Science 9 Unit E Section Science 9 Unit E Section 4.04.0

Society and the Environment are Society and the Environment are Affected by Space Exploration Affected by Space Exploration

and Technologiesand Technologies

4.1 – The Risks and Dangers of 4.1 – The Risks and Dangers of Space ExplorationSpace Exploration

Space exploration is very hazardousSpace exploration is very hazardous There have been several deaths associated with There have been several deaths associated with

space flight, including the destruction of the space flight, including the destruction of the Apollo I capsule (on the launch pad) and the Apollo I capsule (on the launch pad) and the Space Shuttles Challenger (shortly after launch) Space Shuttles Challenger (shortly after launch) and Columbia (upon re-entry)and Columbia (upon re-entry)

Due to the risks involved, much planning Due to the risks involved, much planning and training goes into manned missionsand training goes into manned missions

Limited supplies of fuel and oxygen, as Limited supplies of fuel and oxygen, as well as dangerous radiation, floating debris well as dangerous radiation, floating debris and meteoroids must be dealt withand meteoroids must be dealt with

In particular, space junk is a growing In particular, space junk is a growing problemproblem

Every spacecraft that is launched leaves Every spacecraft that is launched leaves little bits of junk in spacelittle bits of junk in space

Even a tiny bolt, screw or bit of paint Even a tiny bolt, screw or bit of paint moving at thousands of kilometers per moving at thousands of kilometers per hour can punch holes in spacecrafthour can punch holes in spacecraft

As well, space debris can fall to EarthAs well, space debris can fall to Earth In 1978, a Soviet satellite crashed into the In 1978, a Soviet satellite crashed into the

Great Slave Lake area in NWTGreat Slave Lake area in NWT During re-entry, the disintegrating satellite During re-entry, the disintegrating satellite

showered radioactive debris from its showered radioactive debris from its power plant over a 124 000 kmpower plant over a 124 000 km22 area area

The clean-up carried out by the Canadian The clean-up carried out by the Canadian and US military cost about $15 millionand US military cost about $15 million

4.2 – Canadian Contributions to 4.2 – Canadian Contributions to SpaceSpace

One of the main Canadian contributions to One of the main Canadian contributions to space is the “Canadarm”, a robotic arm space is the “Canadarm”, a robotic arm used on board the space shuttleused on board the space shuttle

This arm has been used to place and fix This arm has been used to place and fix satellites, and to construct the satellites, and to construct the International Space StationInternational Space Station

Canada has also launched a number of Canada has also launched a number of satellites, including satellites, including Anik 1Anik 1, which provided , which provided all of Canada with telecommunications all of Canada with telecommunications coveragecoverage

Canada and the ISSCanada and the ISS

Canada has provided Canada has provided the ISS with the the ISS with the Canadarm 2, an Canadarm 2, an improved version of the improved version of the original Canadarm original Canadarm

The new arm has The new arm has “fingers” for delicate “fingers” for delicate assembly work and can assembly work and can move itself around the move itself around the station along a set of station along a set of railsrails

Canadian AchievementsCanadian Achievements

1839 – Sir Edward Sabine establishes first magnetic 1839 – Sir Edward Sabine establishes first magnetic observatory & discovers that the Northern Lights are observatory & discovers that the Northern Lights are associated with solar activityassociated with solar activity

1962 – Canada launches its first satellite, 1962 – Canada launches its first satellite, Alouette 1Alouette 11969 – Canada provides the landing gear for the first lunar 1969 – Canada provides the landing gear for the first lunar

landerlander1984 – Marc Garneau is the first Canadian in space1984 – Marc Garneau is the first Canadian in space1992 – Roberta Bondar was the first Canadian woman in 1992 – Roberta Bondar was the first Canadian woman in

spacespace1997 – Canada provided the ramp used by the 1997 – Canada provided the ramp used by the Mars Mars

PathfinderPathfinder mission mission 2001 – Chris Hadfield becomes the first Canadian to walk 2001 – Chris Hadfield becomes the first Canadian to walk

in space while delivering the Canadarm 2 to the ISSin space while delivering the Canadarm 2 to the ISS

4.3 – Issues Related to Space 4.3 – Issues Related to Space ExplorationExploration

Space exploration is very expensive – it Space exploration is very expensive – it costs billions of dollars per yearcosts billions of dollars per year

Many people suggest that the money Many people suggest that the money would be better spent somewhere else would be better spent somewhere else (such as healthcare and education)(such as healthcare and education)

Others argue that space exploration is Others argue that space exploration is necessary because it may help us to find necessary because it may help us to find improvements to our way of life hereimprovements to our way of life here

Space and its ResourcesSpace and its Resources

Space may have numerous resources to Space may have numerous resources to offeroffer

It is estimated that a single 200 000 tonne It is estimated that a single 200 000 tonne asteroid could yield $350 billion worth of asteroid could yield $350 billion worth of resourcesresources

As well, if we found fuel and other As well, if we found fuel and other resources needed for space travel in resources needed for space travel in space, it would be much cheaper to travel space, it would be much cheaper to travel to other planetsto other planets

For instance, rocks on the Moon could be For instance, rocks on the Moon could be used to obtain both hydrogen and oxygen used to obtain both hydrogen and oxygen (both of which are used for fuel)(both of which are used for fuel)

Issues with Space Exploration and Issues with Space Exploration and ExploitationExploitation

There are several issues to consider with There are several issues to consider with space exploration and the use of the space exploration and the use of the materials found there:materials found there:

Political:Political:

1.1. Who owns space?Who owns space?

2.2. Who has the right to use those Who has the right to use those resources?resources?

3.3. Who will determine how space is used?Who will determine how space is used?

EthicalEthical

1.1. Is it right to spend money on space Is it right to spend money on space exploration when it is needed here on exploration when it is needed here on Earth?Earth?

2.2. Do we have a right to alter materials in Do we have a right to alter materials in space to meet our needs?space to meet our needs?

3.3. How can we ensure that resources will How can we ensure that resources will be used to benefit all of mankind instead be used to benefit all of mankind instead of only one nation or group?of only one nation or group?

EnvironmentalEnvironmental1.1. Who is responsible for protecting space Who is responsible for protecting space

environments from alteration?environments from alteration?2.2. Who is responsible for cleaning up space Who is responsible for cleaning up space

junk, and who should pay for it?junk, and who should pay for it? One possible solution is to treat space One possible solution is to treat space

like Antarcticalike Antarctica In 1959, the 12 countries that had bases In 1959, the 12 countries that had bases

on Antarctica agreed that “Antarctica on Antarctica agreed that “Antarctica shall continue forever to be used shall continue forever to be used exclusively for peaceful purposes and exclusively for peaceful purposes and shall not become the scene or object of shall not become the scene or object of international discord.”international discord.”

End of SectionEnd of Section

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