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ED 260 909 SE 045 944 TITLE Questions & Answers about Aeronautics and Space. INSTITUTION National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington. D.C. PUB DATE 84 NOTE 6p. PUB TYPE Guides General (050)

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS *Aerospace Education; Earth Science; *Elementary School Science; Elementary Secondary Education; *Resource Materials; Science Education; *Secondary School Science; *Space Exploration; *Space Sciences IDENTIFIERS *National. Aeronautics and Space Administration ABSTRACT Answers to 27 questions about aeronautics, space, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)are provided in this pamphlet. Among the topics dealt with in these questionsare: costs of the space program; NASA's role in aeronautics; benefits received from the space program; why the hasn't developed means of rescuing individuals who are in troubleon space missions; how to write to an astronaut or receivean astronaut's autograph; courses that should be taken in school in orderto beccme a NASA astronaut or scientist; how to obtain NASA educational materials; and NASA activities with elementary and secondary schools. Current addresses for obtaining materials and/or additional information are included when applicable. (JN)

*********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best thatcan be made * * from the original document. * *********************************************************************** nology, national pride, and improved inter- tached inside the orbiter's cargo bay. spacecraft examined Jupiter and five of Its previous programs, an entirely new space suit national relations. The Canadian government funded and moons in 1979 and Saturn and eight of its was worn on each flight, custom-tailored to Some tangible and direct benefits now built a remote manipulator arm. :nstalled in moons in November 1980 and August 1981. fit each astronaut. But Shuttle suits come taken for granted are a global weather side the orbiter's cargo bay, the robot arm The second one is heading for an encounter in standard pieces which can combine to fit system, making possible more accurate weath- plucks out payloads and places them into in- with Uranus in 1986 and possibly Neptune in either male or female crewmembers of differ- er forecasts to help save lives and crops, and a alt11 dependent orbit. The arm alsoretrieves 1989. ent sizes. Because these pieces may be re- worldwide satellite communications system. payloads from space, and can aid in space paired and reused for six years or more, it We also have airplane communications and NASA has very long-range plans for return- Why explore space? construction projects. now costs much less to outfit our astronauts. ocean navigation that provide in- Over the years, the U.S. has engaged in ing to the Moon, but not for many years. The The exploration of space is producing prac- Space Shuttle does not provide the ability How can I write to an astronaut or receive an creased safety in the air and on the sea, as cooperative space ventures, in one form or tical benefits in the form of: well as additional economic benefits. to carry humans out of Earth orbit, and other astronaut's autograph? Knowledge Exploration advances sci- another, with over 40 nations around the Practical everyday benefits include:fire- world. vehicles must be developed before this will Address your letter or request to:Astro- entific and technical knowledge and contrib- resistant fabrics and paint, smaller and longer again become possible. naut Office, Code CB, Johnson Space Center, Why hasn'ttheUnitedStates developed utes to improving life on Earth. lastingradios and TVs,tougherplastics, When will NASA have a permanent space Houston, TX 77058. But please remember Applications means of rescuing men who are in trouble on Spacecraft are already in stronger adhesives, equipment that makes it station in orbit? that astronauts are very busy and cannot constant service for communications, televi- space missions? possible for more hospital patients to receive President Reagan inearly 1984 directed always answer as many letters as they might sion transmissions, navigation, weather obser- better care with fewer nurses, a heart monitor The United States had no space rescue NASA to build and man a permanent orbiting like to. vations, and Earth environmental surveys. inserted through a hypodermic needle rather capability for many years, but minimized risk Technology Progress stimulated by by using only astronauts who were highly space station "within a decade." Studies are How can I become an astronaut? than by surgery, improved computer techno- now being done on the best configuration, the space program is con,ribuling to advances skilled engineers and test pilots, trained to Any qualified adult man or woman may logy, and a host of others. and construction of the hardware will start in medicine, transportation, eiectronics, man- meet every conceivable space contingency. become an astronaut. The astronaut of today What is NASA's role in aeronautics? within two or three years. Most of the ten- ufacturing infact, nearly every form of Today's astronauts are just as skilled, but usually has college education beyond a bache- year period will be required to plan and build human activity. Basicallyitisto assure that the nation their talents cover a wider range of scientific lor's degree often a doctorate in medicine, the station on the ground. Carrying the corn Economics The space program helps maintains its lead in the development of mili and engineering disciplines. Several of the new engineering, or a science and is in excellent ponent parts into orbit and assembling them expand our technologicalbase, stimulating tary and commercial aircraft technology. For astronauts selected for the Space Shuttle pro- physical condition. Astronaut recruiting oc- there would probably take a year or less the development of improved products and this reason NASA does advanced research in gram are medical doctors, and have been de- curs periodically. Write the Astronaut Office, processes tha: increase our ability to compete subsonic, transonic, supersonic, and