Mission to Mars Part 2

Hi students,

Today we are going to conclude watching History Channel's The Universe - Mars: The Red Planet.  Please continue developing your opinion as to whether or not a manned mission to Mars is feasible and likely to happen.

Here are a couple more resources to consider:

1. An article about a deal between Mars One and Lockheed Martin (an aerospace engineering firm): http://www.popsci.com/article/technology/one-way-manned-mission-mars-just-got-closer-reality

2. An article about a panel meeting in Congress to discuss proceeding with a manned mission to Mars:
http://phys.org/news/2014-03-house-panel-discuses-mars-flyby.html

By the end of class, please type a two-paragraph essay giving your opinion.  Make sure it answers the following questions:  Is a manned mission to Mars feasible?  What obstacles need to be overcome?  Do you think that this will happen in your lifetime?  Why do you think so?  Email or share your essay with me at james_trainer@dpsk12.org.  As always, you will be graded using the common core rubric for your grade level.  This is a 50-point quiz assignment.

Mission to Mars

Hi all,

One of the next logical steps in manned space exploration is to land on Mars.  This was the expected next step after we won the Space Race by landing on the Moon, but as we have learned, President Nixon opted to direct NASA's efforts towards the space shuttle instead.  There is now a renewed interest in pursuing the goal of sending a manned mission to Mars, but this will be an extremely expensive, difficult, and dangerous mission.

Objective:  Student will assess the feasibility of a manned mission to Mars in writing by considering the technological, financial, and medical obstacles that stand in the way of mission success.

Start by reading about the feasibility of the mission here: http://www.space.com/24268-manned-mars-mission-nasa-feasibility.html

Now, let's read about Mars One, a non-profit corporation that aims to establish a semi-permanent human colony on Mars in the 2020's.  Start with the "Risks and Challenges" page and then move on to familiarize yourself with their missions and timeline:  http://www.mars-one.com/mission/risks-and-challenges

After we have read these resources and discussed them briefly, we will get some basic background information on Mars and the trip there by watching the Nature Channel's The Universe - Mars: The Red Planet in class (you can also watch it on your own here).

Modern Space Exploration: The Hubble Telescope

This is our last week in Unit 6: Space Exploration.  We will be learning about modern (post-shuttle) efforts to explore space.  Our objective of the week is students will be able to describe current and future efforts to explore space, both within the solar system and in the universe beyond.

Today we are going to learn more about the Hubble telescope.  As we have learned, the Hubble owes its existence to the space shuttle program.  Only the shuttle could have launched, assembled, and repaired this remarkable instrument.  But why is the Hubble so special?  What has it taught us?  Let's take a look.

First, let's examine HubbleSite's Hubble Essentials page to learn the basics. How does the Hubble work?  Why did it need to be repaired?  Who uses it?  http://hubblesite.org/the_telescope/hubble_essentials/

Now, let's learn more about the instruments aboard Hubble.  How are they different from one another?  What do they allow us to see? http://www.spacetelescope.org/about/general/instruments/

Finally, let's learn about some of the achievements of the Hubble.  What have we learned using the Hubble?

The famous XDF image: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/49168911/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/hubble-telescope-reveals-farthest-ever-view-universe/#.UzA6fqhdVyw

Finding exoplanets, which is important for our next unit on extraterrestrial life (you will want some headphones for this).  What are some of the different techniques for finding planets orbiting far-away stars?: http://hubblesite.org/hubble_discoveries/discovering_planets_beyond/ 

The Hubble has advanced our understanding of the origins of the universe, of how galaxies develop and change, and of how stars are born.  Learn about one more discovery of your choice here: http://hubblesite.org/hubble_discoveries/breakthroughs/

We will stop periodically to discuss your findings.  In the last 10 minutes of class, you will be asked to complete this mastery check.

Space Shuttle: Mistake or Triumph?

