1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:18,840 Hi, I'm Leland Melvin, former NFL player, engineer, and now NASA astronaut. 2 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:22,760 NASA's looking for the next generation of explorers, and I'm here to promote careers 3 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:26,680 in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. 4 00:00:26,680 --> 00:00:31,120 In today's special edition of NASA Connect, host Jennifer Pulley will show you the world's 5 00:00:31,120 --> 00:00:33,200 premier space convention. 6 00:00:33,200 --> 00:00:37,520 It's called World Space Congress 2002, the new face of space. 7 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:42,080 You will see how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are being used to develop 8 00:00:42,080 --> 00:00:47,000 the world's vision of space exploration over the next 10 years and beyond. 9 00:00:47,000 --> 00:00:51,840 You'll see great exhibits, new technologies, and students who are dreaming of becoming 10 00:00:51,840 --> 00:00:54,400 the next generation of space explorers. 11 00:00:54,400 --> 00:00:58,680 Bianca Baker from the NASA Sci-Files will be on location to show you a really cool 12 00:00:58,680 --> 00:01:02,960 math game called TIVI that will enhance your basic math skills. 13 00:01:02,960 --> 00:01:07,200 See students compete in the TIVI tournament in cooperation with NASA. 14 00:01:07,200 --> 00:01:10,200 All this and more here on NASA Connect. 15 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:43,000 Hi, I'm Jennifer Pulley, and welcome to NASA Connect, the show that connects you to 16 00:01:43,000 --> 00:01:47,080 the world of math, science, technology, and NASA. 17 00:01:47,080 --> 00:01:52,080 I'm here in Houston, Texas at the World Space Congress 2002. 18 00:01:52,080 --> 00:01:54,200 Let's take a quick preview of what we're going to see. 19 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:26,080 So, what is World Space Congress? 20 00:02:26,080 --> 00:02:32,080 Well, it's the largest scientific, technical, and space exhibition event ever. 21 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:37,080 More than 13,000 international space leaders in industry, science, and engineering have 22 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:39,080 gathered right here in Houston, Texas. 23 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:44,080 It brings together international space leaders and decision makers to share their knowledge 24 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:48,080 and experiences, providing a guiding vision for an improved future. 25 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:53,080 The very people who will populate that future and serve as its leaders are the world's brightest 26 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:56,080 and best students and young space professionals. 27 00:02:56,080 --> 00:03:02,080 In fact, this global event brings together over 10,000 educators, young professionals, 28 00:03:02,080 --> 00:03:05,080 and students from more than 30 countries. 29 00:03:05,080 --> 00:03:08,080 And speaking of students, hey, look who's here. 30 00:03:08,080 --> 00:03:10,080 It's Bianca Baker from the NASA Sci-Files. 31 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:11,080 Hey, Jennifer. 32 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:12,080 Hey, Bianca. 33 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:14,080 Shouldn't you be in school? 34 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:17,080 My math teacher asked me to stop by and check out some math activities and bring back to 35 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:18,080 the classroom. 36 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:19,080 You know, that's a great idea. 37 00:03:19,080 --> 00:03:20,080 There are so many math activities here. 38 00:03:20,080 --> 00:03:24,080 I heard about a math tournament called the Chibi Tournament in cooperation with NASA. 39 00:03:24,080 --> 00:03:26,080 I think I'm going to check it out. 40 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:27,080 Fill you in later. 41 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:28,080 That sounds great. 42 00:03:28,080 --> 00:03:31,080 While Bianca checks out the math tournament, let's visit some of the exhibits here. 43 00:03:40,080 --> 00:03:41,080 Hey, guys. 44 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:43,080 We're here at NASA's Commercialization Exhibit. 45 00:03:43,080 --> 00:03:45,080 And I'm here with Mike Weingarten. 