Space and Technology

1. Space and Technology Chapter 6 Lesson 3 Page 225

2. How does Technology help people live in Space? • Conditions in space are very different than they are on Earth • In space there is near vacuum, extreme temperatures, and microgravity • To help people live in space, engineers have created technology that provide air and insulation as well as the ability to work in microgravity

3. Vacuum • Space has no air • Vacuum- a place that is empty of all matter • Except for a few stray atoms and molecule, space is pretty much empty, it is just space • No air so spacecraft must be air tight • No air means nothing to hold the sun’s heat, so in direct sunlight really hot, in shade really cold- space shuttle must be insulated

4. Microgravity • Read page 225 • Microgravity- weightlessness (similar to floating in a pool) • Mass remains the same, but their weight would register zero • Earth’s gravity still has an affect on them and keeps them in orbit • They had to create device that can be used in microgravity

5. How has Space Technology Benefited People • Space program has led to many benefits • The space program has developed new technologies that help scientists work and new consumer products that people can use • Technology is essential for scientists doing their research, and helped them learn more about remote locations

6. Data Collection and Storage • Space Probes collect data • Space probes send back thousands of pages of data • Large computers collect the data allowing scientists to analyze large amounts of information

7. Sample Collection • Astronauts and space probes have collected many soil and atmosphere samples • Some technology was developed to get soil samples on Earth (meteorite that hit Earth)

8. Computation • Space science requires complicated calculations • Such as figuring out the correct time to launch a rocket for it to reach the correct destination • Launch Window • Computer help scientists calculate this window

9. Measurements • Measurements are vital in space science • Telescopes and lasers are used to take measurements • Read Measurements on page 224 to see how lasers are used

10. Communication of Information • Space Probes use radio signals to send information back to Earth • Once information is received back on Earth, scientists want to share it with others around the world, so they developed the National Space Science Data Center Web Site • This a an archive of space mission data any one can use!

11. Space Spinoffs • Scientists in the space program have developed thousands of new technologies to use in space. • Many of the ideas have also proved useful for right here on Earth • Space Spinoff- an item that has uses on Earth but was originally developed for use in space • They are modified for easier use on Earth

12. Space Spinoffs • Check out page 228-229 for many space spinoffs!!!

13. Uses of Orbiting Satellites • Satellites are used for communications and for collecting weather data and other scientific data • Observation satellites are used for many purposes, including tracking weather systems, mapping Earth’s surface, and observing changes in Earth’s environment

14. Uses of Satellites Orbiting Earth • Satellites orbits are chosen based on the job they are to perform • Geostationary orbit- satellites that orbit Earth at the same rate Earth rotates and thus stays over the same place over Earth’s equator all of the time