Today you will take a position on the space shuttle - was it a triumph or a mistake?  We have read quite a bit about the shuttle, but here are a few more articles to consider:

MISTAKE:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/carolpinchefsky/2012/04/18/5-horrifying-facts-you-didnt-know-about-the-space-shuttle/2/

http://launiusr.wordpress.com/2011/05/04/assessing-the-space-shuttle-a-thirty-year-mistake/

A statement from Alex Roland, a former NASA employee who issued a criticism of the shuttle program in 1985, BEFORE the Challenger disaster: http://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Documents/Congress/Senate/FEBRUA~1/roland_statement.html

TRIUMPH:

In the words of NASA employees: http://www.nasa.gov/centers/marshall/shuttle_station/shuttle_memories_prt.htm

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/space-shuttle-30-years-of-fascinating-facts/

BOTH:

http://www.space.com/12166-space-shuttle-program-cost-promises-209-billion.html

Now, make a decision.  Was the space shuttle a triumph or a mistake?  Take a position and explain your views with supporting evidence in an essay (3 paragraphs minimum).  Be sure to use specific information from the various sources we have read this week!  Email me your essay (it may not be handwritten) at james_trainer@dpsk12.org.

The politics of the space shuttle, continued

Sooooo let's pick up where we left off.  With Nixon.

First, here is President Nixon's phone call to Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong after they walked on the Moon:  http://www.history.com/speeches/nixon-calls-apollo-11-astronauts#nixon-calls-apollo-11-astronauts

How did Nixon sound?  Excited?  Bored?  Do you think he sounds like he supports the space program?

Finally, read about President Nixon's decision-making at the beginning of The Space Shuttle Decision, Chapter 9 (please stop when you get to "Space Shuttle: The Last Moves").

1.  How did Nixon perceive astronauts?  Why?

2.  How did Nixon's public statements about space flight differ from Kennedy's?

3.  What priorities did Nixon have for the space program?

We have learned that the Shuttle suffered a couple of high-profile disasters.  The Challenger disaster in 1986 and the Columbia disaster in 2003, combined with the high expense of the shuttle program (the cost was about 20 times more than the estimates), served to bring the shuttle program to the end.

The Challenger was launched in cold weather, despite warnings from engineers that some valves were not rated to perform below 53 F.  It ignited during liftoff when a pocket of gases ignited in the booster and burned through to the main fuel area.  You can see the live coverage of what was supposed to be a routine launch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfnvFnzs91s

The Columbia's wing was thought to be damaged by falling thermal tiles during liftoff.  NASA command ignored several requests for astronauts on board to conduct a spacewalk to inspect the damage.  It disintegrated during reentry.  You can see news coverage of the disaster here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1_bdSKEG3s

The idea of the shuttle was to be a device to bring scores of astronauts to and from a space station.  The idea of the space station was the product of science fiction and antiquated technologies.  We pursued the shuttle's development long after the development of satellites that could automatically perform functions for a long time without maintenance.  Was it a mistake to build the shuttle?  Let's consider the accomplishments of the shuttle program.

First, the Hubble telescope was assembled in orbit.  The Hubble was heavy and complicated, and it took several missions to build, maintain, and repair.  This device has helped us to learn much about the universe.  Read about the telescope here: http://hubblesite.org/the_telescope/hubble_essentials/

What can the Hubble do that observatories on Earth can't do?

What were some of the most important Hubble discoveries?

Second, the International Space Station was built.  The shuttle was instrumental for building and manning the station.  Read about the station here: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/onthestation/facts_and_figures.html#.Uymm6ahdVyw

SOOOOOO.. what do you think?  Was the Shuttle program a mistake?  A failure?  A success?  Tomorrow you will be asked to give your opinion and support it with evidence in an essay.  For now, please give your preliminary thoughts on the survey here.

SRB's, gravity waves, and 1970's politics

Hi all,

Before we get started, there are couple of curiosities we need to take a look at.

First we were wondering how the space shuttle's rocket boosters (Solid Rocket Boosters, or SRB's) are recovered after they fall off of the ascending shuttle.  Well, I figured it out.  You can read about it (and see it) here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Solid_Rocket_Booster#Descent_and_recovery

Second, there is a new piece of observational evidence that supports the big bang theory.  Scientists have found evidence of the existence of gravity waves, which are ripples in spacetime leftover from the inflationary period after the big bang.  During this time, the universe expanded faster than the speed of light, and scientists have long predicted that we should be able to detect evidence that this happened if we could observe distortions in a gravity field.  Much like the cosmic microwave background radiation is evidence that all matter was once evenly spread out and super hot, the gravity waves are evidence that our universe once expanded very rapidly.  You can read about it here: http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/17/tech/innovation/big-bang-gravitational-waves/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 and here: http://phys.org/news/2014-03-hints-gravitational-big-afterglow.html

Now, down to business.  Now that we have learned basic information about the shuttle, including that it was arguably an overpriced failure, we are going to learn the history behind the decision to build it.