46 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:48,080 And he works at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. 47 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:52,080 Now, Mike, when I hear commercialization, well, what is commercialization? 48 00:03:52,080 --> 00:03:54,080 I think of TV commercials. 49 00:03:54,080 --> 00:03:56,080 No, that's not exactly it. 50 00:03:56,080 --> 00:04:00,080 What our program does is we actually work to bring space technology back down to Earth 51 00:04:00,080 --> 00:04:06,080 so that people can buy products made from space technology and use it in their everyday lives. 52 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:07,080 Any people? 53 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:12,080 Yeah, we've got a whole wide range of products that we're working on or that we've developed in the past. 54 00:04:12,080 --> 00:04:14,080 Well, here are some really neat things. 55 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:19,080 Just as an example, NASA developed the anti-fog coatings that are currently being used in ski goggles 56 00:04:19,080 --> 00:04:21,080 that you can buy at your local store. 57 00:04:21,080 --> 00:04:23,080 Those come from the shuttle main windows. 58 00:04:23,080 --> 00:04:29,080 We also worked on gold coatings for sunglasses that come from the visors that the astronauts currently use. 59 00:04:29,080 --> 00:04:31,080 And then another really interesting story, 60 00:04:31,080 --> 00:04:35,080 you can actually go out and buy clogs right now that were developed from foams, 61 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:39,080 developed to protect the astronauts from the G-forces when the shuttle is launched. 62 00:04:39,080 --> 00:04:42,080 Hey, Jennifer, these are just some of the cool things that we're working on at NASA. 63 00:04:42,080 --> 00:04:44,080 Man, you guys are working on awesome stuff. 64 00:04:44,080 --> 00:04:47,080 Well, you know, I'm going to spin off to another exhibit. 65 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:53,080 Okay, we're here with Sharon Cobb, and Sharon's from NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. 66 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:58,080 Now, Sharon, it kind of looks like we're inside the International Space Station. 67 00:04:58,080 --> 00:05:01,080 Well, we're actually in a mock-up of the space station. 68 00:05:01,080 --> 00:05:04,080 This is the way we show people what kind of experiments we're going to be doing on the space station. 69 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:07,080 This is the U.S. laboratory called the Destiny Module. 70 00:05:07,080 --> 00:05:10,080 Great. Now, what are you working on? 71 00:05:10,080 --> 00:05:14,080 We're working on racks that house experiments that we do in the microgravity environment, 72 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:17,080 and there are 24 racks in the space in the U.S. laboratory. 73 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:20,080 They're on the ceiling, they're on the floor, they're on both sides, 74 00:05:20,080 --> 00:05:23,080 but it doesn't really matter because the astronauts can operate from anywhere 75 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:26,080 because gravity doesn't pull them down to the ground. 76 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:29,080 Wow, so there's 24 racks in this particular module. 77 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:30,080 In the U.S. module. 78 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:33,080 Okay, and is this particular rack important? 79 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:35,080 This rack is important for several people. 80 00:05:35,080 --> 00:05:39,080 In fact, it's important to everyone because we're going to be processing material science. 81 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:42,080 Material science is something that touches everybody's lives 82 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:46,080 because it involves materials that go in cars and airplanes, 83 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:48,080 even in the computers that we use every day. 84 00:05:48,080 --> 00:05:51,080 They all are based on material science. 85 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:55,080 So we're looking at this rack to understand some of the problems that occur 86 00:05:55,080 --> 00:06:00,080 when we form these materials on the ground so that we can produce better materials on the Earth. 87 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:05,080 Okay, and so tell me about what do you mean by doing things to these materials? 88 00:06:05,080 --> 00:06:06,080 I mean, what do you want to do? 89 00:06:06,080 --> 00:06:08,080 Are you trying to make them better? 90 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:10,080 We're trying to make them better. 91 00:06:10,080 --> 00:06:14,080 We're trying to understand some of the problems that happen when you process them on Earth, 92 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:19,080 like light things float to the top and heavy things drop to the bottom of the container, 93 00:06:19,080 --> 00:06:22,080 and in the microgravity environment, we don't have that problem. 94 00:06:22,080 --> 00:06:24,080 Everything stays mixed up. 95 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:25,080 Wow. 96 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:28,080 Now, I'm going to ask about mathematics here because it's very important. 97 00:06:28,080 --> 00:06:34,080 Is mathematics important in what you do in material science? 98 00:06:34,080 --> 00:06:38,080 Mathematics are important in everything, but it governs everything we do in these racks. 99 00:06:38,080 --> 00:06:42,080 It looks at how heat gets moved from one place to another. 100 00:06:42,080 --> 00:06:44,080 There are equations that govern that. 101 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:49,080 There are equations that govern how liquids move around inside these experiments. 102 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:53,080 In fact, there's a whole group of people that on computers actually grow materials 103 00:06:53,080 --> 00:06:56,080 and grow crystals based on mathematical equations. 104 00:06:56,080 --> 00:06:58,080 Oh, that's so cool. 105 00:06:58,080 --> 00:07:04,080 Now, my final question is, what do you think is the future of material science? 106 00:07:04,080 --> 00:07:09,080 I mean, obviously, you're going to be taking them up into the International Space Station, but long term? 107 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:13,080 Well, what we hope to do here is gain a lot of knowledge and information 108 00:07:13,080 --> 00:07:16,080 that helps us to produce better materials on the ground. 109 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:20,080 And, in fact, what we're hoping is that we'll help make some of the discoveries 110 00:07:20,080 --> 00:07:27,080 that help us achieve space flight to long duration orbits, like to Mars maybe someday. 111 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:30,080 We have a lot of things that we have to solve and understand before we can do that. 112 00:07:30,080 --> 00:07:33,080 So, hopefully, material science will help play a part in that. 113 00:07:33,080 --> 00:07:34,080 Thanks so much. 114 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:35,080 Thank you. 115 00:07:35,080 --> 00:07:41,080 Music 116 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:43,080 Why are we doing space research? 117 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:51,080 I remember when my kid, many years ago, asked me why Columbus went to America. 118 00:07:51,080 --> 00:07:56,080 I told him because at Columbus' time, there was no refrigerator. 119 00:07:56,080 --> 00:07:59,080 And he said, oh, what do you mean? 120 00:07:59,080 --> 00:08:03,080 At that time, to preserve the food, it was necessary to have spices. 121 00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:11,080 And Christopher Columbus was going to find new lands where they could take the spices. 122 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:13,080 So, what do I mean with this story? 123 00:08:13,080 --> 00:08:19,080 That for every research that we are thinking to do, there is always another part of the story 124 00:08:19,080 --> 00:08:21,080 that we have to keep in mind. 125 00:08:21,080 --> 00:08:26,080 And it is the fact that for every research we have a counterpart here. 126 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:28,080 We are going to go to Mars. 127 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:35,080 It will be impossible to go there if we do not solve some specific problems that we have now 128 00:08:35,080 --> 00:08:38,080 and we will continue to have in the future on the Earth. 129 00:08:38,080 --> 00:08:43,080 I mean, going to Mars means problem of long-term isolation, 130 00:08:43,080 --> 00:08:46,080 problem connected to the loss of calcium. 131 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:51,080 An astronaut loses 1.5% of calcium a month. 132 00:08:51,080 --> 00:08:52,080 And this is a lot. 133 00:08:52,080 --> 00:08:55,080 If you take into account how long does it take to go to Mars, 134 00:08:55,080 --> 00:09:01,080 you know that 50% of the population on the Earth after 50 years old 135 00:09:01,080 --> 00:09:06,080 will suffer of a specific problem which is called osteoporosis. 