Society and the Environment Are Affected by Space Exploration and the Development of Space Technologies Unit E: Topic 4

4.1 The Risks and Dangers of Space Exploration

Risks and Dangers Accidents related to space travel may result not only in loss of human life, but in immense economic loss and the loss of countless years of work. Launch: poor weather, equipment, birds In Space: floating debris, meteoroids, solar and cosmic radiation, solar flares (blasts of electrically charged particles) Returning to Earth: Arrive at perfect angles or crafts can bounce off the atmosphere or explode.

Space Junk All the debris from rockets, satellites, space shuttles, and space stations. The Hazards in Space – They can remain in orbit for thousands of years. – Will burn up if it passes through the atmosphere, but it poses a threat in space.

Space Junk All the debris from rockets, satellites, space shuttles, and space stations. The Hazards on Earth – Example: January 1978, nuclear-powered Soviet satellite crashed into the Great Slave Lake. On re- entry, the satellite disintegrated, showering radioactive debris over 124,000 km 2. No lives were lost, but clean-up by Canadian and US personnel took 8 months and $15,000,000.

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Review Questions 1.Name four dangers faced by astronauts during space missions 2.What is meant by space junk? 3.Why would NASA be concerned about something as small as a lens cap floating in space?

4.2 Canadian Contributions to Space Exploration and Observation SctD2PNaI The Canadarm: Celebrating 30 Years of Success

Canadian Contributions 1.Canadarm 1 – Robotic arm – Manipulated by remote control – Debuted in 1981 on the US shuttle, Columbia – Functions: Launched and received satellites Fixed optical apparatus on the Hubble Telescope Put together modules of the International Space Station

Canadian Contributions 2.Canadarm 2 – Can access all parts of the ISS – Can grasp objects with its computer controlled fingers – Has 3 main systems Canadarm2: How It Works

What makes a good astronaut? Millions of dollars are spent to train people for the astronaut program and to send a few of them into space. Added to that, large financial costs and the thousands of hours of work put in by hundreds of support personnel (researchers, technicians, engineers, physiologist, and others). Obviously, choosing suitable candidates for the astronaut program is critical in making this investment of time and money worthwhile. Candidates cannot just be randomly selected from a list of all applicants. 1.With two other people, brainstorm a list of criteria that you think a candidate should have to be the “ideal astronaut.”

4.3 Issues Related to Space Exploration

How do you think money and resources should be spent: to address problems on Earth, or to explore space?

Population Demand for natural resources Supply of resources

Why look for resources in space? 1.Solar energy could be captured and beamed to Earth. 2.In the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter lie asteroids containing iron, gold and platinum. 3.Hydrogen and oxygen in moon rock. 4.Space travel expenses could be cut if the resources are already there.

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Political, Ethical, Environmental Issues Join together with one or two classmates and brainstorm to fill in the following chart. PoliticalEthicalEnvironmental

Antarctica Did you know that no one owns the Antarctica? In 1959, the 12 nations that had bases on the continent signed a treaty to share the resources of the area. The Antarctica Treaty System reads, “Antarctica shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of international discord.”

Who Owns The Moon? xX0&feature=c4- overview&list=UU6nSFpj9HTCZ5t-N3Rm3-HA xX0&feature=c4- overview&list=UU6nSFpj9HTCZ5t-N3Rm3-HA

Review Questions 1.Why might asteroids be of interest in space exploration? 2.What two elements can be processed from material on the Moon? 3.How could the elements from Moon material be used? 4.Name two concerns that some people have about exploiting resources in space. 5.Explain a political concern that exists over space and its resources. 6.List three drawbacks/costs of space exploration, and three benefits.