hyper veloping techniques for dealing with medical How much does a spacecraft weigh in space? as above, for information. in world markets. In this way, the program sonic aircraft. However, new concepts and emergencies in a zero gravity environment. A spacecraft in orbit around Earth is said What courses should Itake in school in order designs are studied for all manner of aircraft, makes a signif,cant contribution to the ex- Also, the United States will eventually have to be in a state of weightlessness, also called to become a NASA astronaut, scientist or port, or plus, side of our balance of trade. including those used in general aviation. Other a small fleet of Shuttle orbiters, each of which zero-gravity,orzero-g. Weightlessness does engineer? What college should I attend? focal points of NASA's aeronautical research could be used by a crew of astronauts to aid What does the space program cost me as an not mean that the gravity of Earth has disap- Career and educational guidance may be include improving aircraft fuel economy and or rescue the crew of a disabled ship. peared. Rather,it means that the forward individual? air safety, and reducing bothersome aircraft very important to your future and should be Are there plans for a manned mission to velocity imparted by the spacecraft's launch given on an individual basis. We suggest that Less than one cent of each federal tax dol- noise. vehicle balances the downward pull of gravity. lar goes to the NASA space program. To di- Mars? What about the other planets? Are we you talk with your school guidance counselor, How does the United States ccoperate with making plans to explore them? Put another way, gravity and motion interact vert funds from the space program would not and with college representatives visiting your other countries in space projects? to hold the spacecraft in orbit, where it is add significantly to the budget for other gov- NASA has no present plans for a manned school. But please remember that astronaut weightless. The spacecraft's movement may jobs in particular are very scarce. ernment programs, but it would be a severe The United States has made considerable missionto Mars, or to any other planet. be described as falling toward the Earth, but blow to the advances intechnology, the efforts to develop international cost sharing Knowledge about planets other than Earth is with the curved surface below moving further Can I be a passenger on the Space Shuttle? growth of knowledge, the economic advan- in space research and applications. beingacquiredby unmannedspacecraft. away at a rate equal to the amount of fall. tages, and the practical benefits produced by The first international manned rendezvous Unmanned Pioneers have returned close up Everything in the spacecraft is also weightless, NASA w'll start taking passengers up on and docking in space took place in July 1975, observationsof the spate program. And itis important to Jupiterand Saturn, and a::is anything which separates from it. The Space Shuttle missions in late 1985 or 1986, recognize that technological progress plays a during the historic joint U S./Soviet mission, Mariners of Mars, Venus, and Mercu y. weightless condition also applies to spacecraft probably about two per year. No waiting lists vital role in the solution of social problems, as the Apollo- Test Project. In 1976, two Viking spacecraft soft landed on long journeys between planets, because will be kept or applications acJepted prior well as in developing an extended tax base to World wideinterest inSpace Shuttle on Mars and conducted an intensive search for they are effectively countering the gravita- to the opening of a particular slot, which will increase support of social programs. capabilitiesanda planned Space Station life.None was found, buta tremendous tional pull of the Sun by forward motion. be announced to the media. The terms and has sparked increased sharing of space costs. What benefits have we received from the amount of information was obtained. In 1978 requirementswill bewidelypublicized. The , composed of a Pioneer Venus Multiprobe sent four shielded How is the Shuttle space suit different from space program? Watch for the announcements, cnd if you fit 11 member nations,invested more than scientific capsules clown through the Venusian the suits used in previous programs? the category of person sought for the particu- Benefits are both tangible and intangible. $750 million to construct Spacelab, a reusable atmosphere, and a PioneerOrbiterbegan The Shuttle backpack life support system is lar mission, apply at that time. The latter includes such things as the stimulus spaceborne laboratory that is transported into obtaining radar profiles that led to the first far less bulky and much more comfortable. It to learning, scientific discoveries, new tech orbit by the Space Shuttle and remains at- map of the planet's surface. Two Voyager is also more versatile and easier to manage. In 3 How does an astronaut go to the bathroom in Whatever happened to Enterprise? The NASA Exchange publications are Notional (yeograpinro and space (blow his nose or scratch an itch, etc.)? After completion of the Shuttle Approach Johnson Space center Science News. Three effioe' nuhlications The Space Shuttle orbiter contains a com- and Landing Tests in 1977, Enterprise was Houston, TX 77058 Images of Mars (Stock No 033 00000793-1), mode and urinal that can be used by both used to check for mechanical and electrical Voyager Encounters Jupiter (Stork No. men and women. Designed to be as Earth-like compatibility with facilities and equipment at Model rockets (models that contain pro- 033-00000772 8), and Voyage- 1 Encounters as possible, it substitutes airflow for water the Shuttle launch site at Kennedy Space Cen- pellant and can be launched) are available Saturn (Stock No. 033 000 00817 1)-- may and gravity. This airflow draws the waste into ter. Since then, it has been used extensively as at some toy and hobby stores. be purchased from the Superintendent of storage compartments, which are emptied up- a testbed for weight and balance tests, vibra- Can engineers at the Kennedy Space Center Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, on