Space Exploration

What is out there?

Mankind has always looked up at the moon and stars and

wondered about life in the universe.

“The first of these factors is the compelling urge of man to

explore and to discover, the thrust of curiosity that leads men to
try to go where no one has gone before. Most of the surface of
the earth has now been explored and men now turn on the
exploration of outer space as their next objective.” – Introduction
to Outer Space, pamphlet produced in an effort to garner
support for a national space program in the wake of the Sputnik
flight.
 What allows us to explore space?
A combination of characteristics of our solar system
and human accommodations.

Characteristics of our solar system

• Gravity
– Slingshot effect
• Atmosphere
• Distances
Human accommodations
• Protective suits
– Pressure
– Temperature
– Effects of microgravity
– Air systems
• Food supply
• Waste management
 Why can’t we breathe in space?
Earth’s atmosphere has pressure that allows
water to exist in liquid form, protects us against
harmful radiation from the sun, and allows us to
breathe due to nitrogen/oxygen content.
Since space is essentially a vacuum, there is no air
at all. The density of oxygen in space is so
miniscule that oxygen can be barely detected
even with our most sensitive detectors. Due to
this, astronauts are equipped with air systems
when they leave their spacecraft.
• Distance of Earth from Sun: ~93,000,000 miles
• Distance of Moon from Earth: ~239,000 miles

The universe is so large that our units of measurement

are too small to measure it.
• Because of this, we define astronomical unit (AU) as
the distance between the Earth and the Sun.
• 1 AU = ~93,000,000 miles
• Light years are also a measure of distance, most often
used to express distances to stars.
• 1 light year = ~63,000 AU
• Nearest star is about 4.25 light years from Earth.
 Manned exploration is possible due to
satellites and probes.
Before man was sent to space, satellites and
probes were launched into space to collect
information such as temperature, radiation,
objects in space, pictures, gravity fields, and
atmospheric density.
Probes also expose material from the earth to the
conditions of space, allowing scientists to observe
the effects of space on that material.
 Probes escape the gravitational pull of
planets by the slingshot effect.
Voyager 1 is the farthest probe from Earth, at a distance of ~125
AU as of July 2013.
• The slingshot effect acts as a gravitational assist by using energy
from gravitational fields of planets or moons to change the
speed or shape of a spacecraft’s orbit.
• Passing by planets can result in
the spacecraft being accelerated,
without firing any thrusters to
save fuel during missions.

Voyager 1 & 2 Trajectories

 What allows us to remain in orbit
around Earth?
Just as gravity allows the moon to orbit around Earth, a
spacecraft takes advantage of this same phenomenon to
stay in orbit around the Earth.
In space, the effects of gravity are greatly reduced. NASA
calls this condition microgravity.
 What are space shuttles?
A space shuttle is a reusable spacecraft. A
space shuttle carries a crew and equipment
into space, returns to Earth, and then is
reused for the same purpose. Most shuttle
missions last an average of nine days.
 What are space stations?
• The International Space Station (ISS) is a joint effort
between multiple agencies consisting of US, Russia,
Japan, Canada, Brazil, and Europe.
• A space station allows long-term observations and
experiments to be carried out in space. Space
shuttles are used to take people and supplies from
Earth to the space station. Most astronauts stay on
the space station for four to six months.
 How do shuttles leave the ground?
The Space Shuttle consists of 3 main
components; the Orbiter, a large External Tank,
and two Solid Rocket Boosters.
The External Tank contains a little over 500,000
gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, which
is used as fuel. With the aid of the Solid Rocket
Boosters, the External Tank pushes the shuttle off of
the Earth and into low Earth orbit. Low Earth orbit
is anywhere from 99 to 1,200 miles above Earth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=OnoNITE-CLc
 Mission control plays critical role in
keeping astronauts safe and helping them
complete tasks during spacewalks.
America’s human space program is managed by a facility in the
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
• Teams of experienced engineers and technicians monitor
systems and activities aboard spacecraft 24 hours a day during
missions from long before lift-off and during touchdown.
– Teams are in charge of tracking the spacecraft, calculating maneuvers,
telling astronauts what time to burn, telling astronauts what to do and
where to go, etc.
 What is an astronaut?

