Name:
Period:
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SOLAR, SYSTEM
Life can only exist under certain conditions creating habitable places. Eliminating conditions will not
allow life to exist. After learning about the Solar System, fill in the chart with the proper eliminating
conditions. Use as many as are possible for each planet or place.
Consider the following ELIMINATING conditions: temp too extreme (HOT OR COLD); no liquid
water; too far from, or too close to, the SUN; atmosphere does not support life; no atmosphere;
poisonous atmosphere; other things you ID: ozone layer (or not); magnetosphere (or not)
OBJECT IN
SOLAR SYSTEM
ELIMINATING CONDITIONS
Mercury
Venus
Mars
Neptune
Jupiter
Moon
l e,,
-@o gd#8
Name:
Period: __
Accommodations for Space Explorations
Complete the chart below by stating whether each condition is present or absent in each environment. In
addition, explain how astronauts are protected from dangerous conditions. Use pages 99-102 as a resource.
Condition
Present on Earth?
Present in Space?
What Protects the
Astronauts?
Gravity
Atmosphere
Radiation from Sun
Extreme Temperatures
i Adioq h4
CONDITIONS THAT ALLOW EARTH TO SUPPORT LiFE ARE:
CmC.Cf
from the sun is "just right"
(plus other life.needed gases such as Carbon and Nitrogen)
covers 75% of our surface
to live on
(producers) to make oxygen and use
Geological Activity, which allows carbon to be cycled in and out of the atmosphere
An
from harmful
• Keeps the
rays
livable
What are some of the problems the body faces in space and why,?
Problems
Cause i 50[ÿ-ÿ Iÿ ÿCÿC 6ÿt6ÿ%
UNIT 5: Structure and Function of Organisms, Part 2
Lesson 8: Humans and Space Exploration
Exploration of Space
Our Earth is a habitable planet because its biotic and abiotic factors are just right for
allowing life to exÿ-f-. Oxygen, water, temperature, and an atmosphere that traps heat "
energy and .ÿovides protection from harmful solar radiation are factors that allow life
to exist on Earth. For humans to consider traveling in space, artificial environments
with these biotic and abiotic factors must be created and maintained. Today an
-average stay'-in space is several weeks to several months; After 50 years of space
travel, scientists are still working to find solutions to space exploration problems.
Many accommodations must be made to-enable humans to travel .and live outside
Earth's protective atmosphere. Outer coverings on spacecraft provide protection
agaÿst_harmful radiation and tiny meteoroid hits. Astronauts must-wear specialized
space suits_when making a space walk. These space suits provide protection
against solar radiation, extreme hot and cold temperatures, a lack of air pressure,
and tiny meteoroids.
On June 9, 1965, Astronaut Ed White became the first American to walk in space.
The visor of his helmet was gold-plated to protect him from the unfiltered rays of the Sun.
Life support systems provide necessary oxygen and water and remove harmful
materials like carbon dioxide. Wastewater on the International Space Station is
cleaned for reuse. Moisture from exhaled air, sweat, shower and shaving water, and
urine are recycled and used again for drinking, food preparation, and cleaning.
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r-kk
Lesson 8: Humans and Space Exploration
All waste materials, including trash, solid body waste, and dirty clothes, are stored in
special containers and returned to Earth.
How does a toilet work in microgravity? Think about how things float around in
space. Toilets on spacecraft are specially designed to work in microgravity. Air is
used to pull urine and feces to where they need to go, since gravity does not help.
There are footrests with straps and body restraints to keep the astronauts in place.
,lmagin.e the .mÿss if you took a shower on a spacecraft. Astronauts must take
sponge baths in microgravity.
Most food used in space exploration is dehydrated to prevent spoilage and reduce
storage space. Fresh fruits and vegetables can be taken on space trips but must
be consumed quickly to avoid spoilage. Food must be carefully packaged. A loose
crumb can cause a major problem if it floats off into a-vent or a piece of equipment.
In the microgravity environment, astronauts make slow movements whiÿle eating to
keep food from flying off their fork or spoon.
i
in the microgravity environment of the orbiter Atlantis, eating was a little more challenging for
Commander Steve Frick.
The lack of gravity causes medical problems for astronauts. The spinal column
lengthens by 5 cm tO 8 cm. Muscle and bone streP, gt-h are lost because it takes
less energy to float in space than it does-to move around on Earth, with its much
-stronger pull of gravity. In Exploreÿ you modeied the calcium loss of bones as the
vinegar removed the calcium from the chicken bones, making them very flexible but
not able to support as much weight. The astronaut's physical ability is reduced as
bones and muscles decrease in size and strength. Astronauts exercise between 30
minutes and 2 hours each day in space to minimize the effects of microgravity on
the body's bones and muscles. Shorter space flights cause less deterioration_of the
b
f
bones and muscles.
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