136 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:12,080 Osteoporosis is a disease connected to loss of calcium in the bones. 137 00:09:12,080 --> 00:09:19,080 If we found a way to solve the problem of loss of calcium when the astronauts are going to Mars, 138 00:09:19,080 --> 00:09:25,080 we will solve the same problem for millions of persons here on the Earth. 139 00:09:25,080 --> 00:09:32,080 NASDAQ 140 00:09:33,080 --> 00:09:35,080 Hey guys, we are here at the NASDAQ exhibit. 141 00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:40,080 Now NASDAQ stands for the National Space Development Agency of Japan 142 00:09:40,080 --> 00:09:43,080 and NASDAQ is Japan's core space development program. 143 00:09:43,080 --> 00:09:45,080 It is a simple analogy. 144 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:49,080 NASDAQ is to Japan as NASA is to the United States. 145 00:09:49,080 --> 00:09:51,080 And I am here with Mr. Kitahara. 146 00:09:51,080 --> 00:09:55,080 Mr. Kitahara, what is Japan's role in the International Space Station? 147 00:09:55,080 --> 00:09:57,080 We have three roles. 148 00:09:57,080 --> 00:10:02,080 First, we are developing a GEM which is attached to the space station. 149 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:06,080 GEM stands for the Japanese Experimental Module. 150 00:10:06,080 --> 00:10:10,080 Second, we are developing a Centrifuge Accommodation Module. 151 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:13,080 For NASA, we place for Kibo. 152 00:10:13,080 --> 00:10:19,080 This is a very unique facility that generates artificial gravity to experiment 153 00:10:19,080 --> 00:10:25,080 how microgravity affects biological processes in a space environment. 154 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:29,080 Third, we are developing a logistic vehicle. 155 00:10:29,080 --> 00:10:36,080 It will transport the batteries, experimental payloads and water 156 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:39,080 which is needed for space station operation. 157 00:10:39,080 --> 00:10:43,080 In your opinion, how is space research important to us right here on Earth? 158 00:10:43,080 --> 00:10:48,080 I think the space research gives us a lot of beneficial things. 159 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:51,080 For example, let me give you some examples. 160 00:10:51,080 --> 00:11:02,080 It will produce light-weighted metal, new medicine which is needed to cure very difficult diseases. 161 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:06,080 Does mathematics play a key role in space research? 162 00:11:06,080 --> 00:11:08,080 I think it does. 163 00:11:08,080 --> 00:11:15,080 To design an experimental module, we have to calculate. 164 00:11:15,080 --> 00:11:22,080 We cannot understand phenomena without mathematics. 165 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:25,080 We need to analyze the data obtained. 166 00:11:25,080 --> 00:11:27,080 And a final question, Mr. Kitahara. 167 00:11:27,080 --> 00:11:32,080 What do you think space exploration will be like in, say, ten years? 168 00:11:32,080 --> 00:11:41,080 Well, it's a difficult question, but I feel ten years is long or ten years short. 169 00:11:41,080 --> 00:11:43,080 It depends. 170 00:11:43,080 --> 00:11:48,080 About 30 years ago, Apollo astronauts landed on the moon. 171 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:51,080 I think that was their first space exploration. 172 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:58,080 And I think it will need more time to explore beyond that. 173 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:03,080 But I think the preparation for that will begin within ten years. 174 00:12:03,080 --> 00:12:11,080 I think such a huge program will never be realized without international cooperation. 175 00:12:11,080 --> 00:12:15,080 And I think it's a young generation to realize it. 176 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:21,080 How is math involved in the future of space transportation? 177 00:12:21,080 --> 00:12:25,080 Hello, I'm Anna Ratzman. I'm working for the Swedish Space Corporation. 178 00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:31,080 I'm an electrical engineer, and I've been working as a designer, as a system engineer, and as a manager. 179 00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:37,080 You need a mathematician to be able to design the satellite, to be able to know how to launch it into space, 180 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:42,080 and also to be able to understand the data that you get back to solve the problems. 181 00:12:42,080 --> 00:12:46,080 Right now, we have a satellite, Odin, looking for ozone holes. 182 00:12:46,080 --> 00:12:50,080 You know, I have two children of my own, and they're your age. 183 00:12:50,080 --> 00:12:54,080 And I'm worried about the pollution, how we use water. 184 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:58,080 And I think we can use space to get the right answer on this. 185 00:12:58,080 --> 00:13:04,080 I just would like to say this. You need the math to be able to ask and understand the big questions. 186 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:20,080 We're here at the NASA Ames exhibit at World Space Congress, and I'm here with Kevin Bass. 187 00:13:20,080 --> 00:13:23,080 Kevin works at NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California. 188 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:26,080 Kevin, tell me some of the cool things that you're working on. 189 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:32,080 I get to work with a lot of fun toys, but one of my favorites is the PSA, the Personal Satellite Assistant. 190 00:13:32,080 --> 00:13:34,080 Tell me about the PSA. 191 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:40,080 The main goal of the PSA is to be a palm pilot, if you will, for each astronaut. 192 00:13:40,080 --> 00:13:45,080 So hopefully, each astronaut will have one of these on the International Space Station. 193 00:13:45,080 --> 00:13:48,080 It'll fly around like a little buddy up on their shoulder, 194 00:13:48,080 --> 00:13:54,080 and it'll have a very wide array of sensors and other features, things that it can do. 195 00:13:54,080 --> 00:13:57,080 One of them would be video teleconferencing. 196 00:13:57,080 --> 00:14:05,080 So we can use this with anybody in the mission control or with somebody, say, the scientists that are on Earth. 197 00:14:05,080 --> 00:14:09,080 So while the astronauts are working on a specific science experiment, 198 00:14:09,080 --> 00:14:14,080 the scientists can actually interact with the astronaut while they're doing the experiment. 199 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:16,080 So can it talk to the astronauts? 200 00:14:16,080 --> 00:14:18,080 The PSA can take voice commands. 201 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:21,080 So if the astronaut is curious about a specific compartment, 202 00:14:21,080 --> 00:14:25,080 it can fly to that specific compartment and take temperature readings 203 00:14:25,080 --> 00:14:29,080 or what other type of sensor readings that it needs to, 204 00:14:29,080 --> 00:14:32,080 and then dictate back to the astronaut what's happening. 205 00:14:32,080 --> 00:14:37,080 Possibly in an event of overheating or things like that, 206 00:14:37,080 --> 00:14:42,080 it could also turn fans on and off or open and close hatch doors, things like that. 207 00:14:42,080 --> 00:14:43,080 Now, wait a minute. 208 00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:46,080 You said this is going to fly around. 209 00:14:46,080 --> 00:14:49,080 How is this going to fly around the International Space Station? 210 00:14:49,080 --> 00:14:51,080 Well, there are many different ways that it flies around. 211 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:58,080 It has a wide array of infrared sensors as well as the cameras and a few other functions inside 212 00:14:58,080 --> 00:15:03,080 that it can use to fly itself around the International Space Station. 213 00:15:03,080 --> 00:15:05,080 So it doesn't use fuel to propel itself? 214 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:07,080 It's propelled by fans. 215 00:15:07,080 --> 00:15:12,080 There's 12 fans on here, and each set of fans moves it in a specific direction. 216 00:15:12,080 --> 00:15:15,080 So I guess robotics plays a really big part, 217 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:18,080 will play a really big part in the future of space exploration. 218 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:19,080 Absolutely. 219 00:15:19,080 --> 00:15:24,080 Robotics is the number one way to explore space without putting human lives in jeopardy. 220 00:15:24,080 --> 00:15:25,080 I agree. 221 00:15:25,080 --> 00:15:26,080 Thank you so much, Kevin. 222 00:15:26,080 --> 00:15:27,080 We appreciate it. 223 00:15:27,080 --> 00:15:28,080 Sure. 224 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:30,080 Well, let's see where we're off to next. 225 00:15:30,080 --> 00:15:39,080 Music 226 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:43,080 Well, we just left Kevin, and we've moved around the NASA Ames exhibit, 227 00:15:43,080 --> 00:15:46,080 and I'm here with Jim Murphy, who works at NASA Ames Research Center. 