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.
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