Human Space Exploration
Telescopes Purpose is to gather light to form an image The image can be recorded by cameras Light from cities is a problem (light pollution) Often put on mountain tops to reduce light pollution A few telescopes have been put into space to completely avoid light pollution
Rockets Apollo program in the USA Soyuz in USSR/Russia Rockets are used to propel satellites or people into space
Soyuz
Space Shuttle Three components: –A pair of solid booster rockets –External fuel tank –Reusable winged spaceplane (shuttle) Designed for orbital space travel
International Space Station Joint project between USA, Canada, Russia, Japan and Europe Began construction in 1998 As of July 2008 it was 78% complete Used for scientific research
Moon Base? There are plans to make a permanent base on the moon NASA hopes to return to the moon by the year 2020 The moon base will eventually serve as a launch toward human landings on Mars
Future Space Shuttle NASA is looking to replace the aging space shuttles by 2010 Replacement should be ready in 2015
Space Tourism? Competition a few years ago set out to get a completely reusable space craft Bought by Sir Richard Branson (of Virgin Empire) Virgin Galactic aims to have tourists in space Cost is $200,000 for a 5 minute trip in low Earth orbit Compared to $20,000,000 for a trip to the space station
Science Fiction! For now. Space hotel: