Abstract This paper provides a mission overview of the Mars Pathfinder mission ,launched in December 1996 as part of an ongoing series of Mars missions to prepare for the landing of a man on the 'red planet' in the next century. It gives a brief mission summary, followed by a scientific description focusing on how Pathfinder made it to Mars and how it surveyed Mars's atmosphere and Mars's surface. It looks at how Mars Pathfinder was not only a huge scientific success, but also gave the public, via Internet, the opportunity to participate at a space mission at a level never experienced before.
Outline
Title
Abstract
Chapter
Introduction
Mission Summary
Science Description
Spacecraft Description
Development and Manufacturing Structure
Launch Vehicle
Mission Costs
Summary
From the Paper "On December 4, 1996 the pathfinder mission was launched on a Delta II-7925 launch vehicle out of Cape Canaveral Air Station. After 211 days in space and a distance traveled of almost 300 million miles the spacecraft landed on July 4, 1997 at its destination (DLR, 2003). In order to fine-tune the flight path a series of four-trajectory correction maneuvers (TCMs) were performed throughout the journey. NASA used the Deep Space Network (DSN) for tracking, telemetry, and command operations. DSN is an international network of antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions by using giant dish antennas (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 2004)."
Abstract Scientists, environmentalists, and advocates of cheap, clean energy often tout solar energy as the answer to the world's energy problems and the energy source of the future. This paper examines whether solar energy is, indeed, the answer and whether its use on a large-scale is practical for use in the United States. It also looks at the history and types of solar energy.
From the Paper "In addition, creating solar power generators it is a much smaller endeavor than building power generators for neighborhoods and businesses. Solar energy is quiet, reliable, and safe, and it makes sense in a variety of situations. Because of this, many states, including New Jersey, are adopting stricter standards for utility companies concerning utilizing more solar power. A recent amendment by the New Jersey Legislature requires the state's electrical utilities to utilize solar power as a portion of their power generation."
Abstract The Challenger Space Shuttle exploded 73 seconds after take-off from the Kennedy Space Center on January 28, 1986, killing all 7 crew members on board. The accident threw the U.S. space program into turmoil as NASA grounded its remaining space shuttles over the next two years for redesigning of their safety features and implementing stricter quality control. This paper describes the Challenger disaster, discusses why the accident occurred, whether it could have been prevented, and who was to blame. It also discusses the dangers of space travel even in the 21st century.
From the Paper "NASA launched the re-usable Space Shuttle program in the late 1960s. The Space Shuttle was initially part of a plan to ferry astronauts and cargo to and from an Earth-orbiting space station. Later on, lack of funding forced NASA to drop the plan for the "space station" and it revised the shuttle's function as a "space truck" that could deploy and retrieve satellites and carry out scientific experiments in space. Each Space Shuttle was designed to perform about 100 missions with only minor maintenance. Their re-usability, in contrast, to the "throwaway" spacecrafts used earlier was purported as a major cost-cutting feature. However, space shuttles proved very expensive to develop and NASA had to make more frequent launches to offset the costs. In one year alone (1986--the year of the Challenger disaster) 24 shuttle missions were planned. (Chaikan, 2003)"
Abstract This essay looks at why life forms on Earth can live on the Earth but cannot survive on other planets. In exploring this fact, this essay discusses scientific theories about the creation of the universe, how conditions on Earth support life, and how the conditions on other planets are hostile to it.
From the Paper "The current scientific theory about the creation of the universe states that at one time all the matter and energy in the universe was condensed in a very small and infinitely hot mass. About 10 and 15 billion years ago, a huge explosion, termed the ?Big Bang,? took place that sent matter and energy expanding in all directions, and the universe was born. The formation of the stars (including our sun), the galaxies, and the planets are all explained by the Big Bang theory. This hypothesis about the creation of the universe was developed following the observation by an American astronomer, Edwin Hubble, in the late 1920s that distant stars and galaxies are receding from Earth in every direction?indicating that the universe was expanding."
Abstract The process of star formation is a complex one that takes millions of years to complete. While there are many types and sizes of stars, all come from the same basic properties. From clouds of gas and dust to protostars to the Main Sequence, star birth is a process dependent upon many factors. This paper examines how stars are formed and the reasons behind the various colors of stars.
From the Paper "Stars use nuclear fusion to convert, generally, hydrogen to helium, a process called nucleosynthesis. Nucleosynthesis is the production of new elements via nuclear reactions. The mass of the star at the time of the nuclear fusion determines what types of nucleosynthesis are needed. For smaller stars, hydrogen is converted to helium. For mid sized stars, like the sun, helium is turned to oxygen and carbon, as the hydrogen supply burns out. For massive stars, as hydrogen becomes depleted, helium is turned to carbon and oxygen, which are then turned to neon, sodium, magnesium, sulfur and silicon. Later, those elements are transformed to elements like calcium, iron, nickel, chromium, copper, and other elements. It is this process of nuclear fusion and nucleosynthesis that allow stars, even massive, old stars, to continue to exist. It is this stage that is called the Main Sequence for a star (Enchanted Learning, 100)."
