Exploring Space
Rockets
Teacher’s Guide
Grade Level: 5-9
Curriculum Focus: Science
Lesson Duration: 5 class periods
Program Description
Newton’s Third law of motion (1 min.)—Defines Newton’s third law of motion and its application to
rocket science. Robert Goddard—Father of Rocketry (1 min.)—Introduces the first scientist who used
liquid rocket fuel. World War II and the Postwar Era (3 min.)—Describes the United States’ and Soviet
Union’s recruitment of German rocket scientists following World War II. First Humans into Space (12
min.)—Demonstrates how rockets propel spacecrafts into orbit. Skylab and Beyond (6 min.)—Provides
an overview of space missions since the Apollo 11 moon landing.
Discussion Questions
•
What is Newton’s third law of motion?
•
How does friction affect rockets during liftoff, orbit, and reentry?
•
What lessons have been learned from tragedies in the space program?
•
How did the Cold War play a role in the advancement of rocket science?
Lesson Plan
Student Objectives
•
Identify and discuss how Newton’s third law of motion applies to rocket science
•
Analyze and explain the role that friction plays during takeoff, orbit, and reentry
•
Research and write a two-page report about one of the United States or Soviet space missions
•
Create a timeline as part of a group presentation highlighting achievements of the U.S. and Soviet
space programs
Materials
•
Exploring Space—Rockets video
•
Computer with Internet access
Exploring Space
Rockets
Teacher’s Guide
•
Print and Web resources about the U.S. and Soviet space programs
•
Poster boards, 4” x 6” index cards, and markers for class presentations
2
Procedures
1. Before viewing the video, ask students what they know about the “space race” of the 1950s and
1960s. Which countries were involved? Explain how the political and ideological conflicts
between the United States and the Soviet Union fueled early space exploration. What do they
think the perceived benefit would be to the first country to put a human being into space? What
would it mean to be the first nation to put a human being on the moon? Inform the students that
they will be watching a program on rockets, and they should play close attention to the scientific
principles behind rocket science, as well as the history of the U.S. and Soviet space programs.
2. After viewing the video, ask the class about the scientific principles behind rocket science. What is
Newton’s third law of motion? (For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.) Explain
how the burning fuel in a rocket’s combustion area pushes the rocket forward. Who was Robert
Goddard? How did he revolutionize modern rocketry? Discuss answers from the video; Goddard
wanted to build rockets powered by liquid fuel instead of solid fuel, so the fuel output could be
controlled.
3. Discuss how spacecrafts maneuver when they leave the Earth’s atmosphere and the importance
of heat shields during a spacecraft’s reentry. How does friction affect rockets during liftoff, orbit,
and reentry? Why are heat shields so important to a spacecraft? Why is the angle of reentry so
important?
4. Talk about the role that damaged heat shields played in the Columbia space shuttle disaster.
Explain how the friction resulting from Columbia’s reentry into Earth’s atmosphere created
temperatures so intense that—without the full protection of undamaged heat shields—the shuttle
disintegrated. How do they think this tragedy could have been avoided?
5. What lessons have been learned from other tragedies in the space program? Discuss the fire that
killed three astronauts aboard Apollo 1, as well as the Challenger disaster. Explain how engineers
learned from Apollo 1 that flammable materials in an oxygen-rich environment was a recipe for
disaster, particularly as the escape hatch proved too difficult for the trapped astronauts to open.
Failure of a component called an O-ring caused the loss of the shuttle Challenger.
6. Ask the students if they are familiar with the near-disaster that occurred on Apollo 13, which was
dramatized in the movie by the same name. What scientific principle saved the astronauts of
Apollo 13? Explain how the marooned astronauts used the gravitational pull of the moon and the
Earth to travel with minimal use of their rocket boosters.
7. Remind the class that the Soviets also experienced triumphs and tragedies during the space race.
What role did the Cold War play in the advancement of rocket science? Discuss the immigration
of German rocket scientists to the U.S. and Soviet Union after World War II, and the fierce
competition between the two countries to be the first to achieve certain milestones.
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Exploring Space
Rockets
Teacher’s Guide
3
8. Later in the week, have the students write a two-page report on one of the U.S. or Soviet space
missions, highlighting any milestones in space exploration, advances in technology, or important
information gathered during the mission. Ask students to research their missions using print and
Web resources. The following Web sites contain pertinent information:
•
Space Race Exhibition (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)
www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/gal114/gal114.htm
•
Space Race (Wikipedia)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/space_race
•
NASA History Division
http://history.nasa.gov
•
The History Channel Exhibits: Moonshots
www.historychannel.com/exhibits/moonshots/timeline.html
•
BBC Science and Nature (Space Exploration Timeline)
www.bbc.co.uk/science/space/exploration/missiontimeline/index.shtml
9. For the second assignment, have students work in groups of three or four students. Assign each
group one decade—from the 1960s to the present decade—in which to research highlights of the
U.S. and Soviet space programs. Each group will then contribute to a class presentation on the
topic. Groups studying more recent achievements can expand their research to include other
nations that have sent their citizens into space.
Assessment
Use the following three-point rubric to evaluate students' work during this lesson.
•
3 points: Students produced a complete report and fully contributed to the group
presentation, included all of the requested information in the report and group presentation;
accurately cited three interesting, relevant points in their report and during their portion of
the group presentation.
•
2 points: Students produced an adequate report and made some contributions to the group
presentation, included most of the requested information in the report and group
presentation; satisfactorily cited two relevant points in their report and during their portion of
the group presentation.
•
1 point: Students created an incomplete report and made little or no contributions to the
group presentation, included little or none of the requested information; did not include any
interesting, relevant points in their report or during their portion of the group presentation.
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Exploring Space
Rockets
Teacher’s Guide
4
Vocabulary
atmosphere
Definition: A mass of gases surrounding a heavenly body, such as a planet
Context: Since space has no atmosphere, astronauts must use pressurized spacesuits.
booster
Definition: The first stage of a multistage rocket providing force for the launch and the first part of
the flight
Context: After the fuel in the booster rockets is used up, the boosters detach from the spacecraft
and fall back to Earth.
capsule
Definition: A compartment of a spacecraft that accommodates the astronauts with nearly normal
atmospheric pressure
Context: The Apollo 13 astronauts had to use the lunar module as a “lifeboat” when an explosion
damaged their capsule shortly after liftoff.
centrifuge
Definition: A machine using centrifugal force to cause gravitational effects
Context: The Mercury Seven astronauts were placed in giant centrifuges so scientists could
measure how the human body would handle the gravitational force of liftoff.
combustion
Definition: The act or instance of burning
Context: Liquid fuel rockets allow for combustion without burning all the fuel at once.
dock
Definition: To join two spacecraft mechanically while in space
Context: The docking of the Soyuz and Apollo capsules was a historic moment because the United
States and the Soviet Union had been rivals in the space race.
friction
Definition: The force that resists motion between bodies in contact
Context: The friction created during reentry can destroy a spacecraft if its heat shields have been
damaged.
g-force
Definition: Gravitational force, a unit of force equal to that exerted by gravity
Context: At a g-force of 2 Gs, a 150-pound person weighs 300 pounds.
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Rockets
Teacher’s Guide
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satellite
Definition: A manufactured object or vehicle intended to orbit the Earth, the moon, or another
heavenly body
Context: The space race between the United States and the U.S.S.R. was initiated in 1957, when the
Soviets successfully launched a satellite called Sputnik into Earth orbit.
Academic Standards
Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (McREL)
McREL's Content Knowledge: A Compendium of Standards and Benchmarks for K–12 Education
addresses 14 content areas. To view the standards and benchmarks, visit
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/browse.asp
This program addresses the following national standards:
•
Science—Nature of Science: Understands the nature of scientific knowledge; Understands the
nature of scientific inquiry; Understands the scientific enterprise
•
Science—Physical Science: Understands forces and motion
•
Language Arts—Writing: Uses the general skills and strategies of the writing process; Uses the
stylistic and rhetorical aspects of writing; Gathers and uses information for research purposes
•
Language Arts—Viewing: Uses viewing skills and strategies to understand and interpret visual
media
•
Life Skills—Working with Others: Contributes to the overall efforts of a group
National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences provides guidelines for teaching science in grades K–12 to promote
scientific literacy. To view the standards, visit this Web site:
http://books.nap.edu/html/nses/html/overview.html#content
This lesson plan addresses the following national standards:
•
Science and technology: Abilities of technological design; Understandings about science and
technology
•
Science in personal and social perspective: Science and technology in society
•
History and nature of science: Science as a human endeavor; Nature of science; History of science
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Rockets
Teacher’s Guide
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Support Materials
Develop custom worksheets, educational puzzles, online quizzes, and more with the free teaching tools
offered on the DiscoverySchool.com Web site. Create and print support materials, or save them to a
Custom Classroom account for future use. To learn more, visit
•
http://school.discovery.com/teachingtools/teachingtools.html
DVD Content
This program is available in an interactive DVD format. The following information and activities are
specific to the DVD version.
How to Use the DVD
The DVD starting screen has the following options:
Play Video—This plays the video from start to finish. There are no programmed stops, except by
using a remote control. With a computer, depending on the particular software player, a pause
button is included with the other video controls.
Video Index— Here the video is divided into sections indicated by video thumbnail icons; brief
descriptions are noted for each one. Watching all parts in sequence is similar to watching the video
from start to finish. To play a particular segment, press Enter on the remote for TV playback; on a
computer, click once to highlight a thumbnail and read the accompanying text description and click
again to start the video.
Curriculum Units— These are specially edited video segments pulled from different sections of the
video (see below). These nonlinear segments align with key ideas in the unit of instruction. They
include onscreen pre- and post-viewing questions, reproduced below in this Teacher’s Guide. Total
running times for these segments are noted. To play a particular segment, press Enter on the TV
remote or click once on the Curriculum Unit title on a computer.
Standards Link—Selecting this option displays a single screen that lists the national academic
standards the video addresses.
Teacher Resources—This screen gives the technical support number and Web site address.
Video Index
I. Newton’s Third Law of Motion (1 min.)
The Chinese launched the first rockets about 1,000 years ago. Learn how rockets work by reviewing Isaac
Newton’s third law of motion.
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Rockets
Teacher’s Guide
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II. Robert Goddard—Father of Rocketry (1 min.)
Up until the 1920s, all rockets were powered by solid fuel. Discover how Robert Goddard developed
powerful rockets propelled by liquid fuel.
III. World War II and the Postwar Era (3 min.)
After World War II, the United States and U.S.S.R. sought military superiority by confiscating German
V-2 rockets and enlisting the scientists who developed them. Learn more about the beginnings of the
space race.
IV. First Humans into Space (12 min.)
During the 1960s scientists had the chance to apply Newton’s third law of motion in space. Find out how
rockets propel spacecrafts into orbit and allow them to maneuver.
V. Skylab and Beyond (6 min.)
As the Cold War came to an end, scientists from the American and Soviet space programs began to work
together. Learn more about the accomplishments and setbacks of the NASA space program.
Curriculum Units
1. An Introduction to Newton’s Third Law of Motion
Pre-viewing question
Q: What do you know about Sir Isaac Newton?
A: Answers may include Newton’s “discovery” of gravity.
Post-viewing question
Q: What is Isaac Newton’s third law of motion?
A: The third law of motion states that “for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.”
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Exploring Space
Rockets
Teacher’s Guide
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2. Early Liquid-propelled Rockets
Pre-viewing question
Q: List examples of objects that are propelled by rockets.
A: Answers may include firecrackers, missiles, and spacecrafts.
Post-viewing question
Q: What was the main innovation in rockets that Robert Goddard developed?
A: Goddard developed a rocket that could be powered by liquid fuel, and had valves that could open
and shut to control performance of the rocket’s engine.
3. World War II and the Postwar Era
Pre-viewing question
Q: Name the first country to launch a satellite into space.
A: It was the Soviet Union.
Post-viewing question
Q: What is a g-force?
A: G-force stands for gravitational force, which is equal to the force exerted on an object by gravity. One
G-force equals the weight of an object.
4. The Mercury and Gemini Programs
Pre-viewing question
Q: What do you know about the Mercury Seven astronauts?
A: Answers will vary.
Post-viewing question
Q: Who were the first cosmonaut and the first astronaut to travel in space?
A: Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to travel in space in April 1961. One month
later, American astronaut Alan Shepard became the second human to go into space.
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Rockets
Teacher’s Guide
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5. The Apollo Program
Pre-viewing question
Q: Who was the first person to set foot upon the moon?
A: American astronaut Neil Armstrong.
Post-viewing question
Q: What type of rocket launched the Apollo 11 capsule into space?
A: A Saturn 5 rocket launched the Apollo 11 capsule into space.
6. The Force of Friction
Pre-viewing question
Q: List examples of friction.
A: Answers will vary.
Post-viewing question
Q: Why are heat shields crucial to spacecraft?
A: The friction created by a spacecraft falling through the Earth’s atmosphere creates an enormous
amount of heat, and the shields prevent a spacecraft from burning on reentry.
7. Apollo-Soyuz Project
Pre-viewing question
Q: What do you know about the Cold War between the United States and the Soviet Union?
A: Answers will vary.
Post-viewing question
Q: What was the purpose of the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz project?
A: The purpose was to have American and Russian space capsules rendezvous while in Earth’s orbit, and
it was the first time the two nations worked together on a space mission.
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Rockets
Teacher’s Guide
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8. The Shuttle Program
Pre-viewing question
Q: What are the names of the five space shuttles built by NASA?
A: The existing fleet consists of Atlantis, Endeavor, and Discovery. Challenger exploded during a launch
in 1986 and Columbia disintegrated upon reentry during a 2003 mission.
Post-viewing question
Q: What part of the space shuttle is not reusable?
A: The only part of the space shuttle that is not reusable is the large fuel tank.
Credit
Robyn Kurth, freelance writer
Published by Discovery Education. © 2006. All rights reserved.
EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 1
Pre-Test
Name ______________
Directions: Answer the following questions in the space provided.
1.
What is a space walk?
2.
What difficulties are associated with space travel?
3.
What is Newton’s Third Law of Motion?
4.
Which country developed V-2 rockets during World War II? How were these rockets
important?
5.
Who is known as the “father of rocketry”?
6.
How is the space shuttle different from the Saturn 5 rocket?
7.
How are solid fuel and liquid fuel rockets different?
8.
How do astronauts turn and maneuver capsules while in space?
9.
Why do space vehicles have heat shields for reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere?
10.
In outer space the astronauts can turn the rocket engine off and still continue to travel at
their current speed. How is this possible?
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 2
Program Quiz
Name ______________
1. What country’s rocket program became the basis for the space programs of the United
States and the U.S.S.R.?
2. What must spacesuits supply to protect astronauts or cosmonauts when they are away
from the Earth’s protective atmosphere?
3. Why do astronauts working on the moon bounce around so effortlessly?
4. What is the third law of motion proposed by Isaac Newton?
5. How is it possible that the engines of a spacecraft can be turned off and the vehicle will
continue to move forward at the same speed?
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 3
Vocabulary
Name ______________
Directions: Pick the definition in column II that best matches the word in column I. Write the
letter of the definition on the blank line.
I
1. space walk _______
II
a. First human sent into space and first to orbit the
Earth
2. docking _______
3. third law of motion_______
b. For every action there is an opposite and equal
reaction.
4. Robert Goddard_______
c. First American to walk in space
5. Isaac Newton _______
d. Huge three-stage rocket used to send astronauts to
the moon
6. Alan Shepard ______
e. To leave the capsule while in space
7. Yuri Gargarin_______
f. The first satellite to orbit the Earth
8. Ed White_______
g. The father of rocketry
9. Saturn 5_______
10. solid fuel rocket_________
h. A vehicle that could carry two astronauts around on
the moon
11. liquid fuel rocket ________
i. German rockets developed during World War II
12. V-2 rocket ______
j.
13. Sputnik _______
k. Once this rocket ignites there is no way to turn it off.
14. lunar rover _______
l. Famous scientist who established the laws of motion
over 300 years ago
To have two space capsules join together
15. Skylab _______
m. A rocket engine that can be controlled
n. First American space laboratory
o. First American sent into space
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 4
Outer Space Conditions
Name _______________
Beyond the atmosphere of our planet is outer space. The conditions in outer space are very
harsh. Spacesuits and spacecraft must provide protection from harmful ultraviolet radiation as
well as provide the basic life-support needs of humans. Here are some of the conditions of outer
space.
¾ The vacuum of space means there are no gases present. This means that the gases
required by the astronauts must be carried within the spacecraft and spacesuits.
¾ There is no pressure in space. On Earth we are subjected to air pressure all the time. Air
pressure on Earth is 14.7 pounds per square inch. The spacecraft and spacesuits must be
pressurized to protect the astronauts.
¾ Temperatures in outer space vary tremendously. Temperatures on the side of a planet or
spacecraft facing the sun can be as high as 120 degrees Celsius. The shaded side can be as
low as minus 100 degrees Celsius.
¾ The sun gives off a constant flow of damaging rays of radiation. Exposure to these rays
damages living cells.
Assignment: Write a paper about the conditions of outer space and how astronauts are
protected from hazards as well as provided with the means to stay alive. Use a separate sheet of
paper.
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 5
The Space Shuttle and Saturn 5
Name _______________
Directions: Compare the Saturn 5 rocket—used to send astronauts to the moon—with the space
shuttle. How are they different?
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 6
Space Station
Name _______________
Life in space is very different from life on Earth.
Directions: Write a story about living on a space station in orbit around the Earth. What
hardships would you face? How would normal activities be different in space? What are
some of the exciting things that you can do in a weightless environment?
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 7
Capsules
Name ______________
The space capsules used for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions were very small and
confining. The space available to the travelers was often no larger than a small closet.
Directions: Imagine you are one of these early space pioneers. What would it be like to stay in
such a small space for hours and days at a time?
How is the space capsule controlled? How is it turned?
How do the astronauts reduce the space capsule’s speed for reentry into the Earth’s
atmosphere?
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 8
Moon Flight
Name _______________
The Apollo missions to the moon were very complicated. The Saturn 5 rocket was as tall as a 40story building and as powerful as 85 hydroelectric power plants. The three-stage rocket was
designed to safely propel the three astronauts to the moon and back again. All their needs
(oxygen, food, pressure) had to be carried aboard the spacecraft.
Directions: On a separate sheet of paper describe what is happening at the numbered spots on the
diagram of a moon launch shown below.
1
2
3
4
5
7
6
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 9
The Space Race
Name _______________
During the 1950s and 1960s the Russians concentrated on being first to accomplish such feats as:
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
¾
First to orbit a satellite
First to orbit an animal
First to send a man into space
First to send a woman into space
First to send two people in the same capsule
First to send two capsules into orbit at the same time
First to dock, or join, two orbiting capsules
First to walk in space
First to send an unmanned space vehicle to the moon
First to take pictures of the far side of the moon
For many years the Russian space program led the way with a long list of accomplishments.
This era was known as the space race.
1. Why do you think the two super powers, the United States and the Soviet Union, were engaged
in a race to be first at accomplishing the milestones listed above?
2. In the eyes of the world, which country seemed to be winning the space race and why was this
important to them?
3. How are things different today as far as cooperation and assistance between countries in the
exploration of space?
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 10
Spaceship Earth
Name _______________
The Earth is in constant motion. As residents of this planet, we seldom realize or appreciate the
tremendous speed at which Earth is traveling through space. We orbit the sun at a speed of
109,500 km per hour. The sun and its planets travel in orbit around the center of our galaxy at the
speed of 250 km per second. The entire galaxy is moving through the universe at the speed of 600
km per second. If we combine all this motion, it works out to about 900 km per second. That is an
incredible speed.
Directions: We might think of our planet as a huge spaceship traveling at fantastic speeds
through the universe. What does planet Earth do to meet our needs? We must be protected from
harmful rays from the sun, from space debris such as meteoroids, and of course we need certain
things for life-support. Write an essay about the way “Spaceship Earth” provides for our needs
and protects us from the dangers of space travel.
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 11
Partial Vacuum
Name _______________
The air of our atmosphere presses down on the Earth with an air pressure of almost 15
pounds per square inch. We are accustomed to this pressure and it strikes us from all
directions.
Purpose: This experiment will demonstrate the power of air pressure.
Materials:
empty metal container (ditto fluid or other 1-gallon can)
hot plate
water
oven mitt
Procedures:
1.
Pour some water into the can (about 2 cm deep).
2.
Place the can on the hot plate and remove the screw top cap from the can.
3.
Heat the water in the can so that it boils. You should see steam escaping from
the can.
4.
Using the oven mitt carefully take the can off the hot plate and screw the cap on.
Then quickly place the can under a stream of cold water or into a bath of ice
water.
Observations: What happens when the can is placed in the cold water?
Conclusions:
1.
Describe what happened inside the can when the water was boiling, when it
was capped, and when the cold water was poured over the can.
2.
Explain why the can collapsed when the cold water was poured over it.
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 12
Post-Test
Name ______________
Directions: Answer the following questions in the space provided.
1. There are two kinds of rockets—solid fuel and liquid fuel. How are they different
from each other?
2. The booster rockets on the space shuttle are solid fuel engines but the main shuttle
engines are liquid fuel. Why?
3. Which United States president made a speech to congress challenging our country to
send a man safely to the moon?
4. Who was the American scientist considered to be the “father of rocketry”?
5. The space program for the United States and the former U.S.S.R. actually started
after World War II. At that time each of these countries captured V-2 rocket parts
and scientists from what nation?
6. What is a space walk?
7. What conditions in outer space make space travel difficult?
8. Rockets work because of Newton’s Third Law of Motion. What is that law?
9. What does it mean to dock in space?
10. What problems are associated with weightlessness in outer space?
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Masters Answer Key
Blackline Master 1—Answer Key
Pre-Test
1. What is a space walk?
The term “space walk” describes the activity of an astronaut or
cosmonaut who leaves the space capsule or spacecraft to move about the
outside of the vehicle.
2. What difficulties are associated with space travel?
Space has no oxygen to breathe. There is no air pressure or atmosphere.
Our bodies are accustomed to 14.7 pounds per square inch of air
pressure. Temperatures are extreme in space. There is dangerous
radiation given off by the sun.
3. What is Newton’s Third Law of Motion?
For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.
4. Which country developed V-2 rockets during World War II? How were
these rockets important?
Germany invented the V-2 rockets during World War II. These were the
first large-scale successful liquid fuel rockets. Captured German
scientists and V-2 rockets formed the basis of the space programs for the
United States and the Soviet Union.
5. Who is known as the “father of rocketry”?
The American Robert Goddard was known as the father of rocketry for
his advances in liquid fuel rocket design.
6. How is the space shuttle different from the Saturn 5 rocket?
The space shuttle is intended to be used over and over again for low to
medium altitude trips into Earth orbit. Everything is recovered and
reused except for the fuel tank. The Saturn 5 rocket was built for one
purpose, to get astronauts to the moon and back safely. Only the space
capsule was recovered.
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7. How are solid fuel and liquid fuel rockets different?
A solid fuel rocket engine will burn all of its fuel once it is ignited. There
is no stopping it. A liquid fuel rocket engine can be controlled by
adjusting the amount of fuel, so it can be turned off and restarted.
8. How do astronauts turn and maneuver capsules while in space?
On the sides of a capsule are small jets, which can be used to turn the
capsule in any direction. When astronauts release gases out of these jets
the capsule moves in the opposite direction.
9.Why do space vehicles have heat shields for reentry into the Earth’s
atmosphere?
The heat shield is used to protect the space vehicle. During reentry the
friction between the speeding vehicle and the atmosphere builds up
causing a tremendous increase in heat. Without the heat shield the
capsule would burn up like a meteor.
10. In outer space the astronauts can turn the rocket engine off and still
continue to travel at their current speed. How is this possible?
There are no gases in outer space to slow the vehicle down, so the space
capsule continues at the speed it has reached.
EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 2—Answer Key
Program Quiz
1. What country’s rocket program became the basis for the space programs
of the United States and the U.S.S.R.?
The German rocket program developed during World War II became the
basis for the space programs in the United States and the U.S.S.R.
2. What must spacesuits supply to protect astronauts or cosmonauts when
they are away from the Earth’s protective atmosphere?
Spacesuits have to supply oxygen, a comfortable temperature, air
pressure, and protection from harmful rays released by the sun.
3. Why do astronauts working on the moon bounce around so effortlessly?
The moon only has 1/6 the gravity of Earth, so astronauts bounce around
easily.
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4. What is the third law of motion proposed by Isaac Newton?
For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.
5. How is it possible that the engines of a spacecraft can be turned off and the
vehicle will continue to move forward at the same speed?
In space there is no atmosphere with gases to slow down a moving object.
So even with the engine off the space vehicle continues to travel at its
current speed.
EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 3—Answer Key
Vocabulary
I
1. space walk _e_____
2. docking _j_____
3. third law of motion_b_____
4. Robert Goddard_g_____
5. Isaac Newton _l_____
6. Alan Shepard _o____
7. Yuri Gargarin _a____
8. Ed White_c____
9. Saturn 5_d____
10. solid fuel rocket_k______
11. liquid fuel rocket _m_____
12. V-2 rocket _i___
13. Sputnik _f____
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14. lunar rover _h____
15. Skylab _n____
EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 4—Answer Key
Outer Space Conditions
Contents and conclusions of students’ papers will vary.
EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 5—Answer Key
The Space Shuttle and Saturn 5
Compare the Saturn 5 rocket—used to send astronauts to the moon—with the
space shuttle. How are they different?
The space shuttle is intended to be used over and over again for low to medium
altitude trips into Earth orbit. Everything is recovered and reused except for the
fuel tank. The Saturn 5 rocket was built for one purpose, to get astronauts to the
moon and back safely. Only the space capsule was recovered.
EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 6—Answer Key
Space Station
Students’ space station stories will vary.
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 7—Answer Key
Capsules
Imagine you are one of these early space pioneers. What would it be like to stay
in such a small space for hours and days at a time?
Answers will vary.
How is the space capsule controlled? How is it turned?
The space capsule is turned and controlled by small jets on its sides. Gas is shot
out a jet and the capsule responds in the opposite direction.
How do the astronauts reduce the space capsule’s speed for reentry into the
Earth’s atmosphere?
The astronauts turn the capsule so that the retro-rocket engine on its underside is
facing forward. The retro-rocket makes contact with the atmosphere first. The
retro-rocket engine is fired in the direction that the capsule is heading. This
reduces the capsule’s speed.
EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 8—Answer Key
Moon Flight
1. The third stage lifts the astronauts into orbit around the Earth.
2. The third stage engine is fired again to break out of Earth orbit and head
for the moon.
3. The third stage engine is turned off and the command module disconnects
and moves away.
4. The command module turns around and docks with the lunar lander,
which is inside the top part of the third stage. The lunar lander is
removed.
5. The command module and lunar lander continue to the moon.
6. Once in orbit around the moon, two astronauts move into the lunar lander
and detach from the command module. They use rockets on the lunar
lander to reduce their descent and to land on the surface of the moon. One
astronaut stays in the command module orbiting the moon.
