The challenges of space travel

Learning goals revisited I will be able to identify the risks associated with space travel!

1. Getting into space … Rocket speeds of 11.2 km/s or 40 320 km/h to escape Earth’s gravity Acceleration speeds must be carefully calculated based on weight to avoid damage to ship Altitude of 242 km above earth Velocity of about 27 400 km/h to stay in orbit

fuel Almost all fuel used during launch Once in orbit, fuel is only used for short spurts to alter course Solar is new option

2. Living in anti-gravity Things in space in continuous free fall so things inside them have a feeling of weightlessness Microgravity environment Everything must be secured

Health effects Things in our body require gravity to assist in their function Blood pools in the upper body – puffy face Muscle atrophy – bird legs They must exercise at least 2 hrs a day to prevent muscle loss Bone loss up to 2% per month Radiation from the sun – space vehicles must have special protective shields

3. Water and food Water Food Every drop is recycled Astronauts use special soap and shampoo Food Need creative ways to have enough and not take up space Low maintenance

Hygiene Shampoo Bathroom Sleeping Nail clippers

International space station Launched in 1998 50 shuttle launches and 150 space walks to complete Can be seen with unaided eye as bright star across night sky 200 people from 15 countries have visited

iss

ISS

Space junk video

Learning goals revisited I will be able to identify the risks associated with space travel!