Abstract This paper presents a brief overview of Aristotle's life and accomplishments. The paper examines Aristotle's education under Plato. The paper states that Aristotle had studied in depth and written about almost every subject that was in existence at the time, including anatomy, astronomy, physics, geology, zoology, aesthetics, rhetoric, logic, ethics, metaphysics, psychology, and literature. This paper focuses on his works regarding astronomy.
From the Paper "Aristotle (384-322 BCE) is one of the three most famous ancient philosophers whose work have left an indelible mark on the Western Civilization. Aristotle was born in Macedonia where his father was a physician in the royal court. He went to study in Plato's Academy at the age of 17 where he stayed for 20 years and was Plato's most distinguished pupil. After Plato died in 347 BC, he moved to Assos, a city in Asia Minor, and married the ruler (Hermias)'s adopted daughter. After Hermias? was captured and killed by the Persians a few years later, Aristotle was invited by the King of Macedonia to his court. There, he became a tutor to the King's son Alexander?who was later to earn fame in history as Alexander the Great. In 335 BC, when Alexander became king, Aristotle returned to Athens and established his own school, the Lyceum. It was during the 13 years at Lyceum that most of Aristotle's works were written. When Alexander the Great died in 325 BC, anti-Macedonian feelings in Athens forced Aristotle to retreat to a family estate in Euboea, where he died the following year."
Abstract This paper compares the Hubble Space Telescope to its potential successor, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), in terms of their cost effectiveness. The paper looks at the technology of both telescopes to see which will bring continue to bring back the most valuable information, their respective missions, the cost of deploying and maintaining them in orbit, and the cost of repairs, if any, of the telescopes to determine the cost effectiveness of the telescopes.
From the Paper "Ever since its launch in 1990, the Hubble telescope has been orbiting the Earth at 600 kilometers above, bringing valuable information and photos from space. Its history goes back to 1977, when the Congress approved the project funds. However, operations didn't take off until 1981, when the Space Telescope Science Institute was founded, designed especially for the production and research of the Hubble Space Telescope."
Abstract This paper explains that asteroids are the most significant threat to the human race, not population growth, because asteroids are powerful enough to devastate, if not destroy, all advanced life on the planet in a single blow, and our knowledge and ability to detect these space bullets are limited both in ability and in funding. The author points out that the risk of a catastrophic event occurring because of an outer space object is much higher than many of us would like to believe; asteroids pose a greater probability of occurring on a smaller scale than many other natural disasters like volcano eruptions or hurricanes. The paper stresses the claim that population growth will destroy the human race is mostly unwarranted because of the many internal checks against this growth, such as the decreasing birth rates in many industrialized nations, AIDS, and advancing science and political ideas.
From the Paper "Approximately 65 million years ago, an asteroid 10 kilometers across caused an impact releasing more energy than a million H-bombs. This impact resulted in the Chicxulub Crater in Mexico and was supposed to have caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. It wouldn't take anything larger to cause similar extinction of the human race. Asteroids could potentially produce more destruction to our planet than any amount of nuclear devices we could detonate. Even asteroids that are too small to make it through our atmosphere could cause major damage in populated areas. The Tunguska meteorite exploded and vaporized in the upper atmosphere over Siberia, but the speed of the meteorite caused the explosion to devastate thousands of square kilometers of forest. If that meteorite were aimed at Beijing or New York there could have been millions killed without effective evacuation measures."
Tags: detection, disasters, extinction, crater, population
Abstract This paper discusses the concept of time travel. The paper contends that time travel is possible if it is defined as travel through time zones or on the basis of theories. The paper briefly outlines the theories of Albert Einstein and Kurt Godel regarding this concept. The paper claims that, theoretically speaking, time travel is possible, and within certain limits, we have been able to employ technology to move us between time zones. Whether or not traveling through history is possible is another issue altogether. Its possibilities or impossibilities cannot be judged on the basis of our current technological capacities.
From the Paper "Time travel is an interesting concept that has inspired numerous science fiction novels, films and television serials. People are always imagining the opportunities that time travel, if ever successfully accomplished, could provide for them, whether financially or intellectually. Were we ever able to travel through time, we could visit ancient lands, collect a few artifacts and then travel back to our time and sell them or, if such travel was possible, we could go back in history and acquire a more accurate understanding of the past, for the sake of academic knowledge. The point is that the very idea of time travel, leads one to think of its numerous applications and positive outcomes. At the same time, few of us actually believe that time travel is possible or that it would ever exist anywhere except in science fiction books, movies and television serials. However, the fact of the matter is that time travel is not necessarily possible or impossible. Our consideration of it as possible or impossible ultimately depends upon our definition of time travel."
