Space
An Introduction
Space Exploration
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Space Exploration: is the use of astronomy and space
technology to explore outer space.
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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
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Common rationales for exploring space include:
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advancing scientific research
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Uniting the world
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ensuring the future survival of humanity
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developing military and strategic advantages against other
countries.
Historical Background
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1st space advances were made by German scientists
during WWII while testing the V2 rocket
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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
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Cold War
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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
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A dangerous technological gap between the U.S. & USSR
Space Race
Soviet Union
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Launch Sputnik Oct. 4, 1957
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U.S.
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1st scientific exploration from space =
cosmic radiation experiment on a V2
rocket 5-10-1946
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1st images of Earth taken from space
followed the same year
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1st animal experiment saw fruit flies
lifted into space in 1947
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1st moon landing by Apollo 11 on
July 20, 1969
1st man-made object to orbit
Earth
Soviet 1st’s (led early)
 1st
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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
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
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U.S. agency responsible for the nation's public space
program
Established by the National Aeronautics & Space Act in
1958
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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
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The Pros
International cooperation
Biological research
benefits entire human race
Human achievement
Future colonization and
tourism
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The Cons
Too costly
Environmental waste
(space junk)
Problems on Earth need
to be fixed first
Too dangerous
Should These Programs Continue?
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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
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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.
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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?