return to Earth. The air is filtered to re- tion tests and failure detection experiments, evaluate my inventions (drawl igs or plans)? Washington, D.C. 20402. Write for price move dirt, bacteria, and odor and returned to and has even been "cannibalized" for spare information and alistingof other publi- Sorry, we do not have the workforce avail- cations. the orbiter cabin. While in orbit, the com- parts for orbiter Columbia. It was taken to able to iandle the tremendous number of mode is vented to space vacuum to deactivate Europe aboard the 747 carrier aircraft for a requests we receive. And since it would be Can .1become a member of a NASA club bacteria and thus prevent odor formation. tour in1983, and stayed at New Orleans unfair to process some and not others, we or have my name put on a pen pal list? Noseblowing in a pressurized suit is not throughout the World's Fair in 1984. the-efore do not handle any. NASA does not maintain a list of pen pals, feasible. However a small piece of rough cloth What happens to used spacecraft? but it does work with school systems on inside the helmet now makes it possible for an How can I obtain NASAeducational In previous programs such as Apollo, space- materials? various educational programs. One of these, astronaut to scratch his nose. conducted by the National Space Institute craft which returned toEarth underwent NASA educational and informational publi- What is a launch window? post-flight checkouts that yielded additional with NASA help,isa "young astronaut" cations may be purchased from: Superinten- program for elementary schools. Your teacher The precise period in which lift-off must information on their performance. Some then dent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing occur is called the "launch window." For ex- went on public display. These can be seen at canobtain more informationfrom: The Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Some NASA National Space Institute, 600 Maryland Ave. ample, a preset launch time is required when NASA centers and at the National Air and centers provide free materials on request. a spacecraftis to rendezvous with another Space Museum of the Smithscmian Institu- S.W., West Wing, Suite 203, Washington, D.C. object already in orbit, whether this be the tion, Washington, D.C. Can I obtain space photographs from NASA? 20034. There are a number of other pro-space organizations throughout the country solicit- Moon, a planet, or another spacecraft. Calcu- Can I obtain space items from NASA? lation of the launch window for rendezvous Color photographs are so costly NASA ing membceships. You can obtain addresses with the Moon, for example, included taking No. Hardware and other items that have no cannot provide them free of charge.If the or these from your local library. into account the lunar landing site, sunlight- further direct value to the space program NASA installation nearest you has a Visitors Can my name be put on a mailing list to Center with ing at that site, and azimuth (direction) limi- usually go to public institutions or museums a souvenir shop, photographs receive NASA publications? may be purchased there tations. for display so that people from all over the for one or two world may see them. Moon rocks, moon dust, dollars each. They are also available through No. We receive and answer a large volume How were the NASA program names (such as samples of space tood, telescopes, binoculars, the mail from a private contractor, though of mail daily, but cannot maintain a regular Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo) chosen? lasers, old space suits, Shuttle thermal protec- thisis somewhat more expensive. Serious mailing list. Officials consideredvarious suggested tion tiles or pieces of tile, and other space inquiries (preferably on letter head stationary) Can I subscribe to any NASA publications? names and finally agreed on one. Sometimes artifacts are not available. Blueprints, flight should be addressed to: Space Photographs, A monthly agency magazine, NASA Activi- the names were descriptive, such as plans, designs, transcripts, and other printed PO Box 486, Bladensburg, MD 20710. ties,is for sale by the Superintendent of and Space Shuttle. Gemini Latin for twins materials are prepared in limited quantity for Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, refers to the fact that the Gemini spacecraft distribution only to engineers, analysts, and Photographs of geographicalareas of the Washington, D.C. 20402. held two astronauts. Names such as Mercury other required personnel. Some items are United States, taken from space by and Apollo are much more symbolic than made available to the news media. LANDSAT spacecraft, are also available for NOTE. We appreciate your interestin the space descriptive. Visitors to the Kennedy Space Center may purchase. For information write or telephone: program andtrustthat the materialsre- purchase souvenir items from the gift shop U.S. Geological Survey, (605) 594-6511 ceived willprove helpful.Additionalin- formation on space and the solar system What are the names of the Shuttle orbiters? operated by a concessionaire at the visitors User Services Unit center, Spaceport USA. Models of spacecraft shouldbeavailablein current reference The first one constructed, which was not EROS Data Center books and encyclopedias, maintained by designed for space flight, was named Enter- and launch vehicles, and 'he badges, decals, Sioux Falls, SD 57198 most school and community libraries, prise. Columbia was NASA's second orbiter and emblemsrepresentingvariousspace and the firstto operate in space. Number missions, may be purchased here or by mail How can Iobtain information, on the results three, Challenger, was originally built as a from: of planetary missions? NASA vibration testarticle and later transformed TW Services, Inc. Many libraries now have magazines or other Nat+r)nll AerunAtilln Space Adminiqraton into a fully operational spaceship. The last Visitors Center-TWS publicationsonhandreporting some of two are Discovery and Atlantis. Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899 the findings by NASA spacecraft; two such 5 BEST COPY AVAILABLE