Abstract Throughout the course of scientific inquiry, many great men and women have influenced scientific thought. Although their theories don't always agree with one another, their observations are important as they lead to further examination and observations of the natural world. During the great period of history known as the Renaissance, new insights into the universe and stars that surrounded the Earth influenced man's thought as to his position in the World. One such great scientist, an astronomer by the name of Tycho Brahe examined and observed the motions of the planets and stars during the Sixteenth Century. His theories of the Earth's position correspond with those of the religious and scientific ideas of the Renaissance. By studying his life, this paper shows how his method of analysis was influenced by the paradigms of scientific thought during the Renaissance. In addition, this paper shows that Brahe's observations influenced many astronomers and their research at that time and penetrated deeper to influence future astronomers in addition to scientists in other fields.
From the Paper "In early 1571, Brahe returned to his birth-home where he was called due to his father's illness. After his father died on May 9, 1571, Tycho shared a large inheritance and lordship with his elder brother. He didn't stay long, however, and soon moved to Herrevad where his uncle Steen promised to install a small observatory for Tycho17. On November 11, 1572, in this small observatory, Tycho discovered a new star in Cassiopeia. He continued to observe gradual changes of magnitude of this star during its appearance which lasted sixteen months18. Changing the paradigms of astronomical thought during the Sixteenth century, Tycho proved that it was not a meteor, but instead a real star which was within a region of fixed stars at the end of space."
Abstract This essay provides a history of the United States' space program and its rationale for beginning such a program. It also gives information on the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to see who would be the first nation to put a man on the moon. It explains that when it looked as if the Soviets were ahead with the launching of the satellite Sputnik, America ultimately pulled through to finish first in the space race.
From the Paper "The United States's main rationale for carrying out a space exploration program was the rivalry with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Both nations had the desire to demonstrate a technological superiority of one form of government over another: a democratic state versus a communist dictatorship. So after both sides became aware that space flight was possible, the Cold War rivalry was the key that opened the door to aggressive space exploration on both sides."
Tags: apollo, landing, moon, nasa, soviet, space, sputnik, union
Abstract The space shuttle program from inception has been challenged by trade-offs. Management at NASA is forced to make difficult decisions regarding schedule and budgets, and some of those decisions aren't proper from an engineering perspective. Due to budgetary constraints and a disconnect between management and sound engineering, the nation has experienced two shuttle tragedies: Challenger and Columbia. This paper attempts to explore the tradeoff and conflict between budget and safety.
Outline
Abstract
Bad Beginnings
Challenger
From Challenger to Columbia
Conclusions
From the Paper "On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 18 miles from its initial launch point at Kennedy Space Center, a mere 73 seconds into its tenth flight. Seen only by launch cameras, intermittent puffs of black smoke escaped the right solid rocket booster (SRB) from .678 until 2.733 seconds into the flight, stopping only to reemerge as a flame another 56 seconds later, and ultimately leading to the destruction of the orbiter. (NASA, 1986) All eight crew members of the Challenger were lost in the explosion and the eight-mile plummet into the Atlantic Ocean."
Abstract This paper discusses current knowledge about the development and detection of black holes and explains that the study of black holes is justified because it increases our understanding of the universe. The paper also discusses the contribution of the Hubble Telescope to the study of black holes.
From the Paper contributions of the study of black holes to the understanding of the universe Introduction Newspaper stores in mid-February provided accounts of the detection of the existence of a form of energy that is dark unseen and permeating space Glanz A primary effect of this force is to push the universe apart The importance of the effect is that by overcoming gravity the universe expands as opposed to collapsing upon itself There remains a massive absence of knowledge about the force that has been detected although the existence of
Abstract This paper discusses the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) project and its search for extraterrestrial life via the capture and analysis of radio signals and use of cutting edge technology.
From the Paper "Ever since ancient times, man has wondered about the existence of intelligent life on other planets. Speculation about what that life might be like has fueled the entire science fiction literary genre as well as a substantial number of movies, some of them excellent. Now, in the 21st Century, the search for extraterrestrial life has moved from the realm of science fiction into the realm of real science. New discoveries, new tools and cutting edge technologies have made the search for extraterrestrial life systematic, scholarly,..."
Tags: extraterrestrial, SETI, radio telescope, interferometry, radio signals, SETI@Home
Abstract In order to shed some light onthe processes involved in the stars' life cycle, this paper discusses and analyzes how, throughout its 'life,' a star will remain dependent on other stars for its eventual re-birth--that is, the creation of another kind of a star. In line with the main topic of this paper, the discussion and analysis argue that the life cycle of a star is an interdependent and recurring process, mainly because stars depend on other stars to re-generate or create another star.
From the Paper "The second phase, the star's death, occurs when the star has finally used up its hydrogen atoms, and can no longer generate energy from its stellar body. As this happens, the star is "pulled" by the gravity and will burn its helium to become carbon, becoming a red giant. The dying star will be pulled towards the gravity because it will no longer have the counterforce that it once had (force from the energy radiated from it) in order to balance the two forces (gravity and energy pressure). Once helium gases were burned out or exhausted from the stellar body, carbon will be produced and scattered. The dead star will eventually have a carbon core, cool down, and become a white dwarf."
