Science 9: Unit E: Science 9: Unit E: Space ExplorationSpace Exploration

Topic 8 – People in Space Topic 8 – People in Space

The History of Space The History of Space ExplorationExploration1957-19801957-1980

► The space age was launched in 1957 with the The space age was launched in 1957 with the launching of Sputnik by the Soviets. Four years launching of Sputnik by the Soviets. Four years later Yuri Gagarin became the first human to later Yuri Gagarin became the first human to enter space.enter space.

►Over the next ten years the Americans and Over the next ten years the Americans and Soviets entered in a period of serious Soviets entered in a period of serious competition as part of the cold war. The Soviets competition as part of the cold war. The Soviets relied on their Soyuz spacecraft while the relied on their Soyuz spacecraft while the Americans created their Apollo space program. Americans created their Apollo space program. In 1969, Americans ‘won’ the space race when In 1969, Americans ‘won’ the space race when Apollo 11 landed and Neil Armstrong became Apollo 11 landed and Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon.the first human to walk on the Moon.

The History of Space The History of Space ExplorationExploration

1980-Present1980-Present► In the 1980’s NASA created the Space Shuttle, In the 1980’s NASA created the Space Shuttle,

the first spacecraft that could be used over the first spacecraft that could be used over and over again on multiple space flights. and over again on multiple space flights. Unfortunately two of the four space shuttles Unfortunately two of the four space shuttles have already disintegrated in space flight: The have already disintegrated in space flight: The Challenger in 1986, and the Columbia in 2004.Challenger in 1986, and the Columbia in 2004.

► Canada’s contribution to the American space Canada’s contribution to the American space program has been in two main areas: the program has been in two main areas: the Canadarm which acts as a giant lever, and Canadarm which acts as a giant lever, and scientist astronauts: Marc Garneau 1984, and scientist astronauts: Marc Garneau 1984, and Roberta Bondar in 1992.Roberta Bondar in 1992.

The International Space The International Space StationStation► The current focus of space The current focus of space

programs across the world is programs across the world is the International Space the International Space Station (ISS), the largest ever Station (ISS), the largest ever space station built. The focus space station built. The focus of the ISS program is for the of the ISS program is for the ISS to act as a giant space ISS to act as a giant space laboratory where laboratory where experiments will be carried experiments will be carried out in space with decreased out in space with decreased effects of gravity (called effects of gravity (called microgravity). microgravity).

► The ISS has been criticized by The ISS has been criticized by many astronomers as a many astronomers as a waste of money (billions of waste of money (billions of $). We can create $). We can create microgravity conditions here microgravity conditions here on Earth or in a plane for on Earth or in a plane for much cheaper. Many of these much cheaper. Many of these scientists believe we should scientists believe we should invest our money in other invest our money in other projects.projects.

The History of Space The History of Space ExplorationExploration

The Future 2015-2050The Future 2015-2050► In 2005, George Bush declared that In 2005, George Bush declared that

NASA will shift its focus from the ISS to NASA will shift its focus from the ISS to sending humans back to the Moon and sending humans back to the Moon and building a Moon base. The end goal is building a Moon base. The end goal is to have humans land on Mars within to have humans land on Mars within your lifetime.your lifetime.

Hazards of SpaceflightHazards of Spaceflight►Cosmonauts and astronauts have to face Cosmonauts and astronauts have to face

risks that we don’t worry about here on risks that we don’t worry about here on Earth: frigid temperatures, cancer-causing Earth: frigid temperatures, cancer-causing solar radiation, the effects of microgravity solar radiation, the effects of microgravity (muscle and bone deterioration), and the (muscle and bone deterioration), and the constant risk of spacecraft disintegration. constant risk of spacecraft disintegration. It is the job of the NASA engineers to It is the job of the NASA engineers to recreate the protective features of the recreate the protective features of the Earth’s magnetic sphere, ozone layer, and Earth’s magnetic sphere, ozone layer, and greenhouse effect.greenhouse effect.