Space Exploration Tools•Rockets

•Space Shuttle

•Artificial Satellites

•Space Probes

•International Space Station

•Telescopes

THE SPACE RACE IS ON!

Rocket• A vehicle or device that

contains all the substances needed to burn fuel and uses escaping gas from the burning of fuel to move

• YOU do not RIDE in a rocket, a rocket is the fuel source that lifts the space craft.

• Used to launch the space shuttle.

• Robert Goddard— “Father of Modern Rocketry”

http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/history/apollo/apollo-11/images/69HC761.GIF

Rockets

Space Probe

• A vehicle that carries scientific instruments to planets or other bodies in space.

• They take pictures, temperature readings, and chemical readings of the atmosphere.

• Clementine (1994)-discovered evidence of water on moon

• Magellan (1989)—mapped 98% of Venus’ surface.

• The probes move around on the surface of any celestial body.

• Mars Rover is an example of a probe you hear about sometimes on the news.

http://www.scienceclarified.com/images/uesc_09_img0536.jpg

Space Probes

LUNA 9

(USSR)

CLEMENTINE

(US)

VENERA 9 (USSR)

MAGELLAN (US)

VIKING 2 (US)

MARS PATHFINDER

(US)

Sojourner

Artificial Satellites

Any human-made object

placed in orbit around

a body in space

What are some other uses for Artificial Satellites?

• Weather satellites

• TV satellites

• Telephone satellites

• Military satellites

Space Shuttle

A reusable vehicle that takes off like a rocket and lands like an

airplane

Space Shuttle• Used to carry astronauts

to repair satellites and construct the ISS.

• The first shuttle launched April 12, 1981.

• Final shuttle mission was March 9, 2011.

• The external fuel tank is not reused after flight, but is recycled.

• The solid rocket boosters break away and land safely in the ocean by way of parachute.

http://images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/012/cache/space-shuttle-atlantis_1223_600x450.jpg

Telescopes

• A telescope is an instrument that aids in the observation of distant objects.

• The first known telescopes were invented in the early 1600’s in the Netherlands.

• There are two different types of telescopes: – Reflecting: using mirrors; used in the Hubble

telescope. This is the type used most widely today.– Refracting: using glass lenses; used terrestrially and

in astronomy.• Telescopes need to be placed on hills and away from

major cities due to light pollution.

A variety of telescopes

Reflecting Telescope: Mount Wilson Observatory

Refracting telescope: Nice Observatory

Hubble Telescope departing space shuttle Atlantis.

INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION

A long-term orbiting vehicle that allows astronauts to live and work in

space

International Space Station (ISS)

• Built in 1993• Research laboratory in space

to conduct experiments.• Used for microgravity

experiments and other research in space.

• Since the shuttle program was discontinued by NASA, American astronauts have to ride up with cosmonauts from other countries.

• There are currently astronauts in the space station.

• They tend to have missions that last about 6 months.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/spacestore_1985_26308770