Activity+3

__Activity 3__ =ASTRONAUTS =

=**Astronauts spend most of their time training for shuttle missions to space at the various space stations around the world. The focus of this activity will be for you to investigate the way astronauts live in space while on a mission. **=

=//**1. Read the following interview and answer the questions in a word document!- If working with a partner share your roles e.g. note taking and typing... **//= =Astronauts= The following questions were answered by astronomer Dr. Cathy Imhoff of the Space Telescope Science Institute.

//**What are the requirements to become an astronaut?**// //All astronauts have some special skills, either as pilots or scientists. So they have all gone through college and gotten some experience in their particular field. I don't know of any age requirement, but the experience that is needed would probably mean that the astronauts are at least 25, more likely over 30.//

//**When astronauts go up into outer space, what do they wear under their spacesuits?**// //I understand that it's pretty cold in space, so I bet they wear long underwear! I asked your question about what an astronaut wears to my friend, Ron. He said: Under the orange launch and entry suits we wear a pair of long johns. Since you are likely to be in the suit for several hours and since you can't open it up in any way to "go," we also wear a diaper for adults! As soon as we reach orbit we remove the suits and put on regular clothes for the duration of the mission (no diapers!).The suits are put back on just before deorbit. The EVA suits are the same with an added cooling garment that goes on over the long johns. It is like another pair of long johns with small plastic tubing woven all through it. Chilled water is circulated through it to get rid of body heat and solar heat.//

//**How can astronauts breathe in the space shuttle?**// //In order to breathe on the shuttle, they take along a supply of oxygen. There are also filters that take carbon dioxide out of the air. Did you see the movie Apollo 13? One of the biggest dangers for them was that their oxygen tank exploded, and their carbon dioxide filters were clogging up!//

//**How and what do astronauts eat in space?**// //My friend Ron was an astronaut who rode on two shuttle missions. He told me that they eat whatever doesn't have to be refrigerated. So at first they eat up the fresh fruit and vegetables, so they don't spoil. Then they eat the packaged meals that you heat up. They have to use a sort of toaster oven though, they can't use a microwave on the shuttle. I think by the end of their trip the food gets pretty boring!//

//**Why can't a person go into a spaceship with everything he needs and see all of the planets?**// //To go to Mars would take at least a year. You would need to take in your spaceship all the air, food, and toilet paper for a year. Right now you would need such a big, heavy spaceship that you couldn't launch it! So people are finding ways to reduce the weight for instance you can use plants to help generate the oxygen you need to breathe. Also we worry about what will happen to people who spend so long in weightlessness. Their bones may become so soft that they won't be able to stand up on Mars to walk around and explore!//

**-When you finish answering your Q's, make your document visually appealing!!!**
=== //**2. In pairs follow the links and work with a partner by reading and discussing the various space suites and there functions. Once you have finished your research, you will be able to use your imagination to sketch and design your own space suit. You may like to use scrap paper to sketch a draft and continue with a published copy in class using paint next week!**// ===

Link to NASA space suits: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/living/spacewear/index.html

Link to diagram of space suit: (use as an example for design) []



=== //**3. Individually or in pairs you will follow this link to the NASA website: http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/living/ ,there you will find information on what astronauts eat during their missions into space. As we know there are major differences in space, including the loss of oxygen and gravity, thus you will encounter foods which have been modified to meet the atmosphere in space. The process these foods may have taken to be preserved include being rehydrated, thermostabillized, or frozen in fresh form. **// ===

-Use your dictionary to look up the different process and write them in your Science exercise book.

-You will then need to read about what the astronauts eat for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Once you have finished this you will use Powerpoint: to create a menu for what you would like to eat in space, describing what foods you would rehydrated, thermostabilized or have still in fresh form.

=SPACE SHUTTLES AND ROCKETS =

1 . In pairs follow this link to NASA's website: http://www.nasa.gov/returntoflight/system/system_STS.html ,there you will find information on space shuttles. Whilst there discuss the information depicted and in point form jot down Five interesting facts you have discovered e.g. when did the first shuttle depart? how long was the shortest and longest stays in orbit? or what was the largest number of crew to take part in a mission? etc. Next in pairs you will use either Kidspix or Clipart to create your own version of a space shuttle or rocket. Watch this video of a shuttles take off for inspiration! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfNBGS7q9zg&feature=related

2 . Lastly you can individually follow this link: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/games/leveltwo/KC_Rocket_Builder.html to take part in the rocket making game, you may also like to try out the many other fun space games included on the NASA kids club website!