space Flashcards
What are the benefits of space exploration?
Communication – modern communication uses satellites.
Satellite navigation
jobs
mapping
weather monitoring
what are the risks and costs of space exploration?
Pollution of space with debris from satellites and spacecraft. There is a risk that some debris may fall to Earth and reach the Earth’s surface. The risk of being hit is infinitely small though
Danger to life – several astronauts have lost their lives in both the Apollo Moon missions and shuttle missions.
Cost – the budget for space exploration is high. Could that money be better spent elsewhere?
what is gravitational field strength?
The force due to gravity per unit mass
what is meant by the orbital period of a satellite?
The time taken for the satellite to do one full rotation around the earth
what are heat shields for and how do they work?
Heat shields are designed to change state and break off on reentry. When a substance changes state it’s temperature stays constant and damage to the spacecraft is avoided.
