Exploring Space
For centuries humanity explored space from the ground but improvements to what was essentially an ancient weapon - the rocket - made it possible for humans to fly into space. From the first fumbling steps in crude unmanned craft to plans for a manned mission to Mars, we have come a long way in space exploration.
Activities:
- Give an explanation as to why the rocket played such a significant role in the race for humans to "conquer" space.
- The launching of each satellite, during the early stage of space exploration, was a momentous event. What purpose did they serve then and now?
- During a first manned space orbit, by astronaut Yuri Gagarin, what concerns would the Soviet space centre have been focussing on? How was the flight proven to be successful?
- So many obstacles needed to be confronted during early space exploration. What were they and how were they overcome? Which two countries have been at the forefront of early space exploration? What role does Australia play today?
- During the sixties, the power and velocity of rockets enhanced the direction of the space programme yet again. What was the Saturn V rocket responsible for?
- The Apollo Program was not without its mishaps. Give examples of these. What achievement was the crowning glory of this programme? Was it accomplished in the name of humankind or the U.S.A?
- The Moon program was curtailed in the early 1970s, and was replaced by what change in direction of space exploration?
- What is the purpose of probes? What have we learnt form their exploration of Venus? How were the opinions of scientists altered?
- U.S probes Voyagers 1 and 2 were able to relay unprecedented information back to earth. What important information did they send back and how did it change our vision of the solar system?
Websites:
NASA
Check out the new improved NASA website. There is more information here than you could possibly need on all aspects of space flight. There are also special sections for kids, students and for educators.
History of Rockets
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blrocket.htm
Some great articles on the evolution of the rocket from weapons system to space engine. Includes articles on the pioneer scientists and on how a rocket engine works.
Russian Space Web
http://www.russianspaceweb.com/
A site devoted to the latest news and the history of space exploration in the Soviet Union and today's Commonwealth of Independent States.
Nauts.com
Looks at the history of space with timelines, biographies and profiles of missions. The site also invites your contributions.
Books:
Aiming for the Stars
By Tom D. Crouch
This is one of the best books available on the history of space travel with loads of interesting detail about the people involved (Melbourne University Press).
Rockets- Sulfur, Sputniks and Scramjets
By Peter Macinnis
A wonderful tale of how rockets went from gunpowder stuffed bamboo tubes to massive launch vehicles for space exploration. Told in the inimitable style of Mr Macinnis, full of wonderful little-known detail accessible to those who are not rocket scientists (Allen&Unwin).
The Big Splat
By Dana McKenzie
Tracks the development of our knowledge about the Moon from the earliest theories proposed by ancient astronomers to what we know of how the Moon came to be based on more recent scientific exploration (John Wiley & Sons).
DK Space Encyclopaedia
By Heather Couper and Nigel Henbest
Chock full of information about space exploration and everything we know about what is in space (Dorling Kindersley).
The Usborne Book of Astronomy and Space
By Lisa Miles and Alastair Smith
A big, beautifully illustrated, book full of information on all of the heavenly bodies as well as how we came to know what we know about them (Usborne).