space exploration

Knowledge you need to have:

• Basic awareness of our current understanding of the universe. 

• Awareness of the benefits of satellites: GPS, weather forecasting, communications, scientific discovery and space exploration (for example Hubble telescope, ISS). 

• Knowledge that geostationary satellites have a period of 24 hours and orbit at an altitude of 36 000 km. 

• Knowledge that the period of a satellite in a high altitude orbit is greater than the period of a satellite in a lower altitude orbit. 

• Awareness of the challenges of space travel: 

  • travelling large distances with the possible solution of attaining high velocity by using ion drive (producing a small unbalanced force over an extended period of time) 

  • travelling large distances using a ‘catapult’ from a fast moving asteroid, moon or planet 

  • manoeuvring a spacecraft in a zero friction environment, possibly to dock with the ISS 

  • maintaining sufficient energy to operate life support systems in a spacecraft, with the possible solution of using solar cells with area that varies with distance from the Sun 

• Awareness of the risks associated with manned space exploration: 

  • fuel load on take-off 

  • potential exposure to radiation 

  • pressure differential 

  • re-entry through an atmosphere 

• Knowledge of Newton’s second and third laws and their application to space travel, rocket launch and landing. 

Skills you need to develop:

Class Material: