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BTEC APPLIED SCIENCE UNIT 16 - Learning aim C + D
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C: Investigate the essential factors involved in space flight. D: Understand the fundamental concepts outlined in astrophysics and cosmology. Grade Distinction
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Emilia HawkinsUnit 16: Astronomy and Space Science
C: Investigate the essential factors involved in space flight.
What aspects need to be considered to put an object or person into space.
In order to send a person into space you need to consider the environment they are going to and
what they will need to survive in the environment. For example, astronauts need oxygen, food,
water and rest to survive, these things are not readily available in space so the amount a person will
need for the journey will need to be calculated and provided, ensuring they are stored sufficiently
without contamination or spoiling of the items.
When sending either a person or object in to space you have to consider the purpose and cost of the
doing this. Space travel is expensive and involves a lot of planning and so should only take place with
a specific purpose in mind. There are also limitations on the weight of an object as currently rocket
payloads are limited to the power of the rocket boosters. If a sufficiently heavy solution is
developed it may need many rocket payloads to be transported to space where it will need to be
assembled. This adds to the cost, complexity and risk associated with the project.
Space travel can be dangerous so equipment should be thoroughly tested and back up or emergency
(redundant) processes should be in place, ideally there are several levels of redundancy built in to
the equipment so it can with stand multiple failures and still function. Failure of any of the
equipment, may jeopardise the goal, which would be a waste of money or where people are
involved risk their lives.
Factors that have to be considered to achieve space flight.
Due to the harsh conditions of space, all materials are under severe stress and they have to be able
to last in the worst conditions without regular maintenance. The temperature can reach extreme
highs and lows depending on where the space craft will be situated. The temperature can fluctuate
between the extremes quickly, from example coming out of shadow in to full sun light. If this space
craft is going to transport or house astronauts the temperature inside the habitable areas has to be
carefully controlled and monitored to keep them alive as humans are not very tolerant of extremes
of temperature or large variations. As a rocket is being launched into space it will experience up to 3
times the force of Earth’s gravity and as it enters orbit the gravitational force will drop to almost
zero. Materials used on the rocket have to be carefully selected so that they don’t break and
weaken. The strength of materials are tested by looking at impacts, corrosion, compression, fatigue,
flammability, composition, flexure and thermomechanical analysis. Kevlar is a suitable material to
achieve space flight as it can resist impact from meteors and space junk along with being able to
withstand extreme temperatures. When combined with other metals to produce an alloy, aluminium
can be used because very lightweight. In space, where objects can travel at very fast speeds, even
small objects have sufficient energy to damage a space craft as was seen recently when the James
Webb telescope was stuck by a micrometeoroid which damaged the main mirror of the telescope.
Choosing the correct fuel for space flight is also important as it has to be able to fully launch an
object into space whilst being easy to get in large quantities. Hydrogen is used by NASA as rocket
fuel because it is has the lowest molecular weight of any known substance and is powerful as it
burns very well. Liquid hydrogen can be mixed with liquid oxygen to increase the efficiency in
, Emilia Hawkins
relation to the amount of fuel used. Both of these chemicals have to be stored at incredibly low
temperatures so that they don’t evaporate or boil off. The tanks on the rocket which contain fuel
have to be highly insulated to protect the fuel from any kind of heat from the engine exhaust, air
friction and also the sun. Liquid hydrogen also has the ability to leak through the cracks in in the
metal or through gaps in the welded seams. Hydrogen is the most efficient fuel source and also
sustainable in the long term as it is not a fossil fuel. Unless fuel can be captured during space flight,
all the fuel needed by the space vehicle has to be brought from earth which can limit the duration
and distance the space vehicle can travel.
Escape velocity is the minimum speed required for a rocket to escape the gravitational influence of
the Earth and enter space. It can be calculated by using the radius of the planet, newton’s universal
constant of gravity and the mass of the planet. In the case of Earth, a rocket must reach a top speed
of 11km/s to ensure it leaves the atmosphere. If escape velocity is not reached when launching an
object into space, it won’t break free of the gravitational influence and will be stuck orbiting the
planet it is trying to escape from. If the flight path of the object is not correct and it intersects a
planet or the surface of the Earth, it will crash. Calculating the escape velocity is important because if
it is calculated incorrectly it could lead to the loss of valuable equipment and even possibly human
life.
Cost is an important factor that has to be considered when putting an object into space as when all
the required aspects are added up it will become expensive. The manufacture process is involved in
producing a new robotic space craft is a trial and error process which can take many years. Obtaining
and storing large amounts of liquid hydrogen and oxygen is expensive as they have to be stored in a
very specific environment.
Communication is also an important for both astronauts and people in space but also for scientists
that are on Earth. It allows for missions to be carried out more safely as astronauts and experts can
communicate about any problems they are having. This means that control systems on Earth can
diagnose and fix issues remotely and keep the astronauts safe. Communication uses a transmitter
and a receiver to transport information through electromagnetic waves. Astronauts have
communication devices called a Communications Carrier Assembly (CCA) put into their suits which
contain both speakers for the ear and a microphone to talk into. These protective space suits are
used when astronauts leave the space station and keep the safe from space and the communication
devices are used to stay in contact with other crew members and with people on Earth. Traveling
into space without any communication would make it difficult for the astronauts to stay safe.
https://www.nasa.gov/topics/technology/hydrogen/hydrogen_fuel_of_choice.html
The issues involved in preparing astronauts for space flight and how this effects humans.
The Earth’s atmosphere and magnetic field protects humans living on Earth from most of the
radiation from space. When in space, astronauts are exposed to much higher levels of radiation
coming from solar energetic particles from the sun and galactic cosmic rays. Some radiation particles
are difficult to shield from and if the body is exposed to these particles for extended periods of time
it can cause both short-term and long-term health problems. This includes an increased risk of
cancer and degenerative diseases which has serious long term impacts. The radiation that astronauts
experience in space has the potential to have a greater impact on the body when compared to the
radiation that can be experienced on Earth. To prevent astronauts from radiation and to further
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