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SPACE MISSIONS. Arial Font. NASA. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Founded in 1958 Mixes Science, Technology, and Politics NASA’s Primary Mission Pioneer the future of space exploration , scientific discovery and aeronautics research
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SPACE MISSIONS Arial Font
NASA • National Aeronautics and Space Administration • Founded in 1958 • Mixes Science, Technology, and Politics • NASA’s Primary Mission • Pioneer the future of space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research • NASA’s Goals for Aeronautics (science of design and operation of aircraft) • Improve airspace capacity and mobility • Improve aviation safety • Improve aircraft performance, reduce noise and emissions and fuel burn
NASA’s FOUR MISSION DIRECTORATES • Mission Directorate: Organizations that carry out the work • FOUR MAIN ORGANIZATIONS • Space Operations: provides technical support for the space launches, the ISS and flight support • Science: Charts space missions and applies discoveries to benefit society as a whole • Exploration Systems: develops new, efficient spacecraft for both robotic and manned missions • Aeronautics: Develop/test new flight technologies for space and in turn have practical applications on earth • Aeronautics get craft into space—Exploration Systems—those used in space
LATEST ACCOMPLISHMENTS • Space: • Mars Rovers: Spirit and Opportunity • Cassini circling Saturn • Hubble Telescope • Voyager I and Voyager II: 3 times further from the sun than Pluto • ISS is studying climate, oceans, and weather • Aeronautics: • Jet engine casings • Deicing technology • Improved wings for fixed and rotor
NASA’s COMPETITION • European Space Agency (ESA): combined nations’ strength • Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos)—inherited MIR Space Station activities and is combining with Japan • China: Third nation to put a man in space in 2003—aggressively pursuing with possible military applications • Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO): lunar orbiter, Chandrayaan-1 within 30 years of its first satellite • Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA): resupply of ISS
Researching A Mission • Starts with an idea—a goal • Will determine what type of mission • Manned • Robotic • Observatory Station • Near Earth or Deep Space • Determines the technology needed and data that will be collected
ELEMENTS OF A MISSION • Launch Vehicle —the rocket that propels the spacecraft • Rockets require engines that are different from • Jets use air drawn in from the outside • Rockets use their own gases • Payload —cargo the rocket is to carry • Launch Vehicle and Payload are shipped and assembled at Kennedy Space Center • Florida chosen as near the equator and allowed launch over water
FOUR CATEGORIES OF ASTRONAUTS • COMMANDERS: In charge of organizing and leading the mission • PILOTS: Steer/operate the vessel • MISSION SPECIALISTS: Manage equipment and supplies as well as conduct experiments • PAYLOAD SPECIALISTS: Supplement the mission specialists when experiments require more than a 5-member crew—can be foreign member
Qualifications for the Pilot/Commander • Bachelors Degree in math, science or engineering • Most likely as Masters Degree • 1000 hours as a command pilot • Test pilots are preferable • Pass a physical • 20/20 correctable • Blood Pressure of 140/90 or better • Height 64-76 inches • US citizen—not to include payload specialist
Requirements for Mission or Payload Specialists • Same degree requirements but can be a specialist in a particular field • Don’t have to have pilot time • Vision can be less and as short as 58.5 inches • Payload specialists ARE NOT PART OF THE ASTRONAUT CANDIDATE PROGRAM • Still need the experience for conducting experiments • May be nominated from a foreign country