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9.9 Option – Space science: 6. Spin-offs in every day life
| Syllabus reference (October 2002 version) | ||
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| 6. The technologies developed
for space exploration have impacted on many different aspects of society |
Students learn to:
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Students: |
Extract from Senior Science Syllabus
(Amended October 2002) © Board of Studies, NSW.
[Edit: 19 September 08]
Background: People today use many of the technologies that are spin-offs from space exploration without even realizing it. Some of the technologies were available before but have been improved and refined by the space industry. Those improvements then benefit all the users. An important more general spin-off is the attitude towards the environment. It was not until the astronauts on Apollo 8 looked down on the planet Earth that the fragility of planet and how much more we need to take care of it was fully realized
gather
and analyse information from secondary
sources to assess the impact that spin-offs from space research have had on
society and debate the value in continuing the space program
- Use books from the library and use the Internet to gather information about spin-offs from the space program.
- As the space program has been continuing for over
forty years you may decide to just research spin-offs that have occurred in
the last ten years or you might prefer to research earlier spin-offs. If you
research recent ones you will need to get most of your information from the
Internet. One site is the NASA scientific and technical information spinoff database
NASA, USA.
Type in any aspect, eg health or environment that you are interested in. Another
site is United Nations Office
for Outer Space Affairs . Scroll down to Online resources relating to the
Programme on Space Applications and click on any area you are interested in.
- Discuss and assess the impacts of these spin-offs on society. Who have they benefited and how have they benefited society in general?
- Consider the costs of the space program and use this information in analysing the value of the space program. You may wish to consider not just spin-offs but other benefits of the space program like increased knowledge about space and the other planets.
identify
some of the materials used in space suits and relate their properties to the
conditions that astronauts may experience
- The two inner layers of the shuttle space suit consist of a liquid-cooling and ventilation garment which is made of spandex (lycra) fabric and plastic tubing.
- Next comes the pressure bladder made of urethane-coated nylon and fabric layer of pressure-restraining Dacron.
- This is followed by a seven-layered thermal micrometeoroid garment of aluminised Mylar, laminated with Dacron and topped with a single layer fabric combination of Gortex, Kevlar, and Nomex materials.
- Spandex, more commonly known as lycra, is a stretchy synthetic material which would be comfortable close to the body. It does not break down with exposure to body oils, perspiration, lotions, or detergents so will last well.
- Dacron has high tensile strength, high resistance to stretching and good resistance to degradation by chemicals and to abrasion. It would wear well in a space suit.
- Mylar has outstanding heat and chemical resistance, and the aluminised form provides a micro meteorite shield.
- Gortex isn't really a fabric. It is a membrane that is then sandwiched between two layers of fabric. The gortex membrane doesn't allow large water droplets (such as rain) to pass through but does allow moisture (like in your breath or your sweat) to pass through. The gortex would help take the sweat away from the body and keep the astronaut more warm and comfortable.
- Kevlar is light-weight and strong (stronger than steel, at 1/5th the weight and three times stronger than nylon and polyester). It is a good insulator and doesn’t shrink or expand within a wide range of temperatures. It is flame resistant and self-extinguishing. This would be a good protective layer to protect the astronauts from impact or from fire.
- Nomex will not decompose, melt or char when it is burnt. It is both chemically and thermally very stable and is resistant to ultra-violet rays.
identify many of the spin-offs from space programs that have impacted on consumers including
- life support systems
- pacemakers
- thermal blankets
- ceramics
- miniaturisation of computer systems, calculators, mobile phones
- composite materials from carbon fibres
- foodstuffs
- packaging
and compare the original use of the material to its current use in society
Life support systems.
- Both on earlier missions and even more so on the International Space Station (ISS) wastes need to be removed and treated efficiently and fresh oxygen needs to be provided. Short missions brought back their solid and liquid wastes but on the ISS they will be treated and reused where possible.
- Earlier missions obtained water from the fuel when hydrogen combined with oxygen. On the ISS plants will be grown hydroponically, using fertiliser from human waste. The plants will also provide fresh oxygen. Oxygen will be produced from the chemical breakdown of water. Water, including urine, will be recycled and used.
- The carbon dioxide produced by humans will be removed and used by the plants.
The development of life support systems
in space has led to more efficient recycling systems in places such as hospitals.
Pacemakers
- These were used on Apollo to monitor and keep the astronauts hearts beating normally if any problem occurred. They are programmable and can be changed if necessary using radio and without surgery.
- This has brought huge benefits to elderly people who need a pacemaker today, especially if they live in more remote areas and can’t get to a doctor easily.
Thermal blankets
- These were first used on spacecraft in the 1960s to protect them from the extreme cold of space.
- Today they are used by people who go into cold temperatures here on Earth such as people exploring or doing research in the Antarctic or Arctic or people who are camping or skiing and may need to spend time outside, overnight in an emergency. They are used by emergency care people for hypothermia treatment, first aid, shock, rescues, disasters and evacuations.
- They help create an "air barrier" by the nature of the material, it being windproof, waterproof and reflective and by the "trapped air" from your body held inside the blanket. This helps keep you warm and protected from the elements.
Ceramics
- Ceramic tiles were developed for the shuttle in the 70’s so they could withstand the immense heat when the spacecraft entered the Earth’s atmosphere for return to Earth.
- This material is now used in industry where high temperatures are needed such as in a blast furnace. Ceramics have also been developed that are not so brittle and so much more durable. They are now used in such diverse things as engines and television tubes. Another form of ceramic is useful in making prosthetics.
Miniaturisation of computer systems, calculators and mobile phones.
- In the 50’s and 60’s scientists were constantly looking for smaller electronic equipment that was lighter and took up less space in the spacecraft.
- This technology was then able to be transferred to electronic equipment on Earth. People like smaller and lighter lap top computers that do as much as their PCs do. They like mobile phones that can be put into a pocket or handbag. Industry likes smaller electronic systems as they need less material and fit into a smaller space, so saving money. As better technology is used these systems can do more than the larger, older ones did.
- The space era brought about such rapid miniaturization that it was called microminiaturization. As it became more popular it became cheaper. Today miniaturization is continuing at a rapid pace.
Composite materials from carbon fibres.
- This material is desirable as it is durable, strong and lightweight. One composite material is a silicon-carbon composite that is coated with boron nitride. This material withstands high temperatures. The durability is increased about 1 000 times so greatly extends the life of the product.
Foodstuffs
- In planning for the long duration Apollo missions, NASA conducted extensive research into spacefood. Desirable food has a long shelf life, tastes pleasant and is lightweight.
- One of the techniques developed was freeze drying. This technique was commercialized, concentrating on snack food including the first freeze-dried ice cream.
- The foods are cooked, quickly frozen and then slowly heated in a vacuum chamber to remove the ice crystals formed by the freezing process. The final product retains 98 percent of its nutrition and weighs only 20 percent of its original weight.
- Today there are many foodbars that are freeze dried and sealed. They have a wide range of uses including being taken on camping and bushwalking trips and being used in children’s lunches at school. They are nutritious and keep well.
Packaging
- Space travel needs packaging that is light and keeps the food well, thus ensuring it is appetising. This food packaging has been developed for Earth use to meet a multiple packaging material need: good eye appeal, product protection for long periods and the ability to be used successfully on a wide variety of food.
- Good food packaging should effectively block out light, moisture and oxygen thus giving the packaged food long shelf life.
Spinoffs discussed by Dr Jack Bacon, NASA Engineer and Futurist Centre for Learning Inovation, DET. Scroll down until you see Dr Jack Bacon, then click on Science Talk
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