Unit 2 Lesson 4 How Does Technology Help Us Learn About Space?

Early Astronomers Early astronomers were limited to observing space with just their eyes. They believed Earth was the center of the universe.

Early Astronomers In the 1600s, the telescope was invented. A telescope is a tool that uses lenses to make faraway objects appear closer and larger. Galileo was one of the first astronomers to study space using a telescope. He observed four of Jupiter’s moons!

Early Astronomers With his telescope, Galileo was able to prove the sun is the center of the universe. The telescope is how man first observed the surface of the moon.

Early Astronomers Because of Galileo, five new planets were discovered using the telescope.

Humans on the Moon In the 1950s, computers were invented. This created the chance to begin figuring out how to better study space.

Humans on the Moon In 1957, Russia sent the satellite Sputnik 1 into space. This caused the United States to become very active in space exploration!

Humans on the Moon In 1961, President John F. Kennedy challenged NASA to be first (before Russia had the chance) in putting a man on the moon.

Humans on the Moon In 1969, NASA accomplished this goal!

Humans on the Moon Actually, NASA landed space craft on the moon six times during the late 1960s and 1970s. These missions were named the “Apollo Missions.”

Humans on the Moon Both the United States and Russia became active in launching space probes. Space probes are vehicles that move through space but are controlled by computers on Earth. The probes take pictures from space and send them back to Earth.

Mars Venus Humans on the Moon Space probes are how people from Earth can have very close encounters with another planet without having to send a human there. Mars Venus

Technology in Space The space shuttle was invented to * carry astronauts back and forth from Earth to space * Bring supplies to the International Space Station

Technology in Space Astronauts study space from the space shuttles and the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is a giant space lab that orbits Earth. It uses solar power for energy.

Technology in Space In fact, ALL space probes have large “wings” that are actually covered with solar cells. This is how they can fly and not lose power!

Technology in Space The Hubble Space Telescope orbits Earth and takes pictures. Space probes visit nearby planets and send pictures back to Earth. They also fly past planets and send pictures back.

Technology in Space Pictures from Hubble:

Florida’s Role In Space The Space Age began in Florida in the early 1960s at Cape Canaveral.

Florida’s Role In Space Florida’s fair weather makes it a great place to launch rockets. In 1963, the space center was renamed to become the Kennedy Space Center.

Florida’s Role In Space Thousands of people work at the Kennedy Space Center today. It is also a major tourist attraction for Florida. This means MILLIONS of dollars get brought into Florida’s economy every year.

Florida’s Role In Space Florida colleges and universities have also received benefits from the Kennedy Space Center. Because NASA is in Florida, our colleges began offering space research programs. These programs bring in students, which means money is brought into these colleges.

Space Technology In Every Home Today Much of the technology we use today was first designed specifically for the space program. Examples: freeze-dried food, cordless power tools, nonstick surfaces, ice chests, thermoses, fire-resistant fabrics, smoke detectors, heat sensors and even the rubber soles with traction on tennis shoes and sneakers.

Space Technology In Every Home Today Firefighters use infrared cameras today. These special cameras identify hotspots in a fire, which helps them know what started a fire and where it started. Smoke detectors are in homes because the space rockets needed them in case a fire broke out during lift off.