Learning
Space
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Space
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Learning
Space
Space in the News
Museum Curricula
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 Space
Remembered

R8 Dendrites in Space
Professor M.E. Glicksman and Dr. M.B. Koss
 
Pivalic acid dendrite crystal grown during Shuttle Flight STS-87 in late 1997
The IDGE project (Isothermal Dendritic Growth Experiment) studies the way metals behave during manufacturing processes like casting and welding. While we have learned a lot about these things in recent years, there are still many unanswered questions that can only be answered by conducting experiments in space.

The reason we study materials in space is that gravity affects the way things solidify, and this makes it very difficult for engineers to predict what will happen when you cast that engine block. Put another way, it is simply too difficult to make any predictions about what gravity will do, unless you know what will happen when there isn't any gravity to complicate everything.  in a sense, we are learning to walk, before we try to run.
 

General Information Curriculum Ideas

 
R9 Constrained Vapor Bubble Heat Exchanger
Dr. J. Plawsky and Professor P. Wayner
 
XXX
Details to arrive soon.
 
  • General Information
    		•  Curriculum Ideas
    • Microgravity: A teachers guide of topics with several lessons.

     
    R10 The Origins of Life
    Dr. J. Ferris
     
    Details to arrive soon.
     
    General Information Curriculum Ideas

     
    R11 The NASA Microgravity Research Program
    NASA Microgravity Outreach Program (MSFC/Hampton University)
     
    The Glovebox in use, conducting a microgravity experiment.
    Contrary to popular belief, Earth’s gravity still has an effect on a spacecraft that is orbiting Earth. When in orbit around Earth, a spacecraft has escaped only 10% of Earth’s gravitational pull. So why does everything appear to float? Objects that are in orbit around Earth are actually in a continuous state of freefall. This state of freefall is called low-gravity, or microgravity, because the effects of gravity have been greatly reduced. This unique environment allows scientists to conduct research that achieves results not possible in ground-based laboratories.

    Come and see a little bit about the wide variety of interesting experiments that NASA conducts in space...in Microgravity.
     

    General Information Curriculum Ideas
    • Microgravity: A teachers guide of topics with several lessons.

     
    R12 Shuttle Robot Arm Simulators
    C. Smith ('97) and Dr. J.C. LaCombe
     
    The Shuttle robot arm allows  the astronauts to move  large objects like satellites around.
    The Remote Manipulator System (also known as the Canada robot arm), used aboard the shuttles and the coming International Space Station allow the astronauts to maneuver large objects very easily from the safety of the crew cabin.  In addition to the heavy-moving capability, the arms are also capable of very precise positioning, and are used to help astronauts move around during spacewalks.

    These demonstrations simulate the way that the RMS arms.  The operators must work together to move an object from one secure location to another in a controlled manner.  This shows some of the challenges the astronauts face while working in space as well as the importance of teamwork.
     

    General Information Curriculum Ideas

     
    R13 The Space Perspective
    NASA Lewis Research Center
     
    XXX
    Details to arrive soon.
     
    General Information Curriculum Ideas