Podcast
Questions and Answers
The Hubble Space Telescope was launched on December 25, 1990.
The Hubble Space Telescope was launched on December 25, 1990.
False
The International Space Station has been operational since November 2, 1998.
The International Space Station has been operational since November 2, 1998.
False
The James Webb Space Telescope is located at the third Lagrange point (L3).
The James Webb Space Telescope is located at the third Lagrange point (L3).
False
Mars Science Laboratory's Curiosity rover landed on Mars using a 'sky crane' landing concept.
Mars Science Laboratory's Curiosity rover landed on Mars using a 'sky crane' landing concept.
Signup and view all the answers
The total costs of the Hubble Space Telescope project amount to approximately $5 billion.
The total costs of the Hubble Space Telescope project amount to approximately $5 billion.
Signup and view all the answers
The Perseverance rover utilized the same landing method as Curiosity on Mars.
The Perseverance rover utilized the same landing method as Curiosity on Mars.
Signup and view all the answers
The James Webb Space Telescope faced 344 single-point failures during its development.
The James Webb Space Telescope faced 344 single-point failures during its development.
Signup and view all the answers
The orbit altitude of the International Space Station is approximately 547 km.
The orbit altitude of the International Space Station is approximately 547 km.
Signup and view all the answers
Delfi-C3 is a CubeSat developed by TU Delft and was launched in 1998.
Delfi-C3 is a CubeSat developed by TU Delft and was launched in 1998.
Signup and view all the answers
The first liquid propellant rocket was launched between 1920 and 1940.
The first liquid propellant rocket was launched between 1920 and 1940.
Signup and view all the answers
Nicolas Copernicus proposed the geocentric Solar System in 1543.
Nicolas Copernicus proposed the geocentric Solar System in 1543.
Signup and view all the answers
The Envisat solar panel was developed by ADS and has a power specification of 6.55 kW.
The Envisat solar panel was developed by ADS and has a power specification of 6.55 kW.
Signup and view all the answers
The first men on the Moon were Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.
The first men on the Moon were Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.
Signup and view all the answers
Konstantin Tsiolkovsky published his theoretical study on rocket propulsion in 1901.
Konstantin Tsiolkovsky published his theoretical study on rocket propulsion in 1901.
Signup and view all the answers
Orbital velocity depends on the spacecraft's mass and the radius of orbit.
Orbital velocity depends on the spacecraft's mass and the radius of orbit.
Signup and view all the answers
The Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1986.
The Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1986.
Signup and view all the answers
When an astronaut swings a hammer, they experience an equal and opposite reaction force.
When an astronaut swings a hammer, they experience an equal and opposite reaction force.
Signup and view all the answers
An object inside the ISS, if untouched, will eventually come to a stop due to gravitational forces.
An object inside the ISS, if untouched, will eventually come to a stop due to gravitational forces.
Signup and view all the answers
Wernher von Braun developed the first operational short-range missile between 1940 and 1945.
Wernher von Braun developed the first operational short-range missile between 1940 and 1945.
Signup and view all the answers
In microgravity, heavy objects become significantly lighter and easier to move.
In microgravity, heavy objects become significantly lighter and easier to move.
Signup and view all the answers
Docking a Space Shuttle with the ISS is complicated due to their differing orbital velocities.
Docking a Space Shuttle with the ISS is complicated due to their differing orbital velocities.
Signup and view all the answers
Green propellants are part of the EU's initiative focusing on environmentally friendly propellants.
Green propellants are part of the EU's initiative focusing on environmentally friendly propellants.
Signup and view all the answers
The ISS and Gateway are examples of private space stations.
The ISS and Gateway are examples of private space stations.
Signup and view all the answers
In space, convection can occur due to the presence of air and gravity.
In space, convection can occur due to the presence of air and gravity.
Signup and view all the answers
Robotic missions in space exhibit increased autonomy and capability.
Robotic missions in space exhibit increased autonomy and capability.
Signup and view all the answers
The temperature in deep space is around 287 K.
The temperature in deep space is around 287 K.
Signup and view all the answers
A satellite can maintain its orbit by balancing gravitational and centripetal forces.
A satellite can maintain its orbit by balancing gravitational and centripetal forces.
Signup and view all the answers
Payloads for space missions can only be launched via high-end vehicles.
Payloads for space missions can only be launched via high-end vehicles.
Signup and view all the answers
The orbital velocity of a spacecraft is independent of its mass.
