mars.Thought that the spacecraft thought it had landed Thought that the spacecraft thought it had landed

and shut off its thrusters too soon.and shut off its thrusters too soon.

New Millennium ProgramNew Millennium Program

Goals:Goals:Develop advanced technologies to send Develop advanced technologies to send

smart spacecraft into space (reduces the smart spacecraft into space (reduces the amount of ground control).amount of ground control).

Reduce size of future spacecraft to reduce Reduce size of future spacecraft to reduce cost.cost.

Exploring the MoonExploring the Moon

Lunar ProspectorLunar ProspectorLaunched in 1998Launched in 1998Orbited moon and took pictures for one year.Orbited moon and took pictures for one year. Indicated there might be hydrogen present at Indicated there might be hydrogen present at

the poles of the moon.the poles of the moon.Possibly frozen ice at the bottom of the craters.Possibly frozen ice at the bottom of the craters.

The Lunar Prospector was supposed to crash The Lunar Prospector was supposed to crash into a crater at the south pole when finished into a crater at the south pole when finished with the mission to – failed.with the mission to – failed.

CassiniCassini

Launched in October of 1997.Launched in October of 1997.Destination is Saturn Destination is Saturn Will deliver the European Space Will deliver the European Space

Agency’s probe Huygens to the Agency’s probe Huygens to the moon Titan which may have an moon Titan which may have an atmosphere similar to that of the atmosphere similar to that of the Earth.Earth.

http://www.nasaimages.org/luna/servlet/detail/NVA2~1~1~2330~102499:Huygens-Arrival-at-Titan--onto-land?qvq=q:huygens;lc:nasaNAS~5~5,NVA2~14~14,nasaNAS~20~20,NVA2~1~1,NVA2~13~13,nasaNAS~16~16,NSVS~3~3,NVA2~8~8,nasaNAS~8~8,NVA2~4~4,nasaNAS~6~6,NVA2~18~18,nasaNAS~4~4,nasaNAS~2~2,nasaNAS~13~13,NVA2~17~17,nasaNAS~12~12,nasaNAS~22~22,NVA2~16~16,NVA2~9~9,nasaNAS~10~10,nasaNAS~7~7,NVA2~15~15,nasaNAS~9~9,NVA2~19~19&mi=4&trs=4121

Cassini - UpdatedCassini - Updated Cassini completed its initial four-year mission to Cassini completed its initial four-year mission to

explore the Saturn System in June 2008. explore the Saturn System in June 2008. Cassini is now being used for the Cassini Cassini is now being used for the Cassini

Equinox Mission (through Sept 2010) which is Equinox Mission (through Sept 2010) which is trying to answer questions raised during the first trying to answer questions raised during the first four years. four years.

Cassini will observe seasonal changes brought Cassini will observe seasonal changes brought by the changing sun angle on during the August by the changing sun angle on during the August 2009 equinox on Saturn, the rings, and the 2009 equinox on Saturn, the rings, and the moons.moons.

http://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfmhttp://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm

Cassini Equinox MissionCassini Equinox Mission

SaturnSaturnThe Equinox mission will look for visible The Equinox mission will look for visible

changes in the atmosphere of Saturn (such as changes in the atmosphere of Saturn (such as variations in temperature, winds, and cloud variations in temperature, winds, and cloud patterns) due to the shifting of sunlight from patterns) due to the shifting of sunlight from south to north.south to north.

Cassini Equinox MissionCassini Equinox Mission

RingsRingsThe rings of Saturn are a complex place with The rings of Saturn are a complex place with

small moons and ring particles that jostle and small moons and ring particles that jostle and collide.collide.

The Equinox mission will look for changes in The Equinox mission will look for changes in ring activity due to changing sun angle.ring activity due to changing sun angle.

Cassini Equinox MissionCassini Equinox Mission

Magnetic EnvironmentMagnetic EnvironmentCassini found that water ice jets from the Cassini found that water ice jets from the

moon Enceladus played a major role in the moon Enceladus played a major role in the magnetosphere of Saturn.magnetosphere of Saturn.

The Equinox Mission will study this The Equinox Mission will study this phenomena in unexplored areas of the phenomena in unexplored areas of the magnetosphere. magnetosphere.

Cassini Equinox MissionCassini Equinox Mission

EnceladusEnceladusSmall, icy very active moon. Small, icy very active moon. Tidal heating keeps the moon warm.Tidal heating keeps the moon warm.Contains complex organic chemicals.Contains complex organic chemicals.Has potential liquid water.Has potential liquid water.

Cassini Equinox MissionCassini Equinox Mission

TitanTitanHas a thick smog filled atmosphere with Has a thick smog filled atmosphere with

complex organic chemistry.complex organic chemistry.Has vast methane lakes and wind-driven Has vast methane lakes and wind-driven

hydrocarbon sand dunes.hydrocarbon sand dunes.Has an internal liquid water-ammonia ocean.Has an internal liquid water-ammonia ocean.The Equinox mission will:The Equinox mission will:

Look for seasonal climate changes such as Look for seasonal climate changes such as storms, flooding, or changes in lake level.storms, flooding, or changes in lake level.

Look for evidence of volcanic activity.Look for evidence of volcanic activity.

Cassini Equinox MissionCassini Equinox Mission

Icy MoonsIcy MoonsThe Equinox Mission will try to determine why The Equinox Mission will try to determine why

the small moon Iapetus has a mountainous the small moon Iapetus has a mountainous bulge around its center and why one side is bulge around its center and why one side is black and the other side of the moon is white. black and the other side of the moon is white.

The Equinox Mission will look at what appears The Equinox Mission will look at what appears to be rings around the moon Rhea. to be rings around the moon Rhea.

The Equinox Mission will look for possible The Equinox Mission will look for possible activity on the moon Dione and Tethys.activity on the moon Dione and Tethys.

The Next Generation The Next Generation Space TelescopeSpace Telescope

Part of the Origins projectPart of the Origins project Renamed the James Web Space Telescope in 2002 Renamed the James Web Space Telescope in 2002

after the former NASA administrator.after the former NASA administrator. International collaboration between NASA, the European International collaboration between NASA, the European

Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. Will be a large infrared telescope with a 6.5-meter Will be a large infrared telescope with a 6.5-meter

primary mirror. primary mirror.  Will:Will:

help scientists to study the evolution of galaxies, the production help scientists to study the evolution of galaxies, the production of elements by stars, and the process of star and planet of elements by stars, and the process of star and planet formation.formation.

be able to see objects 400 times fainter than those currently be able to see objects 400 times fainter than those currently viewed with and based telescopes.viewed with and based telescopes.

be used to view the closest stars and galaxies.be used to view the closest stars and galaxies. Launch is planned for 2013.Launch is planned for 2013.

Everyday Space TechnologyEveryday Space Technology

Technology developed through the space Technology developed through the space program has been used in everyday life.program has been used in everyday life.

Examples:Examples:Programmable pacemakersProgrammable pacemakersAdvanced jet enginesAdvanced jet enginesChemical diagnostic indicatorsChemical diagnostic indicatorsActivation of traffic lights by emergency Activation of traffic lights by emergency

vehiclesvehicles