The Moon and Space Exploration

Moon Facts The moon rotates on its axis at the same rate that it revolves around Earth. Therefore, the same side of the moon is always facing Earth. Nobody knows exactly where the moon came from, possibly from a large object crashing into Earth and sending a glob of lava into outerspace.

Mission: Explore the Solar System Most of our knowledge of the solar system comes from space exploration efforts. Benefits of space exploration… –Advanced Communication –Space Flight –Weather Prediction –Medical Advances

How do we explore space? Manned Space Missions Robotic Probes and Satellites

Sputnik and the “Space Race” Caused a fear amongst Americans and a desire to explore space. Launched in 1957 by the U.S.S.R. and was the first known man-made object placed in space and actually orbit earth. In 1961 the first man entered space, Yuri Gargarin (a Soviet). American Alan Shepard followed less than a month later.

NASA and Manned Missions Mercury Gemini Apollo Space Shuttle

Mercury The Mercury Project was conducted by NASA from What advancement led to a desire and need to explore space? Goal: For humans to achieve spaceflight.

Gemini Advanced Spaceflight including special maneuvers –Spacewalks –Docking 10 Spaceflights from

Remember… This capsule is what they actually “flew” and returned to earth in.

Mercury… the capsule is on top! Gemini… the new capsule is again on top!

Apollo Program ran from The goal of this program was to land safely on the moon and to return. Six missions actually landed on the moon, the first being Apollo 11 on July 20, (Neil Armstrong followed by Buzz Aldrin). No one has been on the moon since the final mission, Apollo 17. Greatest technological achievement in human history.

Space Shuttle 1969 – Present, ongoing program, designed to create reusable spacecraft. Next shuttle to be developed is named Orion and expected within the next decade. 2 Disasters, Columbia and Challenger. Approximately 1:60 missions has had an accident.

Benefits of the Space Program Spinoffs – Technologies or ideas that originated from the space program and are commonly used in everyday life. –Freeze Dried Food –Memory Foam –Dustbusters –Emergency “Space” Blankets –Speedos –Tang?

Satellites and Probes Probes (called spaceprobes) fly freely to carry out a mission. Satellites orbit an object (earth, moon, etc.) Which is which?

Telescopes Most famous space telescope is HST (or Hubble Space Telescope), launched in Orbits the earth in under 100 minutes (about 25,000 ft/s). Weighs nearly 25,000 lbs. Multiple cameras/lenses (infrared, optical, UV, spectroscope). Its main mirror is approximately 8’ long. Put in orbit over 4 space shuttle mission

James Webb Space Telescope Planned to launch in 2014, and will be the HST successor. Uses mainly infrared, no optical or UV. Approximately 1.5 million km further from the earth in orbit. Less mass but 6x the collection area of HST. Why infrared as opposed to UV and Visible light?

Simulated Picture of what the JWST is expected to capture.

Other Space Mission Facts First woman in space – Sally Ride Apollo 11 landed on the “Sea of Tranquility” The Vanguard satellite is the oldest still in space. Launched Alan Shepard – first US man in space Main present goal of NASA = International Space Station Skylab – Nasa’s first mission dealing with long term living space.