PPT SPS CH 2 The Space Environment PDF

The Space Environment Chapter 2 SPS Space Probes and Satellites AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING LEARNING OBJECTIVE To EXPLORE the vastness of Space. To LIST major hazards of the space environment an...

The Space Environment Chapter 2 SPS Space Probes and Satellites AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING LEARNING OBJECTIVE To EXPLORE the vastness of Space. To LIST major hazards of the space environment and their effect on spacecraft To learn HOW to live in Space. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE The Space Environment│ DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING 2 COURSE CONTENTS Cosmic Perspective The Space Environment Living and Working in and Spacecraft Space AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 3  Cosmic Perspective SPS Space Probes and Satellites AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING  Space Space is a place where things happen such as spacecraft orbiting Earth, planets orbiting the Sun, and the Sun revolving around the center of our galaxy. If space is a place, where is it? AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 5  Space Space begins at the altitude where an object in orbit will remain in orbit briefly (only a day or two in some cases) before the wispy air molecules in the upper atmosphere drag it back to Earth. This occurs above an altitude of about 130 km (81 mi.). To put it simply Space pretty much begins at the vicinity of the Thermosphere. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 6 The Kármán Line The Kármán line, at an altitude of 100 kilometers (328 084 feet), represents the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space. It is defined based on the altitude at which aerodynamic flight becomes impossible, and orbital mechanics take over. This line serves as an important benchmark in space exploration, aviation, and international space law. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 7  The Solar System At the center of the solar system is the star closest to Earth—the Sun. The Sun has the biggest effect on the space environment. As stars go, our Sun is quite ordinary. It’s just one small, yellow star out of billions in the galaxy. Fueled by nuclear fusion, it combines 600 million tons of hydrogen each second. Specifically , the two by-products of the fusion process are: Electromagnetic radiation Charged particles AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 8 The Sun Nuclear fusion in the Sun releases energy according to Albert Einstein’s: E = mc2. This energy sustains life on Earth through heat, photosynthesis, climate and weather control. Most of this energy is in the form of electromagnetic radiation, including light and heat. Electromagnetic radiation transfers energy through waves, with the Sun’s energy radiating in all directions. These waves are classified by their wavelength (λ), or the distance between wave crests. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 9 The Sun The other fusion by-product is charged particles. Atoms are made up of protons, electrons, and neutrons. During nuclear fusion in the Sun, intense heat (over 1,000,000°C) breaks atoms into their basic charged particles, forming a hot plasma of free protons and electrons. These charged particles, driven by the Sun's magnetic field, shoot into space at high speeds, creating what’s called the solar wind. Occasionally, the Sun releases massive bursts of particles, known as solar flares. These flares can extend all the way to Earth's orbit, though they are rare and usually miss us. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 10  The Cosmos Space is incredibly vast. Our galaxy, the Milky Way, contains over 300 billion stars, and distances are so immense that regular units like kilometers or miles become meaningless. Instead, we use light years—1 light year is the distance light travels in a year, about 9.46×1012 km trillion km (5.88 trillion miles). The Milky Way is about 100,000 light years across, and our solar system is located roughly 25,000 light years from the center, revolving around it every 240 million years (a "cosmic year"). The closest star to us, Proxima Centauri, is 4.22 light years away, while the nearest galaxy, Andromeda, is 2 million light years away. Beyond that are billions of other galaxies, forming the vast structure of the universe. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 11 Stellar Distances Stellar distances refer to the distance between individual stars within a galaxy. These distances are typically on the order of a few light years to a few thousand light years. Light years are the most common unit for measuring stellar distances because light can travel enormous distances over time. For nearby stars, astronomers may also use astronomical units (AU) (the distance between the Earth and the Sun, about 150 million km) or parsecs (3.26 light years). AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 12 Stellar Distances Example # 1: The distance between the Sun and Proxima Centauri (the nearest star to Earth, excluding the Sun) is about 4.22 light years. Example # 2: Betelgeuse, a red supergiant in the Orion constellation, is roughly 642.5 light years from Earth. Example # 3: The Pleiades star cluster is about 444 light years away from Earth. Measuring stellar distances is complex due to the vast space involved. Methods like parallax (measuring the apparent shift of a star against background stars as Earth moves around the Sun) are used for stars up to about 1,600 light years away. For farther stars, astronomers use methods like standard candles (such as Cepheid variable stars) to estimate distance based on luminosity. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 13 Galactic Distances Galactic distances refer to the space between entire galaxies or between galaxy clusters. These distances are much larger, typically measured in millions to billions of light years. Light years and megaparsecs (1 megaparsec = 3.26 million light years) are commonly used. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 14 Galactic Distances Example # 1: The distance between our Milky Way and the Andromeda Galaxy (the closest major galaxy to us) is about 2.5 million light years. Example # 2: The Virgo Cluster, a collection of around 2,000 galaxies, is roughly 53 million light years from Earth. Example # 3: The Hercules-Corona Borealis Great Wall, one of the largest structures in the universe, is a supercluster of galaxies about 10 billion light years long. Measuring galactic distances requires more advanced techniques, like redshift, which involves observing the stretching of light from distant galaxies as they move away from us due to the expansion of the universe. The greater the redshift, the farther the galaxy is from Earth. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 15  Let us watch this video: https://youtu.be/pSHVbLPWA28?si=u4 4wMQNvPHyl3K1F AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 16  The Space Environment and Spacecraft SPS Space Probes and Satellites AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING  Space To build spacecraft that will survive the harsh space environment, we must first understand what hazards they may face. Earth, the Sun, and the cosmos combined offer unique challenges to spacecraft designers namely: 1.) The gravitational environment causes some physiological and fluid containment problems but also provides opportunities for manufacturing. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 18  Space 2.) Earth’s atmosphere affects a spacecraft, even in orbit. 3.) The vacuum in space above the atmosphere gives spacecraft another challenge. 4.) Natural and man-made objects in space pose collision hazards. 5.) Radiation and charged particles from the Sun and the rest of the universe can severely damage unprotected spacecraft. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 19  Factors Affecting Spacecraft in the Space Environment AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 20 Gravity When astronauts float around in the Space Shuttle, they are not experiencing "zero gravity." Instead, they are in a state of "free fall." Gravity is still present in space; for instance, at an altitude of 300 km in low- Earth orbit, gravity is still 91% of what it is on Earth's surface. Astronauts appear to float because both they and their spacecraft are falling towards Earth at the same rate. This state of free fall makes it seem like there is no gravity, like how you feel weightless when jumping off a diving board or skydiving before your parachute opens. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 21 Gravity On Earth, gravity pulls you down, but a chair or floor pushes you up, so you feel your weight. In space, nothing is pushing up against you because everything is falling together. Spacecraft remain in orbit around Earth because they travel horizontally fast enough that, as they fall towards Earth, they keep missing it. Beyond Earth, other celestial bodies like the Moon and Sun exert gravitational forces as well. For spacecraft in Earth orbit, these effects are minimal, but for interplanetary missions, the Sun’s gravity is significant. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 22 Gravity Gravity influences the trajectory and behavior of spacecraft. Launch vehicles must overcome Earth's gravity to reach space, and once in orbit, gravity affects how much fuel is needed for maneuvering. Astrodynamics is the field that studies these gravitational effects on spacecraft and planetary motion. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 23 Gravity The free-fall environment of space allows for unique opportunities, such as mixing materials that don’t mix on Earth, which can lead to advancements in materials and medicine. However, handling fluids in space can be challenging. In free fall, fluids do not settle or stay in place as they do on Earth, making measurement and manipulation more complex. Despite these challenges, they are relatively minor compared to the significant physiological effects of long-term exposure to free fall. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 24 How to Counter Gravity? Orbital Velocity Propulsion Systems Attitude Control Gravitational Assist Spacecraft Design AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 25 Atmosphere In low-Earth orbit (below about 600 km or 375 miles), Earth's atmosphere, though very thin, still affects spacecraft. This effect is called "drag," which slows the spacecraft down over time and shortens its orbital lifespan. Think of drag like the resistance you feel when you stick your hand out of a moving car window. For spacecraft, drag slows them down, which can eventually pull them back into Earth’s atmosphere, where they can burn up. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 26 Atmosphere Atmospheric pressure is the force the air exerts on us, and density is how much air is packed into a space. As you go higher into the atmosphere, both pressure and density decrease. This means there’s less air to create drag as you go higher, but even thin atmosphere can still affect spacecraft in low-Earth orbit. Above 600 km, the atmosphere is so thin that drag is minimal, so spacecraft in these orbits are less affected by atmospheric drag. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 27 Atmosphere At these high altitudes, the atmosphere contains atomic oxygen (O), which is different from the usual oxygen molecules (O₂) we breathe. Atomic oxygen can react aggressively with spacecraft materials, causing them to degrade faster. This "rusting" effect is much worse with atomic oxygen compared to regular oxygen molecules. For example, spacecraft parts can weaken or lose their effectiveness due to this reaction. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 28 Atmosphere At high altitudes, oxygen molecules can split into individual atoms due to radiation. These atomic oxygen atoms react more aggressively with materials than regular oxygen molecules, leading to faster degradation of spacecraft surfaces. Some atomic oxygen combines to form ozone (O₃), which helps protect Earth by blocking harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 29 How to Counter Atmospheric Challenges? Drag Management Atomic Oxygen Protection Thermal Control Ground-Based Testing Mission Planning AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 30  Vacuum In the space environment, spacecraft must operate under conditions vastly different from Earth, where the atmosphere provides pressure, temperature regulation, and a medium for heat transfer. In accordance to vacuum, there are three major factors arise in space that affect spacecraft performance namely: Out-gassing—release of gasses from spacecraft materials Cold welding—fusing together of metal components Heat transfer—limited to radiation AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 31 Vacuum In space, the lack of atmospheric pressure allows gases trapped in spacecraft materials, especially composites like graphite/epoxy, to escape. This phenomenon is called out-gassing. These gases, trapped during the manufacturing process, are harmless under Earth’s atmosphere but can cause significant problems in space. For instance, gases released in a vacuum can condense on sensitive instruments like camera lenses, obstructing their function. Additionally, out-gassing can cause electrical arcing, potentially damaging spacecraft electronics. To mitigate this risk, spacecraft are “baked” in thermal-vacuum chambers before launch to release any gases that may pose problems. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 32 Vacuum Spacecraft mechanical parts can face cold welding in the vacuum of space. On Earth, a thin layer of air between two metal surfaces allows them to move freely. However, in space, this tiny air gap is eliminated, causing metal parts that are in close contact to bond or "weld" together. This presents a serious challenge for spacecraft with moving parts like gears or spinning wheels used for controlling attitude. Engineers use techniques like differential heating—exposing one part to sunlight and another to shade—to expand and contract the metals, potentially breaking the bond. Furthermore, special lubricants, such as dry graphite, are used to prevent cold welding, as traditional oil lubricants could evaporate in space. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 33 Vacuum Heat transfer is also drastically affected in space because of the vacuum. On Earth, heat is transferred through conduction (direct contact) and convection (movement of fluid or gas). However, both conduction and convection require a medium, which is absent in the vacuum of space. Therefore, the only method left to manage heat is radiation. Heat from spacecraft components must be radiated away into space, which involves the use of specialized materials and designs like heat radiators to ensure the spacecraft doesn’t overheat. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 34  Vacuum Space is often referred to as a “hard” vacuum because it’s nearly devoid of particles. Even at an altitude of 960 km (596 mi), where the particle density is extremely low compared to sea level (trillions of times lower), there are still about 1,000,000 particles per cubic centimeter. Though not a complete vacuum, the lack of particles impacts spacecraft design in terms of thermal regulation, pressure management, and material selection. The vacuum environment also means there’s no atmospheric drag or air resistance, which is beneficial for spacecraft propulsion but requires careful thermal and mechanical management. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 35 Vacuum In space, traditional lubricants like oils or greases cannot be used due to the vacuum. These materials would evaporate or outgas, losing their effectiveness. Instead, dry lubricants like graphite are used because they provide lubrication without evaporating in the vacuum. This is essential for ensuring that moving parts in spacecraft remain functional over long missions, particularly when cold welding or mechanical failure might otherwise occur. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 36 How to Counter Vacuum Challenges? Out-Gassing Mitigation Cold Welding Prevention Heat Transfer Management Pressure Management Moving Parts Reduction AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 37 Micrometeoroids and Space Junk The space around Earth, while it may seem empty, contains many debris, often referred to as space junk. This includes natural materials like dust, meteoroids, and asteroids, which hit Earth regularly. However, since the start of human space exploration, we’ve also added to this debris with broken spacecraft, discarded boosters, and even smaller items like tools lost by astronauts. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 38 Micrometeoroids and Space Junk Natural debris: This includes meteoroids and dust particles. Although the risk of a spacecraft or astronaut being hit by a meteoroid is low, it still exists. Human-made debris: Objects left by human space missions, such as fragments of spacecraft, pose a growing threat. There are approximately 2,200 tons of human- made debris in orbit, with some of the most famous incidents involving collisions between spacecraft and space junk, like the 1996 CERISE satellite collision with a piece of an Ariane rocket. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 39 Micrometeoroids and Space Junk The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks over 8,000 large objects in Earth's orbit. However, smaller objects, like 40,000 golf-ball-sized pieces and potentially billions of tiny fragments, remain untracked. These small objects, while seemingly harmless, can be incredibly dangerous because of their high speeds in low-Earth orbit (around 7,000 m/s). Such collisions are frequent, with spacecraft often being hit by tiny debris. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 40 Micrometeoroids and Space Junk Although the risk of hitting large debris (baseball- sized or bigger) is low, the chance of hitting smaller particles, like those around 1 mm in size, is much higher—about 1 in 1,000 per year for spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO). These small objects pose a significant threat due to their high velocity. The most dangerous possibility is the collision of two spacecraft in orbit, which would create a large cloud of fast-moving debris. This debris cloud could cause more collisions, leading to a domino effect that could render a particular orbital zone unusable for decades. This has led to increasing concern about debris accumulation in certain altitudes. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 41 How to Counter Micrometeoroids and Space Junk? Protective Shielding Collision Avoidance Maneuvers Toughened Windows Redundancy in Critical Systems Debris Removal Technologies AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 42 Radiation Environment In space, spacecraft and astronauts are exposed to the full spectrum of the Sun’s electromagnetic (EM) radiation, which includes not only visible light and heat but also harmful X-rays and gamma rays. Visible light and infrared radiation from the Sun heat spacecraft surfaces. While this heat can help maintain operational temperatures for electronic components, it can also cause overheating, making precise thermal control systems necessary to regulate the spacecraft’s temperature. The balance is crucial, as electronics need to operate near room temperature (around 20°C or 68°F). AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 43 Radiation Environment Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can degrade materials and coatings on the spacecraft over time, weakening structural integrity and reducing the efficiency of solar panels. Hardening or shielding is often used to protect sensitive electronics from these harmful rays. Solar cells are susceptible to degradation from UV exposure, which reduces their power-generating capacity. Solar flares, intense bursts of radiation, can interfere with spacecraft communication systems, especially in the radio spectrum. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 44 Radiation Environment Photons, tiny packets of energy emitted by the Sun, exert a small but constant pressure on spacecraft, known as solar pressure. Though this force is minimal over time it can disturb the spacecraft’s orientation or trajectory. This is especially important for spacecraft in long-term missions, as the cumulative effect of solar pressure can impact their stability. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 45 How to Counter the Radiation Environment Physical Shielding Radiation-Hardened Electronics Material and Coating Selection Solar Storm Monitoring Distance and Exposure Time AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 46 Charged Particles The space environment is filled with dangerous charged particles that can affect spacecraft. These particles come from three main sources: the solar wind, galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), and Van Allen radiation belts. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 47 Charged Particles The solar wind is a continuous stream of charged particles (protons and electrons) emitted by the Sun. Solar flares can significantly increase the number of particles, posing a risk to spacecraft as they bombard it with high-energy particles. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 48 Radiation Environment The point of contact between the solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field is the shock front or bow shock. As the solar wind bends around Earth’s magnetic field, it stretches out the field lines along with it AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 49 Charged Particles Galactic Cosmic Rays are high-energy particles from outside our solar system, originating from events like supernovae or the remnants of the Big Bang. They are more energetic and massive than solar particles, making them particularly dangerous. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 50 Charged Particles Van Allen Radiation Belts are regions of trapped charged particles within Earth's magnetic field. Earth's magnetosphere deflects some particles from the solar wind, but many become concentrated in these belts, posing a hazard to spacecraft that pass through or orbit near them. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 51 Charged Particles These areas of concentration are named after Professor James Van Allen of the University of Iowa. Professor Van Allen discovered them based on data collected by Explorer 1, America’s first satellite, launched in 1958. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 52 Charged Particles As spacecraft move through areas with concentrated charged particles, they can build up an electric charge on different parts of their surfaces. This buildup can discharge suddenly, damaging electronics, solar panels, or surface coatings, potentially leading to power loss or system failures. Spacecraft charging results when charges build up on different parts of a spacecraft as it moves through concentrated areas of charged particles. Once this charge builds up, discharge can occur with disastrous effects—damage to surface coatings, degrading of solar panels, loss of power, or switching off or permanently damaging electronics. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 53 Charged Particles Sputtering is when high-energy particles bombard the spacecraft's surface, gradually wearing it down, much like sandblasting. This process can degrade sensitive components like thermal coatings and sensors, reducing their efficiency over time. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 54 Charged Particles Sometimes a single high-energy particle can penetrate deep into the spacecraft's electronics, causing malfunctions. A common form of this is a single-event upset (SEU), where a particle flips a bit in the spacecraft’s memory, altering its operation, like turning off an important function or misaligning the spacecraft. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 55 How to Counter the Charged Particles? Radiation Shielding Magnetic Shields Electrostatic Shields Charge Dissipation Radiation Storm Shelters AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 56  Living and Working in Space SPS Space Probes and Satellites AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING  Adapting From Earth to Space Humans and other living things on Earth have evolved to deal with Earth’s unique environment. We have a strong backbone, along with muscle and connective tissue, to support ourselves against the pull of gravity. On Earth, the ozone layer and the magnetosphere protect us from radiation and charged particles. When we leave Earth to travel into space, however, we must learn to adapt in an entirely different environment. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 58  Free Fall In space, what we often call "zero gravity" is actually a free-fall environment where objects, including astronauts, are in continuous motion due to Earth's gravitational pull. Although this condition can be useful for certain engineering processes, it poses multiple health risks to astronauts, affecting their physiological systems in the following ways: Fluid Shift Motion Sickness Reduced Load on Weight-Bearing Tissues AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 59 Fluid Shift The hydrostatic gradient refers to the way fluids are distributed in the body under the influence of gravity. On Earth, gravity pulls blood and other fluids downward, causing higher pressure in the legs than in the upper body. In space, this fluid redistributes evenly, no longer pooling in the legs. This shift causes Fluid Redistribution, Kidney Overload and Increased Urination, and Orthostatic Intolerance. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 60 Fluid Shift Fluid Redistribution: Each leg can lose up to a liter of fluid, leading to a reduction in the overall blood volume in the lower body. In contrast, fluid accumulates in the head and upper body, causing facial edema, where astronauts appear puffier and red- faced. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 61 Fluid Shift Kidney Overload and Increased Urination: The body interprets the increased upper-body fluid as excess and prompts the kidneys to eliminate it. This results in a reduction in total body fluid, including plasma, by up to 20%. As a result, red blood cell production also decreases, contributing to the overall stress on the cardiovascular system. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 62 Fluid Shift Orthostatic Intolerance: Upon returning to Earth, astronauts may experience orthostatic intolerance, a condition where the body struggles to regulate blood pressure properly when standing up, leading to dizziness or even blackouts. This happens because the body has adapted to the fluid distribution in space and must recalibrate to Earth's gravity. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 63 Fluid Shift The fluid shift in space also causes noticeable facial edema—a red, puffy appearance in astronauts' faces. This is due to the increased pressure in the upper body as fluids redistribute in the absence of gravity. While the swelling itself isn’t harmful, it can be uncomfortable, and the sensation of a “stuffy” head is common. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 64 Motion Sickness The vestibular system in the inner ear helps us maintain balance and orientation. It works in conjunction with visual input, allowing us to move without losing balance. On Earth, this system is tuned to 1G of gravity. In a free-fall environment, the calibration is thrown off, leading to space motion sickness. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 65 Motion Sickness Astronauts often report disorientation during the first few days in space as their vestibular system adjusts. This is because the signals from the inner ear and the eyes do not match up, a phenomenon like motion sickness experienced on roller coasters or when riding in the back seat of a car. Over time, the body adjusts, and astronauts begin to recalibrate to the new environment. Experienced astronauts note that this adaptation period becomes shorter with each mission. