Spaced Out
Students are introduced to the space environment, learning about the major differences between the environment on Earth and that of outer space (atmosphere, radiation, microgravity)— and the engineering challenges that arise because of these differences. To prepare students for the upcoming lessons on the human body, they are challenged to think about how their bodies would change and adapt in the unique environment of space.
Figure 1. The International Space Station.Copyright NASA Glen Research Office http://space-ower.grc.nasa.gov/ppo/projects/iss/img/iss.jpg
Aerospace engineers study the space environment in order to ensure the health and safety of both astronauts and people on Earth. By studying this environment, engineers are able to design vehicles such as the space shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) which keep astronauts safe from the harsh elements of space for long periods of time. For example, engineers designed special tiles to provide protection from temperature extremes, constructed special exercise equipment to keep astronauts in shape, and even invented a pen that could write in the absence of gravity. In addition to keeping astronauts safe during spaceflight, understanding radiation can help diagnose and hopefully prevent cancer, cataracts and other detrimental effects to people on Earth.
After this lesson, students should be able to:
- Describe the major differences between the environment of Earth and outer space.
- Describe some of the engineering challenges associated with spaceflight.
- Explain how the human body changes and adapts to its surrounding environment.