SpaceAn Introduction

Space Exploration

Space Exploration: is the use of astronomy and space technology to explore outer space. Physical exploration of space is conducted both by

human spaceflights and by robotic spacecraft. Astronomy, or the observation of objects in space set

the stage for exploration, it was the development of large liquid-fueled rocket engines during the early 20th century however, that allowed physical space exploration to become a reality.

Rationale for Space Exploration

• Common rationales for exploring space include:

advancing scientific research

Uniting the world

ensuring the future survival of humanity

developing military and strategic advantages against other countries.

Historical Background 1st space advances were made by German

scientists during WWII while testing the V2 rocket After the war, the Allies used German scientists &

research to continue space research Early exploration was driven by a “space

race” between the USSR & the U.S. in the Cold War

Space Race Cold War

Tension between the U.S. & Soviet Union Each country wanted to prove their dominance in

anything & everything… including space This led to competition between the two countries

in space which became known as the Space Race A dangerous technological gap between the U.S.

& USSR

Space Race

Soviet Union U.S. Launch Sputnik Oct. 4, 1957

1st man-made object to orbit Earth

Soviet 1st’s (led early) 1st living being in orbit

1957 1st human space flight

(Yuri Gagarin aboard Vostok 1) 1961

1st spacewalk (Aleksei Leonov) 1965

1st automatic landing on another celestial body in 1966

1st space station (Salyut 1) in 1971

1st scientific exploration from space = cosmic radiation experiment on a V2 rocket 5-10-1946

1st images of Earth taken from space followed the same year

1st animal experiment saw fruit flies lifted into space in 1947

1st moon landing by Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969

Sputnik 1

Yuri Gagarin – April 12, 1961 Russia

The spacecraft completed one orbit around the globe, lasting about 1 hour and 48 minutes. Gagarin's flight resonated around the world; it was a demonstration of the advanced Soviet space program & it opened an entirely new era in space exploration: human spaceflight

Alan Shepard

The U.S. first launched a person into space with Shepard’s suborbital flight.

John Glenn

Orbital flight was achieved by the U.S. when John Glenn orbited the Earth on February 20, 1962.

Buzz Aldrin & Neil Armstrong

1st men on the moon.

NASA

U.S. agency responsible for the nation's public space program

Established by the National Aeronautics & Space Act in 1958 A year after the Soviet’s launched Sputnik

NASA has led U.S. efforts for space exploration ever since, resulting in the Apollo missions to the Moon, the Skylab space station, and later the Space Shuttle

Pros/Cons of Space Travel?

Varying Viewpoints Regarding Space Exploration The Pros International

cooperation Biological research

benefits entire human race

Human achievement Future colonization

and tourism

The Cons Too costly Environmental waste

(space junk) Problems on Earth

need to be fixed first Too dangerous

Should These Programs Continue? NASA's 2007 budget was $16.25 billion. Let's put this

amount in perspective:

The department of defense budget in 2007 was $609 billion.

The department of homeland security 2007 budget was $652 billion.

The national budget in 2007 was $2,784 billion. The amount of this budget spent on NASA was 0.58%.

A B-2 stealth bomber costs taxpayers $2.2 billion.

The New Horizons mission to explore the dwarf planet Pluto will cost $650 million.

Task Force Questions

Political Issues: 1. Who do you think

owns space? 2. Who should

determine what goes on in space? Why?

Finance/Cultural: 3. Is it right to spend tax

dollars on space? Why/why not?

4. Do we have the right to alter materials in space to meet our needs? Explain.

Environmental Issues: 5. Who do you think should be

responsible for protecting space environments from alteration by humans? Why?

6. Who is responsible for cleaning up space junk? Why?

Safety Issues: 7. Who should be responsible

for injuries caused to astronauts? Why?

8. Should safety of astronauts (as well as people on Earth) be a primary concern in space exploration? Why?