The orbital velocity of a spacecraft is independent of its mass.
Signup and view all the answers
SpaceX's Falcon 9 is known for its focus on reusable rocket stages.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 is known for its focus on reusable rocket stages.
Signup and view all the answers
Blue Origin's New Shepard was designed for orbital flights.
Blue Origin's New Shepard was designed for orbital flights.
Signup and view all the answers
NASA's Space Launch System is the only bigger launcher currently in development.
NASA's Space Launch System is the only bigger launcher currently in development.
Signup and view all the answers
The concept of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) involves using local resources like water for sustainable missions.
The concept of In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) involves using local resources like water for sustainable missions.
Signup and view all the answers
Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo achieved its test flight with a crew of ten passengers.
Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo achieved its test flight with a crew of ten passengers.
Signup and view all the answers
Cubesats are small satellites measuring between 1U-12U in size.
Cubesats are small satellites measuring between 1U-12U in size.
Signup and view all the answers
Current private companies engaged in space exploration include Northrop Grumman and Boeing.
Current private companies engaged in space exploration include Northrop Grumman and Boeing.
Signup and view all the answers
Solar sailing is a method of propulsion that utilizes chemical reactions for space travel.
Solar sailing is a method of propulsion that utilizes chemical reactions for space travel.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Hubble Space Telescope
- Launch Date: April 24, 1990
- Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31)
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO) approximately 547 km altitude
- Instruments: Wide Field Camera, Advanced Camera for Surveys, Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph
- Key Discoveries: Expanding universe, detailed images of distant galaxies, star formation, dark matter studies
- Cost: Approximately $1.5 billion at launch, with total costs over time around $10 billion
- Involved Parties: NASA, ESA
International Space Station (ISS)
- Launch and Assembly: First module launched in 1998
- Operational Since: November 2, 2000
- Orbit: LEO (approximately 408 km altitude)
- Partners: NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, CSA
- Crew: Typically 6-7 astronauts
- Modules: Zarya (first module), Unity, Destiny, Columbus, Kibo
- Research: Microgravity research, Earth observation, space medicine, technology development
- Lifespan: Expected to operate until at least 2030
James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)
- Orbit: Located at the second Lagrange point (L2), about 1.5 million km from Earth
- Launch Date: December 25, 2021
- Launch Vehicle: Ariane 5
- Mission Type: Optical and infrared astronomy
- Cost: $9.7 billion (NASA) + $1 billion (ESA + Canada)
- Challenges: 344 single-point failures, "14 days of terror"
- Development Timeline: Originally planned for launch in 2007, faced numerous delays and budget overruns before successful launch in 2021
Mars Exploration
- Scientific Goals: Studying the formation of stars and planets, the history of galaxies, the characteristics of exoplanets, and the origins of the universe
- Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity): Surface exploration of Mars
- Mars Science Laboratory (Curiosity):
- Launched: November 26, 2011
- Landed: August 6, 2012
- "Sky crane" landing concept
- 7 minutes of terror during Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) due to automation, high velocity, thin atmosphere, large heat shield, pyrotechnics, parachute, and rocket descent
- Perseverance used a similar sky crane landing system
- Challenges: Getting to space, staying, and returning. Affordability, efficiency, harsh environment, technology development, innovation, remote operation, automation, and managing finances
Enabling Technologies
- Miniaturization, digital computers, radio & radar technology, lightweight structures, heat-resistant materials, turbines, liquid-propellant rockets, gyroscopes, solar cells, heat engines, and life support systems
Timeline of Important People & Theories
- 1543: Nicolas Copernicus proposes heliocentric Solar System
- 1571-1630: Johannes Kepler solves celestial mechanics mysteries
- 1642-1727: Isaac Newton defines physical principles of force, motion, and gravity
- 1865: Jules Verne describes a virtual trip to the Moon
- 1903: Konstantin Tsiolkovsky publishes theoretical study on rocket propulsion
- 1920s: Hermann Oberth pioneers theoretical fundamentals of spaceflight
- 1925: Walter Hohmann analyzes interplanetary flight
Timeline of Important Rocket Events
- 1920-1940: Robert Goddard (USA) and Sergej Korolev (USSR) launch first liquid-propellant rockets
- 1940-1945: Wernher von Braun develops first operational short-range missile (A4/V2)
- 1950-1960: Soviet Union and USA develop IRBMs and ICBMs
Timeline of Important Spaceflight Events
- 1957: Launch of Sputnik I
- 1958: Launch of Explorer I
- 1959: Luna 2 makes hard landing on Moon
- 1961: First manned orbital flight by Yuri Gagarin (Vostok I), first US sub-orbital flight by Alan Shepard
- 1962: First US manned orbital flight by John Glenn (Mercury), Mariner II to Venus.
