The Shuttle Program

1. The Shuttle Program

2. Warm Up Questions CPS Questions (1-2) Chapter 7, Lesson 1

3. Chapter Overview The Shuttle Program Lessons Learned: Challenger and Columbia Chapter 7, Lesson 1

4. Lesson Overview • Why the space shuttle was developed • The space shuttle’s main features • The shuttle’s legacy Chapter 7, Lesson 1

5. Quick Write Imagine you were one of the astronauts aboard Endeavour. What about the mission would be of most concern or interest to you? (Note to teacher: Use “Pick a Student” button in CPS) Chapter 7, Lesson 1

6. Why the Space Shuttle Was Developed The space shuttle began as part of a larger vision at NASA for what to do after the country had reached the Moon The idea of a space shuttle grew of this vision To save money, NASA planned to develop a fully reusable spacecraft Had to be capable of delivering satellites to space and carry out repair missions Chapter 7, Lesson 1

7. The Original Six Orbiters • “Orbiter” is NASA’s term for “the space shuttle” • First orbiter was the Enterprise • Columbia was the first orbiter delivered to Kennedy Space Center in March 1979 • Challenger started out as a test vehicle. But it eventually made it into space Courtesy of NASA/DRFC Chapter 7, Lesson 1

8. The Original Six Orbiters, cont. The third space worthy orbiter was Discovery—it arrived for the first time in Florida in November 1983 The construction of Atlantis began on 3 March 1980 Endeavour was authorized by Congress to replace Challenger Chapter 7, Lesson 1

9. The Shuttle’s First Mission • Columbia was the first of the space shuttles to go into outer space on 12 April 1981 • Goals were to check out the overall system, ascend safely into orbit, and return safely to Earth • Post-flight inspection revealed that the ship had lost 16 heat-shield tiles and that an additional 148 had been damaged Courtesy of NASA Chapter 7, Lesson 1

10. The Shuttle’s Main Features: The Orbiter • Brains and the heart of the shuttle • It contains a pressurized crew compartment, a huge cargo bay, and three engines mounted aft – the rear of a spacecraft or any other ship • Orbiter is boosted into space partly on the strength of those engines – but mostly on the power of the solid rocket boosters (SRBs) Courtesy of NASA Chapter 7, Lesson 1

11. The Shuttle’s Main Engines • Three main engines operate for 8.5 minutes after launch • The engines provide thrust – that is, they push the shuttle forward • During acceleration, engines burn through half a million gallons of liquid propellant Courtesy of NASA Chapter 7, Lesson 1

12. The External Tank and the Solid Rocket Boosters • Main engines get their propellants from the huge rust-colored external tank (ET) - the fuel tank burns up in the Earth’s atmosphere • Solid rocket boosters (SRBs) provide most of the power for the first two minutes of a shuttle flight • Empty boosters fall away into the Atlantic; the recovery crew tows them back to the launch site Courtesy of NASA/Jack Pfaller Chapter 7, Lesson 1

13. The Shuttle Crew Positions • Commander is the ship’s captain • Mission pilot helps control and fly the ship • Mission specialists manage the mission’s activities • The focus of the payload specialist is on specific payloads • Foreign nationals fly aboard the shuttle as payload specialists Courtesy of NASA/Cory Huston Chapter 7, Lesson 1

14. The Shuttle’s Legacy • For nearly 30 years, NASA’s space shuttles have served as the foundation for the human spaceflight program in the United States • The shuttle program’s most important legacy is its reminder that human spaceflight must always be treated with respect Courtesy of NASA/Ben Cooper Chapter 7, Lesson 1

15. Learning Check CPS Questions (3-4) Chapter 7, Lesson 1

16. Activity 1: Space Shuttle Pictionary You have one minute to attempt to draw what is on your card until your teammates can guess what it is! Chapter 7, Lesson 1

17. Activity 2: Space Shuttle Glider Put together a model of the space shuttle. Then determine the scale and glide ratio for your model. Be prepared to share your findings with the class. Chapter 7, Lesson 1

18. Activity 3: The Legacies of Shuttle “Firsts” • Individually read the section in the textbook (pages 315-318) on your assigned astronaut and answer the reflection questions on your worksheet • Then gather in your group to discuss your assigned astronaut and your answers to the questions. Be prepared to share your group’s discussion with the class Chapter 7, Lesson 1

19. Technology Enrichment: Space Shuttle PowerPoint In your assigned groups, create a PowerPoint presentation that highlights the different features of the space shuttle from the textbook - the orbiter, main engines, external tank and solid rocket boosters Chapter 7, Lesson 1

20. Review The space shuttle was developed to be a fully reusable spacecraft There are six orbiters which is what most people think of as the space shuttle The main features of the space shuttle are the orbiter, the main engines, the external tank and the solid rocket boosters For nearly 30 years, NASA’s space shuttles have served as the foundation for the human-spaceflight program in the United States Chapter 7, Lesson 1

21. Review Questions CPS Questions (5-6) Chapter 7, Lesson 1

22. Summary Why the space shuttle was developed The space shuttle’s main features The shuttle’s legacy Chapter 7, Lesson 1

23. Next… • Done – The Shuttle Program • Next – Lessons Learned: Challenger and Columbia Courtesy of NASA Chapter 7, Lesson 1