228 00:15:46,080 --> 00:15:49,080 Jim, what are some of the technologies you're working on? 229 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:56,080 We have here one of the five tools that we're working on for the Mars Exploration Rover Project at JPL. 230 00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:58,080 This is called the MER board. 231 00:15:58,080 --> 00:15:59,080 MER stands for? 232 00:15:59,080 --> 00:16:02,080 Mars Exploration Rover Project. 233 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:06,080 This is an advanced electronic collaborative whiteboard. 234 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:10,080 We have the ability to pull up images from the scientific database. 235 00:16:10,080 --> 00:16:16,080 You see a typical image here, and then draw those into the whiteboard space, 236 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:21,080 where, with a set of tools, the scientists can mark this up, point out targets, 237 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:27,080 and interact and use this as their planning tool. 238 00:16:27,080 --> 00:16:33,080 The other feature of this is the ability, then, to save what they have done with these images 239 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:37,080 and share them to the different groups, the other planning groups. 240 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:41,080 So, again, it's a very interactive, collaborative tool 241 00:16:41,080 --> 00:16:47,080 that will be used in the very short operational planning cycle every day for MER. 242 00:16:47,080 --> 00:16:51,080 Now, how do the scientists and engineers that are working on the MER project 243 00:16:51,080 --> 00:16:54,080 actually get the information from the Mars rovers? 244 00:16:54,080 --> 00:16:57,080 It's actually quite a complex process. 245 00:16:57,080 --> 00:17:03,080 The rovers are on Mars and have their storage of data and then radio links, 246 00:17:03,080 --> 00:17:08,080 and those radio links go up to orbiters that are in orbit in Mars 247 00:17:08,080 --> 00:17:14,080 and also, in some cases, direct to the large antennas in the deep space network down on Earth. 248 00:17:14,080 --> 00:17:18,080 In any case, all of the data comes down to the deep state space network 249 00:17:19,080 --> 00:17:24,080 and then over a network is sent to the operations center in the data center at JPL 250 00:17:24,080 --> 00:17:29,080 and finally into databases and files that store the data 251 00:17:29,080 --> 00:17:32,080 and can be accessed with the kind of tools that we talk about. 252 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:34,080 So it's quite a complex process. 253 00:17:34,080 --> 00:17:41,080 On a daily basis, the scientists and engineers have to retrieve this data, 254 00:17:41,080 --> 00:17:45,080 assess it scientifically, engineering-wise, 255 00:17:45,080 --> 00:17:51,080 and then again plan the next set of commands and sequences for the rover 256 00:17:51,080 --> 00:17:56,080 and take into account what kind of transmission capability they'll have 257 00:17:56,080 --> 00:17:59,080 as, in fact, to get data back again from the rover. 258 00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:03,080 So they have to take all of these factors into account in their daily operation. 259 00:18:03,080 --> 00:18:06,080 Sounds like the scientists and engineers are in a time crunch. 260 00:18:06,080 --> 00:18:07,080 Yeah, they're in a time crunch. 261 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:12,080 They literally have several hours every day to go through this process. 262 00:18:12,080 --> 00:18:18,080 Music 263 00:18:18,080 --> 00:18:21,080 What is space transportation going to be like 10 years from now? 264 00:18:21,080 --> 00:18:24,080 What would you like to see being done in space in the next 10 years? 265 00:18:24,080 --> 00:18:27,080 How does math play a key role in your research? 266 00:18:27,080 --> 00:18:29,080 When do you think we'll be going to Mars? 267 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:31,080 Hi, my name is Steve Cook. 268 00:18:31,080 --> 00:18:34,080 I'm the deputy manager of the Advanced Space Transportation Program 269 00:18:34,080 --> 00:18:36,080 at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. 270 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:40,080 We're responsible for developing the next generations of reusable space transportation systems 271 00:18:40,080 --> 00:18:44,080 to make it much more safe, affordable, and routine to get to space, 272 00:18:44,080 --> 00:18:50,080 along with getting in space much faster between Earth and the outer planets and beyond. 