The Future of Space Travel
Section 10.5
Technologies• Since the 1950s we have – sent
people to the moon, probes to planets, built the ISS.
• As technologies improve so will space travel.
Space Shuttle• Will be retired after
2010• NASA is developing
reusable launch vehicles.
• The Ares rockets are scheduled to take people back to the moon and to Mars and other destinations.
The Moon: A Testing Ground• NASA has a goal of sending astronauts to live
and work on Mars.• The moon will be a test site and launching spot
to head to Mars.• NASA has plans to send humans back to the
moon in 2020.• Moon and Mars share properties – cold, covered
in dust-like particles.
Dangers of Exploring the Moon & Mars
• Takes 4 days to get to the Moon, 6-10 months to get to Mars.
• The fine layer of dust that covers the Moon and Mars may be up to 10m deep in places.
• This dust can harm equipment but also irritate eyes, skin and lungs.
Challenges of traveling to the Moon & Mars
• Difficulties obtaining a constant supply of water, oxygen and food.
• Protection from the cold and the Sun’s radiation (ultraviolet and X-Ray)
Space Tourism• In 2009 the cost for space
tourists was $30 million for 7 days!
• Suborbital trips aboard specially built planes will take passengers to 100km above Earth and they will experience short bouts of weightlessness..
• Virgin Galactic charges $200,000 per trip
Space Elevators?• There are scientists competing
to develop the first elevator to space. – Would be tethered to a ship in the
ocean and a counterweight in space
– The climber would be powered by a laser
– The cable would be 36000 km long
– We currently do not have the technology
Today’s Tasks• Read more about the Ares space
crafts on page 434• Pg. 437 #1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10
