Section 2 space

• Modes of Space Transport

  • Space shuttles
  • Ion drives
  • Solar sails
  • Space probes
  • Space stations
• Microgravity


  When gravitational forces are greatly reduced
• Satellites


  • GPS
  • Satellites
• Sputnik


  Russian Satellite, 1957, first country to launch an artificial satellite successfully
• Alouette I


  Canada's first Satellite, launched 1962, 3rd nation in the world to launch a satellite
• Archytas in 400BCE created a steam powered flying Pigeon
• Parts of a Rocket


  • Tube/body part
  • Combustible material - solid/liquid fuel
  • Payload - what the rocket is carrying
• Rockets rely on the fundamental law of physics - for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
• Shuttles


  • Used for Earth orbit
  • Transport personnel and equipment to orbiting spacecraft
  • Orbiter houses the crew
  • External tank holds the fuel
  • Rocket boosters provide additional lift during initial part of flight
• Ion drive


  Engines using Xenon gas instead of chemical fuels, the gas is ionized and electrically charged to propel the spacecraft
• Solar sail


  Uses the sun's light (electromagnetic energy) to propel the spacecraft, similar to a boat sail "Sailing on sunlight"
• International Space Station (ISS)

  • A lab containing living space, working and research compartments for long periods of time
  • Contributed to and worked on by 15 other countries including Russia, USA, and European countries
• Challenges of living in space

  • Weakened muscles
  • Reduced depth perception
  • Brittle bones
  • Weakened heart muscles
• Electrolysis


  The process of splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity
• Natural satellite


  Smaller natural body orbiting a larger body, e.g. the moon
• Artificial satellite


  Objects built and sent into space by humans that orbit the Earth
• Functions of satellites


  • Weather observation
  • Tracking
  • Communication
  • Imaging
  • Transmitting information
  • Providing wifi, cell service, radio
• Satellite orbits


  • Geosynchronous orbit
  • Low Earth orbit
• GPS


  Global Positioning System, a satellite-based system that requires a minimum of 3 satellites above your location at any given time to function