A person trained to be part of a spacecraft crew.

 What are space walks?
An activity in which an astronaut moves around
and does work outside of the spacecraft while in
space.
Spacewalks are also referred to as
extravehicular activity (EVA).
 Why do astronauts go on spacewalks?

• Astronauts can do science experiments on a spacewalk.

Experiments can be placed on the outside of the spacecraft.
This lets scientists learn how being in space affects different
things.

• Spacewalks also let astronauts test new equipment. They can

repair satellites or spacecraft that are in space. By going on
spacewalks, astronauts can fix things instead of bringing them
back to Earth to get fixed.
 Space suits protect astronauts during space
walks.
Outer space is an extremely hostile place.
Without a suit, you face the following hazards:
• Become unconscious due to lack of oxygen.
• Blood and bodily fluids could boil and then freeze due to lack
of pressure.
• Tissues would expand due to boiling fluids.
• Extreme changes in temperature.
• Exposure to various types of radiation.
• Hit by meteoroids or orbiting debris.

Space Suits
 What are space suits?
A complex system of garments that allow astronauts
to work safely outside their spacecraft by:
• Regulate pressure, temperature, and the effects of
microgravity
• Maintain oxygen through air systems
• Protect from meteoroids, debris, and radiation
• Allow sight and easy mobility
• Keep communication with space shuttle
• Suits look inflated because they are
pressurized to keep the fluids in an
astronauts’ body in a liquid state.
Space suits operate below the normal
atmospheric pressure.

• Suits provide a pure oxygen atmosphere

for breathing because the low pressure
would cause dangerously low oxygen
concentrations in the lungs and blood if
normal air is used.

• In the confined space of the suit, carbon

dioxide concentrations would build up to
deadly levels. Therefore, space suits
contain special canisters to remove
carbon dioxide.
• Temperature of the space suit is regulated
by heavy insulation with layers of multiple
fabric in conjunction with reflective outer
layers to reflect sunlight. Heat produced
from an astronaut’s body can be dangerous
if it is not removed. Excess heat is removed
by using water-cooled garments.
• Communication with ground controllers and
other astronauts is maintained by radio
transmitters/receivers.
• Astronauts are protected from collisions with
micrometeoroids due to multiple layers of durable fabrics
such as Kevlar.
• Astronauts are protected from radiation by reflective coatings
built into the suits. However, suits are not protection against a
solar flare and, thus, spacewalks are planned during periods
of low solar activity.
• Helmets are made of clear, durable plastic that can reflect sunlight.
Tinted visors are also used to reduce glare. Prior to a spacewalk, the
inside faceplates of the helmet are sprayed with an anti-fog
chemical. Helmets also have mounted lights and cameras.
• Space suits are equipped with special joints for easy mobility.
Micrometeoroid

Impact!
 There are many types of spacesuits
that have been used in the past by
astronauts.
Let’s look at America’s Extravehicular Mobility
Unit (EMU) currently in use.
 Modern EMU

13 layers of material
including an inner
cooling garment,
pressure garment,
thermal
micrometeoroid
garment, and outer
cover.
Modern EMU

Multiple
parts work
together to
protect the
astronaut
from the
hazards of
space.
 Special systems aid
astronauts in spacewalk.
The Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), a astronaut
propulsion unit, was used in 1984 to retrieve faulty
communications satellites.
• Fits over life-support system backpack.
• Astronaut used fingertips to manipulate
hand controllers at the ends of the MMU’s
two arms.
• Deemed as too risky for further use.
 MMU’s successor

The Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (SAFER) is a small

propulsive backpack system intended for emergency
use only.
• Means of self rescue should an
astronaut become untethered
during a spacewalk.
• Worn by every crew member
using an EMU.
 Multiple robotic systems aid
astronauts in maintaining space craft.
The Mobile Servicing System (MSS) also known as the Canadarm2
is a robotic system equipped on the ISS.
• Launched to the ISS in 2001 is a robotic ‘arm’ that can be used
to grasp and manipulate objects in space.
• It played a key role in space station assembly and maintenance.
• Can move equipment and supplies around and support
astronauts working in space.
 Food
• Need to ensure that there is plenty of food.
• Some foods can be eaten in their natural form,
while others require adding water.
• A supplementary food supply pantry exists.
• Additional pantry items can be flown to the
astronauts incase the flight is unexpectedly
extended.
 Early Space Food
• Early space food consisted of bite-sized cubes, freeze-
dried powders, and semi-liquids packaged in aluminum
tubes.
• This early space food was unappetizing and most
astronauts disliked squeezing the tubes.
• Freeze-dried foods were hard to rehydrate and crumbs
had to be prevented from fouling up instruments.
 Current Space Food
• Astronauts sample a variety of foods and
beverages months before launch.
• Astronauts can choose individual meal plans.
• Most of the food astronauts eat can be
commercially found on grocery store shelves.
• Nutritionists ensure the food contain a
balanced supply of vitamins and minerals.
• Astronauts eat three meals a day plus snacks.
• Salt and pepper are available but only in
liquid form.
• Types of food available include rehydratable,
thermostabilized, irradiated, and natural food
items.
 Beverages
• Come in powdered form.
• Include coffee, tea, apple cider, orange juice,
and lemonade.
• Add a straw after adding water to drink the
beverage or…
 Food Packaging and Storage
• Space food comes in packages that must be disposed in a trash
compactor after finished eating.
• Food packaging is designed to be flexible and easy to use to
minimize space when storing or disposing.
• Foil is used to a longer product shelf life.
• Velcro on the bottom of food packaging attaches to the meal tray.
• All food is precooked or processed so it requires no refrigeration
except for any fresh fruit or vegetables.
• Meals are stowed in lockers with food packages arranged in the
order they will be used.
 Proper nutrition plays a critical role in
space exploration.
The nutrients astronauts need in space are the same ones we
need but in on Earth, but in different amounts.
• Sodium and vitamin D influence bone density.

• Sodium (Na) is limited because too much can

lead to bone loss.

• Astronauts have limited sunlight exposure

since the spacecraft is shielded to protect
astronauts from harmful radiation. Since the
body is not able to make vitamin D without
sunlight, vitamin D supplements are taken to
maintain healthy bones.
Proper nutrition plays a critical role in
space exploration.
The nutrients astronauts need in space are the same ones we
need but in on Earth, but in different amounts.
• Less iron (Fe)!
– Astronauts have fewer red blood cells while
in space.
– Red blood cells use iron to help carry
oxygen throughout the body.
– Since the astronauts have less red blood
cells, the amount of iron we need on Earth
would be too much in space.
– Extra iron could build up and cause health
problems like liver disease or arthritis.
Why is exercise important in space?
If astronauts don’t exercise, their bodies start losing
bone and muscle. Bone and muscle loss mean decreased
size and strength.
This would reduce an astronaut’s ability to do work
because it makes them weak.
Two and a half hours each day are devoted to fitness.
The weightless environment in space crafts
become challenging for waste management.
• The collection and retention of liquid and solid waste is
directed by the use of air flow.
• Solid waste is dried, sealed in a bag, and stored
onboard in a trash compactor until landing.
• Liquid waste is released into space or recycled through
a special water treatment plant and turned back into
drinking water.
 Animals in Space
• To test the survivability of spaceflight
animals were sent to space before humans.
• These experiments proved that living
passengers could survive being launched Laika, a Soviet space dog,
into orbit and endure weightlessness. was the first animal in space
aboard Sputnik 2 in 1957.
• These animals were space pathfinders for
the mutual benefit of man and animals,
paving the way for human spaceflight.

Miss Baker, a squirrel

monkey was one of the
first animals launched
into the space to be
recovered alive. Laika’s monument
in Moscow.