Task #1
Space investigation tools have come a long 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?
Here is the link where you will find your answers: Supercool
Space Tools
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)?
Here is the link where you will find your answer: Orbit
Game
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?
Here is the link where you will find your answers: How
Telescopes "See"
Task #4
Visible light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum.
7) What other types of radiation do telescopes use other than
visible light?
Here is the link where you will find your answers: How do
telescopes work?
8) What is the Webb telescope and what is so special about it?
9) What will the Webb telescope be looking at?
Here is the link where you will find your answers: JWST
Task #5
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.
Here is the link to the space station activity: Station Spacewalk
Game
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.
10) List 3 ways that day to day life in space is different than life
on Earth.
Here is the link where you will find your answers: Living
in
Space
Task #6
To have spacecrafts and satellites, there must be powerful antennas
on Earth to receive the data that the spacecrafts transmit.
11) Briefly explain how the DSNs uplink with the many NASA
spacecrafts that are out exploring the
solar system.
12) Why do we need three DSN antennas?
Here is the link where you will find your answers: Link Up and
Listen!
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 #7
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.
13) Tell me in your own words what the NASA Orbital Debris
Program Office does.
Here is the link where you will find your answer: NASA Orbital
Debris Program Office
14) But really, what are the odds that one of us will be hit with
space junk?
15) Has someone ever reportedly been hit with space junk?
Here is the link where you will find your answers: Space Junk
Explained
Task #8
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.
16) From what you can tell, overall does the country and the
average American really spend that
much on the space
program?
17) In what year did the United States give the most funding to
NASA? Why did they give so much
at this time?
18) How much more did the government give to education in
1999?
19) In your opinion, do you think that what NASA does is worth
the cost? Why or why not?
Here is the link where you will find your answers: NASA Budget
up to 1999
Your final question.... 20) would you want to be an astronaut? why
or why not?
You made it! Make sure that you have answered every question-You
can either turn in the answers to me on paper, or share your google
document. Feel free to explore your favorite site or game from this
adventure-you've earned it!