The Future of Space Travel Section 10.5

Technologies Since the 1950s we have – sent people to the moon, probes to planets, built the ISS. As technologies improve so will space travel.

Space Shuttle Will be retired after 2010 NASA is developing reusable launch vehicles. The Ares rockets are scheduled to take people back to the moon and to Mars and other destinations.

The Moon: A Testing Ground NASA has a goal of sending astronauts to live and work on Mars. The moon will be a test site and launching spot to head to Mars. NASA has plans to send humans back to the moon in 2020. Moon and Mars share properties – cold, covered in dust-like particles.

Dangers of Exploring the Moon & Mars Takes 4 days to get to the Moon, 6-10 months to get to Mars. The fine layer of dust that covers the Moon and Mars may be up to 10m deep in places. This dust can harm equipment but also irritate eyes, skin and lungs.

Challenges of traveling to the Moon & Mars Difficulties obtaining a constant supply of water, oxygen and food. Protection from the cold and the Sun’s radiation (ultraviolet and X-Ray)

Space Tourism In 2009 the cost for space tourists was $30 million for 7 days! Suborbital trips aboard specially built planes will take passengers to 100km above Earth and they will experience short bouts of weightlessness.. Virgin Galactic charges $200,000 per trip

Space Elevators? There are scientists competing to develop the first elevator to space. Would be tethered to a ship in the ocean and a counterweight in space The climber would be powered by a laser The cable would be 36000 km long We currently do not have the technology

Today’s Tasks Read more about the Ares space crafts on page 434 Pg. 437 #1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10