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 66 Reduced Load on Weight-Bearing Tissues In a free-fall environment, the body’s muscles and bones no longer bear the usual loads they would under gravity. This leads to Muscle Atrophy and Bone Degeneration. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 67 Reduced Load on Weight-Bearing Tissues Muscle Atrophy: Without the need to support the body, muscles lose mass and strength. This includes the heart, which also weakens because it doesn't need to work as hard to pump blood against gravity. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 68 Reduced Load on Weight-Bearing Tissues Bone Degeneration: Bone density decreases as bones lose calcium. This condition resembles osteoporosis on Earth but progresses more rapidly. Over long durations in space, astronauts could experience bone fragility, which poses a serious risk when returning to a higher- gravity environment. Bone marrow, which produces red blood cells, is also affected, further reducing the body’s ability to maintain adequate red blood cell levels. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 69 How to Counter these Bodily Challenges? Exercise Artificial Gravity AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 70  Radiation and Charged Particles In space, astronauts face a range of hazards, including exposure to radiation and charged particles that are normally shielded by Earth's atmosphere and magnetosphere. On Earth, the ozone layer and magnetosphere protect us from harmful charged particles and electromagnetic (EM) radiation. In space, however, astronauts are exposed to much higher levels of radiation, especially when entering regions like the Van Allen radiation belts or traveling beyond Earth's vicinity. This exposure includes galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) and solar radiation. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 71  Radiation and Charged Particles Radiation damage to humans depends on the dosage, which is a measure of accumulated exposure to radiation or charged particles. The severity of this damage is affected by two factors: 1.) RAD (Radiation Absorbed Dose): This measures the energy absorbed by living tissue from radiation. For example, 1 RAD equals 100 ergs of energy per gram of material. 1 erg = 10-7 J AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 72  Radiation and Charged Particles 2.) RBE (Relative Biological Effectiveness): This measures how destructive a type of radiation is to biological tissue. For example, EM radiation (photons) has an RBE of 1, while charged particles can have an RBE of 10 or higher, making them much more harmful. The overall dosage is calculated as the product of RAD and RBE, giving the result in roentgen equivalent man (REM). REM measures cumulative radiation exposure over a person’s lifetime. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 73  Radiation and Charged Particles AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 74  Radiation and Charged Particles AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 75  Short-Term and Long-Term Dosages The effects of radiation exposure differ based on how quickly it is accumulated: Acute Dosages: Large amounts of radiation over a short period are more harmful, especially to fast-reproducing cells in the gastrointestinal tract, bone marrow, and reproductive organs. Acute exposure can cause vomiting, diarrhea, blood count changes, and in extreme cases, death. Chronic Dosages: Long-term exposure, even at lower levels, can lead to conditions such as cataracts, leukemia, and other cancers. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 76  Psychological Effects Space missions are expensive, so astronauts’ schedules are packed with demanding tasks to maximize productivity. However, excessive workloads can exhaust even highly trained crews, leading to reduced performance and jeopardizing the mission. Overworked astronauts can experience frustration, fatigue, and a decline in morale, which, in extreme cases, has led to crew protests. For example, during one Skylab mission, the crew staged a one-day strike due to overwhelming demands, and similar issues have been documented aboard the Russian Mir space station. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 77  Psychological Effects Astronauts experience extreme isolation, especially during long missions far from Earth. This isolation can cause loneliness and depression, particularly when they are confined to small living spaces with the same crew for extended periods. Close quarters can lead to interpersonal tension, conflict, and a decrease in team effectiveness. These psychological stresses are not unique to space missions; similar challenges are observed in remote environments like Antarctic research stations, where long, dark winters can trigger depression and conflict among team members. AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 78 How to Counter Psychological Deterrence? Scheduled Breaks Communication with Loved Ones Crew Selection Psychological Diversion AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 79  Let us watch this video: https://youtu.be/1xQx5d0RI3M?si= Z1Sm7N4IFSf8bbm4 AIR LINK INTERNATIONAL AVIATION COLLEGE DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING The Space Environment│ 80 THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! ANY QUESTIONS? PREPARED BY: Engr. Ivan Lance B. Casupang 0969 158 9477 [email protected]