Please read from The Space Shuttle Decision, Chapter 1 (please stop when you get to the heading "Winged Rockets:...") and answer these questions:

1.  What was Wernher Von Braun's role in generating interest in the space shuttle?

2.  Why was the public interested in developing something like the space shuttle?

3.  What were the tactical military and scientific purposes for developing a permanent space station?

Now check out the beginning of The Space Shuttle Decision, Chapter 2 (please stop when you get to "Apollo Applications...").

1.  The space shuttle idea was always tied to the idea of a space station.  How did changes in technology alter the goals of the shuttle program?

2.  What type of equipment replaced the idea of establishing a space station?

Finally, read about President Nixon's decision-making at the beginning of The Space Shuttle Decision, Chapter 9 (please stop when you get to "Space Shuttle: The Last Moves").

1.  How did Nixon perceive astronauts?  Why?

2.  How did Nixon's public statements about space flight differ from Kennedy's?

3.  What priorities did Nixon have for the space program?

We will discuss each reading in turn in class today.

The US Space Shuttle

Hi students! This week we are learning about the Space Shuttle, developed by the United States, that was used in 135 missions over the course of 30 years from 1981 - 2011.  The shuttle was a huge accomplishment and has become an icon of space exploration.

Our objective this week:  Explain the advantages and disadvantages of the space shuttle as a space exploration tool in an extended constructed response essay.

To accomplish this objective, we have some daily goals:

Monday - Compare and contrast the shuttle to the equipment used in the Apollo missions.
Tuesday - Describe how political motivation influenced the development of the space shuttle.
Wednesday - Describe how the Challenger and Columbia disasters influenced US space exploration policy.
Thursday - Evaluate the effectiveness of the shuttle program by describing details of accomplishments and milestones in the program's 30-year history.

Today, we need to learn about the shuttle itself.  Please visit this nasa website first to learn about the history and the basic function of the shuttle:

http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/shuttle_retrospective/index.html

http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/the_shuttle/

Read Logsdon's "Was the Space Shuttle a Mistake?" article in Technology Review here: http://www.technologyreview.com/article/424586/was-the-space-shuttle-a-mistake/

Please answer the following analysis questions:

1.  What were the different parts of the space shuttle?  Which parts could be reused?  Which parts were not reusable?

2.  What could the shuttle do that the Saturn V rocket could not?  What were some differences between these vehicles?

3.  What were some important milestones in the history of the space shuttle?

4. What does Logsdon say are some of the advantages of the use of the space shuttle?

5. What are some of the limitations or disadvantages of the shuttle, according to Logsdon?

6. Why does Logsdon say that the shuttle program was a mistake?

After we discuss these as a class, please click here to complete the mastery check.

Quiz 6.3: October Sky response essay

Hi students!  Now that we have finished October Sky, I want you to reflect on what we have seen and compare it to what we learned last week.  We have learned the history of the space race between the US and USSR and October Sky tells the story of one man's reaction to the events of the race.  The history of the space race and the story of Homer Hickam are intertwined.

Weekly Objective:  Student will be able to describe the correlation between the events in Homer Hickam's life, as depicted in the film October Sky, with the history of the space race between the US and USSR in a written constructed response.

To accomplish this objective...

Write a two-paragraph analysis of how the events of the space race influenced Homer Hickam in October Sky.  Questions to consider are: What event inspired Homer to become a rocket scientist?  Who did Homer look up to?  What was the prevailing opinion of the USSR among residents of Coalwood?  What opportunities were available to young people in Coalwood?  How would Homer Hickam's life been different if the space race did not happen?

Please note that this is essay constitutes the entire quiz 6.3 grade.  I will use the common core writing rubric for argument to grade your essay.  Juniors and seniors, you can see your rubric here.  Freshmen and sophomores, find yours here.

Mr. Trainer's absent - Work on your outline and 10 notecards!

Hi guys,

I'm out sick today and I anticipate that I will be back tomorrow.  The 10 notecards and outline for your research paper were due today, but they are now due tomorrow at the end of class instead.  Please work on these things in class today.  Please help our guest teacher have a great day today.

Here is a link to Ms. Clarke's research essay mega packet, where you will find guidelines for how to develop your notecards and your outline.