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7. Astronauts explore the moon and set up experiments. When it is time to
leave, they climb back into the lunar lander and blast off from the surface
using the bottom of the lunar lander as a launch pad. They meet up and
dock with the command module.
EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 9—Answer Key
The Space Race
1. Why do you think the two super powers, the United States and the Soviet
Union, were engaged in a race to be first at accomplishing the milestones
listed above?
These two super powers were constantly in competition with each other.
To be first at conquering space would impress other countries. Each of the
super powers wanted to be considered the most powerful country in the
world.
2. In the eyes of the world, which country seemed to be winning the space
race and why was this important to them?
For many years during the space race it appeared that the Soviet Union
was leading the way. They wanted the world to regard their scientists as
the best on Earth.
3. How are things different today as far as cooperation and assistance
between countries in the exploration of space?
Today there is much more cooperation in the exploration of space. It is too
expensive for one country to explore space on its own. The International
Space Station is an example of many nations working together to build a
laboratory and habitat in Earth orbit.
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 10—Answer Key
Spaceship Earth
Answers might include:
The Earth’s atmosphere protects us from harmful rays from the sun and meteors
from outer space. The space rocks and metals that fall into our atmosphere burn
up because of the friction between the debris and the atmospheric gases. Earth
recycles water, gases and nutrients so that there is always a supply of oxygen
and water for our survival.
EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 11—Answer Key
Partial Vacuum
1.
Describe what happened inside the can when the water was boiling, when
it was capped, and when the cold water was poured over the can.
When the can was on the hot plate, the water inside began to boil. Some of
the water turned to steam, taking up much of the space inside the can.
When the can was taken off the hot plate and capped, the steam was
trapped inside. When the can had cold water poured onto it, the steam
changed from a gas to a liquid. Steam takes up more space than does
liquid, so the pressure inside the can was reduced. The outside pressure
around the can crushed the can in an attempt to balance the pressure
inside and outside the can.
2.
Explain why the can collapsed when the cold water was poured over it.
The cold water lowered the temperature of the steam inside the can. When
the temperature of the steam was lowered, it changed back to liquid
water. The steam had occupied a lot of room in the can, but now it was a
liquid again and it didn’t occupy as much space. The outside air pressure
crushed the can in an attempt to fill this empty space.
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EXPLORING SPACE
Rockets
Blackline Master 12—Answer Key
Post-Test
1. There are two kinds of rockets—solid fuel and liquid fuel. How are they
different from each other?
Once a solid fuel rocket is ignited it can’t be stopped until all the fuel is
gone. A liquid fuel rocket can be controlled. It can be stopped and
restarted and the amount of fuel can be regulated so that the power of
the rocket is controlled.
2. The booster rockets on the space shuttle are solid fuel engines but the
main shuttle engines are liquid fuel. Why?
Liquid fuel engines are used as the main engines for the space shuttle
because this type of engine can be controlled.
3. Which United States president made a speech to congress challenging
our country to send a man safely to the moon?
John F. Kennedy
4. Who was the American scientist considered to be the “father of
rocketry”?
Robert Goddard
5. The space program for the United States and the former U.S.S.R. actually
started after World War II. At that time each of these countries captured
V-2 rocket parts and scientists from what nation?
Germany
6. What is a space walk?
The term “space walk” describes the activity of an astronaut or
cosmonaut leaving the space capsule and moving around outside.
7. What conditions in outer space make space travel difficult?
There is no oxygen or food. Radiation from the sun is very dangerous.
Temperatures are extreme.
8. Rockets work because of Newton’s Third Law of Motion. What is that
law?
For every action there is an opposite and equal reaction.
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9. What does it mean to dock in space?
When two spacecraft join and connect that is called a docking.
10. What problems are associated with weightlessness in outer space?
Weightlessness can cause problems with food. Crumbs can float around
and get into equipment. Normal tools such as wrenches and hammers
don’t work well in a weightless environment. New tools had to be
designed for space. In a weightless environment it is very important that
astronauts and cosmonauts exercise to keep their bodies in good shape.
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