Embedded Files
Mission
Mission
This mission is designed for you to practice and challenge your space exploration knowledge. Be sure to state your names and task outcomes in your Astronaut Log Book (or Interactive Notebook). Enjoy and good luck!
Task #1
Task #1
Space investigation tools have come a loooong way! Skim (briefly read) the Space Tools book.
1) What were the patterns that people saw in the sky long ago?
2) What tool splits light into color and why is this useful?
3) Other than light, what else do telescopes use to investigate space?
4) What is a lander?
supercool_space_tools_single_pages.pdfTask #2
Task #2
The international space station orbits Earth every 92 minutes! Other satellites also rely on Earth's gravitational pull to keep them in orbit. Practice putting cannonballs into orbit yourself!
5) How many bags of gunpowder are needed and why do you need that amount (no more and no less)?
Task #3
Task #3
Astronomers use telescopes to "see" objects in outer space. Refraction telescopes use lenses to "see" and reflection telescopes use mirrors to "see".
6) Which types of telescope is better and why?
Task #5
Task #5
One of the most famous telescopes is the Hubble Space Telescope. Hubble orbits Earth every 96 minutes and is even more effective than its Earthly counterparts because it is outside of Earth's atmosphere.
7) Watch a video about Hubble and tell me what the video was about.
8) List three of Hubble's fascinating discoveries.
Task #6
Task #6
Visible light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
9) What other types of radiation do telescopes use other than visible light?
10) What is the Webb telescope and what is so special about it?
11) What will the Webb telescope be looking at?
Task #7
Task #7
Sometimes telescopes just are not enough. Did you know that there are astronauts living in space 24/7? Well there are! They are living on the International Space Station where they service NASA equipment and perform experiments. See if you have what it takes to work on the ISS. Don' spend too much time on this task though because there is still much more mission to complete.
Harder than it looks, huh? Not only is an astronaut's job difficult, but simple tasks like brushing your teeth can also be a challenge in space.
12) List 3 ways that day to day life in space is different than life on Earth.
Task #8
Task #8
Sometimes it is just easier to keep our feet on the ground and rely on satellites to send us information.
13) What is the GOES-R satellite?
14) What kinds of information is the GOES-R satellite going to collect?
Now, play the game and see if you can keep up with the great deal of information that the GOES-R satellite collects. Don't forget to read the directions! also, don't spend too much time here because the next game is even more fun!
Task #9
Task #9
To have spacecrafts and satellites, there must be powerful antennas on Earth to receive the data that the spacecrafts transmit.
15) Briefly explain how the DSNs uplink with the many NASA spacecrafts that are out exploring the solar system.
16) Why do we need three DSN antennas?
You have been working hard. Now see if you have what it takes to operate the antennas and uplink with the Deep Space Satellites. Don't forget to read the instructions.
Task #10
Task #10
Geeze, there sure is a lot of stuff floating around in space. All of the "stuff" leftover from the different space programs is called "space junk". I wonder what happens to all of the broken stuff. Even worse, I wonder if it could hit Earth.
17) Tell me in your own words what the NASA Orbital Debris Program Office does.
NASA Orbital Debris Program Office
18) But really, what are the odds that one of us will be hit with space junk?
19) Has someone ever reportedly been hit with space junk?
20) The UARS reentered Earth's atmosphere and hit sometime this past September. Did the satellite ever orbit over North America?
Task #11
Task #11
Sit back, relax and watch a few minutes of NASA television.
21) What was the show about? List at least one thing that you learned.
Task #12
Task #12
Whew! No wonder the space program costs a lot! Take a look at their budget. Man, I wish I had a budget like that . . . Look over the charts. Yes, I know they are a little confusing.
22) From what you can tell, overall does the country and the average American really spend that much on the space program?
23) In what year did the United States give the most funding to NASA? Why did they give so much at this time?
24) How much more did the government give to education in 1999?
25) In your opinion, do you think that what NASA does is worth the cost? Why or why not?
The End
The End
You made it! Make sure that you have answered every question and your names are on your paper. Turn in you paper and then go back to you favorite game/video and enjoy!
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