Class 4 Space Exploration

Do rockets really ever blow up like that? Do rockets really ever blow up like that? Any examples? Any examples?

Planes and balloons need air to operate. Planes and balloons need air to operate. To leave Earth’s atmosphere a machine was needed that did not depend on air. To leave Earth’s atmosphere a machine was needed that did not depend on air.

A rocket works by expelling material out the back and does not need air to operate. A rocket works by expelling material out the back and does not need air to operate. First rockets date back to China 800 years ago. First rockets date back to China 800 years ago. Used by the military and for entertainment. Used by the military and for entertainment.

In 1926 Robert Goddard (an American) tested the first liquid fueled rocket. In 1926 Robert Goddard (an American) tested the first liquid fueled rocket. Goddard came up with many inventions that made the rocket more efficient such as a different shaped nozzle. Goddard came up with many inventions that made the rocket more efficient such as a different shaped nozzle.

Rocket fuel and oxygen are burn together in a combustion chamber. The resulting hot gases are expelled out the nozzle. Rocket fuel and oxygen are burn together in a combustion chamber. The resulting hot gases are expelled out the nozzle.

Goddard work was not appreciated at home, but the Germans developed his ideas into deadly weapons used in WWII. Goddard work was not appreciated at home, but the Germans developed his ideas into deadly weapons used in WWII.

After the war German rocket scientists were recruited by both the US and USSR to build weapons. After the war German rocket scientists were recruited by both the US and USSR to build weapons. These included Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) These included Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs)

The Soviet Union orbited the first satellite in The Soviet Union orbited the first satellite in This surprised and alarmed Americans. This surprised and alarmed Americans. Money was poured into education and the sciences. Money was poured into education and the sciences.

This also led to the so called “space race” between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. This also led to the so called “space race” between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Wernher Von Braun, a former German scientist, lead the American effort through NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). Wernher Von Braun, a former German scientist, lead the American effort through NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).

The race reached it peak when the American’s landed a man on the moon in The race reached it peak when the American’s landed a man on the moon in Neil Armstrong was the first man to step on the moon. Neil Armstrong was the first man to step on the moon.

From 1981 till today the US operates a reusable spacecraft called the space shuttle. From 1981 till today the US operates a reusable spacecraft called the space shuttle. 5 shuttles were built, but 2 have been destroyed in accidents. 5 shuttles were built, but 2 have been destroyed in accidents.

From 1973 to 1979 NASA operated a station in space called Skylab. It was occasionally visited by astronauts. From 1973 to 1979 NASA operated a station in space called Skylab. It was occasionally visited by astronauts. From 1986 to 2001 the USSR operated a space station named Mir. From 1986 to 2001 the USSR operated a space station named Mir. Currently in orbit, several nations are operating the International Space Station. Currently in orbit, several nations are operating the International Space Station.

There is a controversy over whether it is better to explore the solar system with manned or robotic probes. There is a controversy over whether it is better to explore the solar system with manned or robotic probes.

The cost of building and sending two rovers to Mars and operating the for the last 7 years had been about $1 billion. The cost of building and sending two rovers to Mars and operating the for the last 7 years had been about $1 billion. The cost of a manned mission to Mars is though to be at least $170 billion. The cost of a manned mission to Mars is though to be at least $170 billion.

Is it better to concentrate on robotic exploration or manned exploration? Is it better to concentrate on robotic exploration or manned exploration? Is there some advantages of having humans on deep space missions that are worth the extra money? Is there some advantages of having humans on deep space missions that are worth the extra money?

A series of American unmanned space probes were sent to the moon in the early 1960’s. A series of American unmanned space probes were sent to the moon in the early 1960’s. Their photographs were used to help decide the location of the Apollo 11 manned landing. Their photographs were used to help decide the location of the Apollo 11 manned landing.

Russian probe was the first to land on another planet in Russian probe was the first to land on another planet in Operated on surface for 23 minutes on Venus before the heat shut it down. Operated on surface for 23 minutes on Venus before the heat shut it down.

Twin Voyager probes were sent to explore Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in Twin Voyager probes were sent to explore Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in The primary mission was over in 1989, but the probes will continue to report data back to Earth until The primary mission was over in 1989, but the probes will continue to report data back to Earth until 2020.

Each Voyager probe carries a “Golden Record” sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth. Each Voyager probe carries a “Golden Record” sounds and images selected to portray the diversity of life and culture on Earth.

Two robotic rovers were launched in 2003 to land and explore Mars. Two robotic rovers were launched in 2003 to land and explore Mars. They were designed to last at least 90 days. They were designed to last at least 90 days. They are still in operation 7 years later. They are still in operation 7 years later.

Carried into the space of a shuttle in 1990 it is perhaps the most successful probe ever. Carried into the space of a shuttle in 1990 it is perhaps the most successful probe ever. Because the telescope operates outside of Earth atmosphere it can take exceptionally clear pictures. Because the telescope operates outside of Earth atmosphere it can take exceptionally clear pictures.

Terrestrial Planet Finder Terrestrial Planet Finder

In the distant future a space elevator might connect Earth with a geosynchronous space station. In the distant future a space elevator might connect Earth with a geosynchronous space station. Lower cost. Lower cost. Safer Safer

We will be walking across to the Physics building in the Science Complex. We will be walking across to the Physics building in the Science Complex.