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Weekly Online LessonOnline Lesson ArchiveGrade Level: 7-10
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International Space Station
On
October 5, 2000, NASA scrubbed a planned launch of the space shuttle Discovery
because of last-minute concerns over a bolt on the external fuel tank.
The launch, which will be the 100th shuttle flight, has been rescheduled
for 8:05 p.m. EDT Monday.
Engineers reviewing a videotape of Atlantis' September 8 launch noticed that one of the bolts between Atlantis and the external fuel tank did not separate cleanly eight minutes into the flight. NASA also does not want to launch the shuttle until experts can replace a suspect valve on Discovery's main propulsion system. The valve is part of the so-called Pogo Suppression System that ensures smooth thrust as the shuttle ascends to orbit.
Discovery
holds two new segments for the International Space Station, a girder-like
truss and a docking port for future shuttle visits. NASA wants these parts
installed before the first permanent crew lifts off at the end of the
month.
This week's online lesson is an introduction to the International Space Station.
STS-92 Shuttle Press Kit
Find
out what the press knows about STS-92, the mission number of the Discovery
flight, by accessing the STS-92
Shuttle Press Kit. From the home page you will find links the
various sections of the press kit. Begin with the Mission
Overview, which is the delivery of a framework for communications
and motion control equipment. Why are these components necessary for the
space station? Return to the home page and click Rendezvous,
which details the process of docking with the orbiting space station.
Why are each of the steps described important for the safety of the crew?
Next click Mission
Benefits and then Research
on the International Space Station to learn about the important
research activities of the space station and how humanity will probably
benefit from the research. Which benefit do you think will have the most
profound long-term effect on mankind?
HSF - International Space Station
You
will find a comprehensive source of information about the International
Space Station at NASA's
Human Space Flight site. Start with a visit to the ISS picture
gallery. Look under the Space Station News section and click the
link to Station
Image Gallery. From the interface, choose a category and click
Go. A good place to start is Artists
Concepts. Click any thumbnail image to see the larger picture.
Now that you've seen some artwork of the complete station, see if you
can identify the individual components.
For
a high-tech online tour of the station, return to the home page and try
some of the links in the Take a Tour section. The Station
VR Tour gives you a wonderful view from inside the space station
modules. Click Start the VR Tour to open the tour window. The tour
starts with a 3-D view of Unity Node 1, a connecting passageway to living
and work areas. Click and drag your mouse around the picture to rotate
the view. Don't forget to read the description of this node below the
3-D picture. Now click another module and explore; do this until you have
visited all seven modules of the station.
The International Space Station will be supported on the ground by a mission control center called the Blue Flight Control Room. The 24-hour ground crew will be stationed at consoles in the control room. Learn what the officer at each station does by clicking Blue the Flight Control Room link. Now click any of the consoles you see and learn the responsibilities of that officer. Why do you think it is important for the space station to have a manned control center on the ground?
Space Station Assembly
From
the Space Station home page, click Assembly
just below the top navigation bar. The Space Station Assembly site gives
an overview of the history of space station construction to date. The
text contains many hyperlinks you can explore, including links to NASA
mission sites. After investigating these sites, click the Interactive
link to learn about the international fleet of space vehicles that will
deliver propellant, supplies, and science experiments, and rotate crews.
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