- 1965: First EVA by Aleksej Leonov (Voskhod 2)
- 1967: First launch of Saturn V rocket
- 1968: First European scientific satellite (ESRO II)
- 1969: First men on Moon (Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin)
- 1974: First Dutch satellite (ANS)
- 1976: First soft landing on Mars by Viking 1/2
- 1977: Voyager 2 launches to Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune
- 1979: First successful flight of European Ariane launcher
- 1981: First flight of Space Shuttle
- 1986: First launch of Mir, the permanent Russian space station.
- 1990: Launch of Hubble Space Telescope.
- 1998: Launch of the first International Space Station module (Zarya).
- 2000+: Voyager 1 and 2 enter interstellar space, still active.
Space Vacuum (> 100km)
- Environment: No air (no lift or drag), no atmosphere for breathing or oxygen for propulsion. Outgassing and lubrication issues. Aggressive environment (e.g., atomic oxygen erodes plastics)
- Convection: Not possible due to lack of air and gravity.
- Radiation: Space exposed to radiation internally and from the environment.
- Temperature Variations: Earth surface ~287 K (14°C), Near Earth -270°C to +120°C, Deep space 4 K.
- Solar Flux: Earth surface: 400-600 W/m², Space: 1367 W/m².
- Harmful radiation (UV, X-rays) can damage electronics and tissue.
- High-Energy Particles: Protons, electrons, Van Allen belts, solar flares.
- Weightlessness: Objects are in continuous free fall due to gravitational forces.
- Satellite Motion: A satellite stays in orbit by balancing gravitational and centripetal forces.
Questions
- Moving objects in space
- Robot arm exerting torque, Space Shuttle Orbiter used Canadarm
- Payloads taken to orbit with various launch vehicles (low-end like Pegasus, high-end like Saturn V)
- Orbital velocity
- Not dependent on spacecraft's mass, depends on central body's mass and radius of orbit
- Hammer and nail, torque
- Newton's third law applies, equal and opposite forces
- Reaction torque, causes rotation
- Object motion inside ISS
- Continues in its current state of motion (inertia)
- Stationary or moving in a straight line at constant velocity
- Moving heavy objects near ISS
- Easy because objects are weightless, only inertia resists movement
- Docking large spacecraft
- Possible because both are in microgravity and move at the same orbital velocity
Characteristic Numbers
- Payload mass: 3,000 – 130,000 kg (large aircraft: 70,000 kg)
- Launch mass: 18,500 – 3,000,000 kg (large aircraft: 250,000 kg)
- Minimal orbital velocity: 7.8 km/s (28,000 km/h) (aircraft: 300–3,000 km/h)
- Minimal orbital height: 250 km (aircraft: 1–20 km)
- Typical satellite lifetime: 3–15 years (aircraft: 25 years)
Commercial Spaceflight ("New Space")
- Primary focus on spaceflight cost reduction
- Private funding
- Key Players: SpaceX, Northrop Grumman, Boeing
- Reusable rockets: SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Blue Origin's New Shepard
- Space Tourism: Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, SpaceX
Manned Missions to Moon and Mars
- NASA/ESA Gateway: Moon and Mars mission support with new space stations.
- Private competition from SpaceX and others
- International competition from USA, China, India
- Larger rockets: NASA's Space Launch System, SpaceX's Falcon Heavy, Starship, China's Long March 5
- In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU): local resource usage (H2O, H2, & O2) for sustainable missions
New Propulsion & Space Technologies
- Low-Thrust Propulsion: Used in interplanetary missions & electric geostationary satellites (Boeing)
- Solar Sailing: New form of propulsion for long-distance missions
- Green Propellants: EU's REACH initiative focusing on environmentally friendly propellants
- Space Stations: ISS, Tiangong (China), Gateway (Moon/station), private ones
- Robotic Missions: Increased autonomy and capability in robotic space missions
- Data Rates & Laser Links: Improved communication through higher data rates and laser technology
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on the Hubble Space Telescope, the International Space Station, and the James Webb Space Telescope. This quiz covers launch dates, operational details, and significant scientific discoveries. Perfect for space enthusiasts and students alike!
