Unit 5: Lesson 2 Accommodations for Space Obstacles to space travel & Effects on Humans

TEKS: 7.9B Identify the accommodations, considering the characteristics of the solar system that enable manned space exploration.

Transportation: Space shuttles are reusable space crafts that are used to take manned missions to space. Accommodations are made to ensure the safety of human passengers during launch, flight, and landing. Models are used to estimate distance, travel time, and fuel costs. Experiments are run in space, and the shuttle can be used to deploy satellites. Astronauts use full scale mock ups to test emergency procedures, master in-flight procedures, and guarantee a successfully safe mission.

Leaving Earth: The space shuttle requires an enormous amount of fuel to break through Earth's gravitational pull The shuttle must curve its path on the way up to escape velocity otherwise it would fall back to Earth after the fuel runs out. Space travel may use the slingshot effect which accelerates space travel by assistance from the gravity of an object in space.

Microgravity on the Human Body: Space travel causes an almost weightless effect on humans called microgravity. The shuttle is held in orbit by gravity as it is being pulled toward the Earth. Since weight is measured by the pull of gravity on a mass and mass is the amount of matter in a substance, astronauts have less weight due to less gravity. They will also lose some muscle mass because they do not need to use them due to the lesser amount of gravity in space. If muscles are not used, they will lose mass.

Hostile Environment: Living in space is challenging! Temperatures, radiation, and air pressure reach extreme levels. Too much solar radiation can kill humans if they do not have protection from the radiation. Space suits are personal vehicles to help meet the astronauts’ needs. Providing clean air supply, water supply, temperature control, and a way to dispose of wastes must also be addressed. Insulation and cooling tubes help the body to regulate temperatures Canisters provide oxygen and store carbon dioxide

Nutrition: Food must be transported to space with the astronauts. Food must be stored properly and non-perishable due to lack of refrigeration. Some foods are dehydrated to remove water weight and sealed prevent bacterial growth. Seasonings come in liquid form to prevent small particles from floating away. Food is prepared differently and may taste different. Astronauts often request hot sauce and spice to improve the flavor of their food. Package waste must be stored for disposal. Nutritionists ensure astronauts follow specific diets to get all their needs.

Waste Management: Human waste management in space is quite fascinating. Trash waste is stored for disposal is ejected and burned up by the atmosphere on return Gas wastes of carbon dioxide must be monitored and excess gas vented from the shuttle. The toilets flush with air instead of water. The airflow pulls the waste away from the body, and then flushes it into the storage tanks. Liquid waste will eventually evaporate once it’s dumped overboard. Solid waste is deposited into a container, dried out, and then taken back to earth for disposal.

Living and Working in Space: Space is huge and the distances between objects are very great. It is generally cold and dark. Human sense to time and speed are not accurate and living in a small crowded area can lead to depression. Microgravity will also cause water to form a ball rather than a water drop shape or any other shape water can take. This can cause problems showering, perspiring, and drinking. Sleeping bags are strapped to the walls, and astronauts must secure themselves within them. The rhythmic beating of the heart will cause the head to bob, so the head must be restrained.

Water Supply: Reclaiming water is a complex process. On the space shuttle water is stored; however, on the space station it must be recycled. All water must be considered and regulated, even water levels in the air. Water must be filtered and sterilized to make it safe to drink. Scientists regularly monitor water quality multiple times a day to ensure safety.

Temperature Control: Without the protection of the earth’s atmosphere, the temperatures for space travelers range from +250 degrees to -250 degrees. Temperatures of the shuttle, space station, and astronauts must be regulated in space. Temperature is controlled by passive measures – insulation, thermal coatings, heaters and heat pipes -- and by an active thermal control system. Insulation allows for heat to be trapped while excess heat is removed by liquid cooling systems.