Space Shuttle Internet Search
1.
What is a space shuttle? Describe and illustrate (copy and
paste) the main parts of a space shuttle and explain the
function of each part.
2.
What is the mission of NASA’s space shuttle program? Why
did NASA choose to build and maintain a fleet of space
shuttles?
Col. Michael T. Good, left, and Garrett E. Reisman during a shuttle
mission last May. Dr. Reisman recently left the astronaut corps.
Thirty five years ago, NASA launched Columbia, the first space shuttle,
on a two-day mission to circle Earth’s orbit. Since then, more than 130
shuttle missions on five different shuttles have carried more than 350
astronauts to space.
3.
NASA has used shuttles to send unmanned spacecraft on
missions throughout the solar system. These spacecraft
include the exploratory probes Magellan and Galileo as well as
the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. What were the destinations
of these spacecrafts, and what have we learned from the data
they collected and sent back to Earth?
4.
The space shuttle might be best known for its role in
launching, maintaining and repairing the Hubble Space
Telescope. What have we learned about space from images
collected with the Hubble telescope?
On these missions, astronauts have helped build and maintain
the International Space Station, repaired the Hubble Space Telescope,
launched numerous exploratory spacecraft and conducted
science experiments in science, plant biology, human health and
countless other fields.
Please answer five of the following questions. Gentlemen, please
answer the “odd” numbered questions. Ladies, please answer the
“even numbered questions.
For each question, please copy and paste the QUESTION and then type
your answer.
The answer for each question should have a MINIMUM of 3
paragraphs with each paragraph having a minimum of 3 sentences. (3
x 3 = 9 sentences for each question)
When you are finished please email your Space Shuttle Internet Search
to:
5.
Astronauts have described space as an “alien” environment
[email protected].
where things behave quite differently than they do on Earth.
If you just copy and paste (plagiarize), you will get NO credit. Please
research and then write the answer in YOUR OWN WORDS.
What properties make that the case? Describe three ways in
Questions:
which materials behave differently in space than on Earth
because of these properties.
Lesson: Space-Age Experiments
6.
What kinds of scientific questions have scientists explored on
the space shuttle by taking advantage of the unusual
Lesson: Mission Discovery
properties of space? Describe three areas of shuttle-based
Lesson: Just a Fellow Traveler in the Human Experience
research, and explain how these experiments relate to real-
Science Quiz: Happy Birthday, Hubble!
world problems on Earth.
Testing 1, 2, 3: Creating Quizzes to Gauge Science Knowledge
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
With ‘Coolest Job Ever’ Ending, Astronauts Seek Next Frontier
Times Topics: Space Shuttle
The Universe, in High Definition
Science That Can’t Be Done on Earth
The Shuttle
7.
Exploration by its very nature is a risky undertaking, and
space exploration is no exception. Twice in the history of the
space shuttle program, the shuttle and the entire crew on
board were lost in accidents. What have investigators learned
about the probable causes of these disasters?
8.
Why do many astronauts call the return to Earth’s atmosphere
one of the riskiest moments in space travel, and how does the
design of a space shuttle minimize this risk?
9.
Why is NASA retiring the space shuttle program? Will NASA
continue to send humans into space? If so, how? If not, why
not?
10. Describe the two tragedies involving space shuttles. What was
the cause of each accident? Which shuttles were involved?
Related Resources:
From The Learning Network
Life into Space (Note: Volume II on this site includes helpful
information about research on living organisms, like plants and mice,
in space. Volume III includes lists of experiments sent into orbit on
numerous shuttle missions.)