273 00:18:50,080 --> 00:18:53,080 Math is critical to the future of space transportation. 274 00:18:53,080 --> 00:18:57,080 We use math every day in developing new trajectories that'll take us to orbit. 275 00:18:57,080 --> 00:19:01,080 We use it in developing new propulsion systems and computational fluid dynamics. 276 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:05,080 From research to test, math factors into everything we do. 277 00:19:06,080 --> 00:19:11,080 Ten years from now, we envision that we'll have much safer access to space 278 00:19:11,080 --> 00:19:14,080 through our second generation reusable launch vehicle. 279 00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:18,080 As we look to space propulsion, we've got some exciting things that are going on. 280 00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:22,080 We look to being able to move faster between Earth and the outer planets 281 00:19:22,080 --> 00:19:26,080 through advanced electric propulsion, through advanced vision technologies, 282 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:30,080 and within Earth's orbit with advanced tether technologies 10 years from now. 283 00:19:30,080 --> 00:19:35,080 We're developing the building blocks for you, the next generation of space explorers. 284 00:19:43,080 --> 00:19:45,080 I'm with Dr. Joel Levine. 285 00:19:45,080 --> 00:19:49,080 Dr. Levine works at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. 286 00:19:49,080 --> 00:19:52,080 Dr. Levine, what kind of a plane is this? 287 00:19:52,080 --> 00:19:57,080 Jennifer, this is an airplane that we hope one day will fly through the atmosphere of Mars 288 00:19:57,080 --> 00:20:01,080 to study the atmosphere, the surface, and the interior of the red planet. 289 00:20:01,080 --> 00:20:04,080 Wow. I mean, the plane will be exactly like this? 290 00:20:04,080 --> 00:20:08,080 Actually, this is half scale, so the real airplane will be twice the size. 291 00:20:08,080 --> 00:20:13,080 Dr. Levine, exactly how will this plane survey the entire planet of Mars? 292 00:20:13,080 --> 00:20:16,080 Well, it won't survey the whole entire planet of Mars, Jennifer. 293 00:20:16,080 --> 00:20:19,080 It will fly regional scale distances. 294 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:22,080 It will fly about a mile above the surface of Mars. 295 00:20:22,080 --> 00:20:25,080 It will measure gases in the atmosphere. 296 00:20:25,080 --> 00:20:28,080 It will measure the composition and mineralogy of the surface. 297 00:20:28,080 --> 00:20:34,080 It will take photographs of the surface, and it will measure the magnetic field in the surface of Mars. 298 00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:36,080 Will this vehicle be manned? 299 00:20:36,080 --> 00:20:38,080 This is a robotic mission. 300 00:20:38,080 --> 00:20:41,080 The whole mission will be preprogrammed by an onboard computer, 301 00:20:41,080 --> 00:20:44,080 and it will determine the whole sequence of events. 302 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:46,080 Now, tell me a little bit about mathematics. 303 00:20:46,080 --> 00:20:52,080 I mean, do you think mathematics plays a key role in having a plane such as this one survey Mars? 304 00:20:52,080 --> 00:20:55,080 Yes, Jennifer. In fact, mathematics is very important, 305 00:20:55,080 --> 00:21:00,080 because mathematics determines where we send the plane into Mars, 306 00:21:00,080 --> 00:21:04,080 how the orbit is determined, and where the airplane will fly. 307 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:10,080 The trajectory of the spacecraft to Mars is based on celestial mechanics, which is all mathematics. 308 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:15,080 And the area on Mars where the plane will fly is all determined by mathematics. 309 00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:20,080 Mathematics is very important to get the airplane to Mars, 310 00:21:20,080 --> 00:21:24,080 and then once in the vicinity of Mars to fly through the atmosphere. 311 00:21:24,080 --> 00:21:27,080 What is the time frame for having this plane survey Mars? 312 00:21:27,080 --> 00:21:31,080 We think we can launch in 2007, 313 00:21:31,080 --> 00:21:36,080 and about eight or nine months later fly through the atmosphere of Mars, 2008. 314 00:21:36,080 --> 00:21:43,080 And interestingly, just about a hundred years after the first flight of a powered plane on Earth, 315 00:21:43,080 --> 00:21:46,080 the Wright brothers. 316 00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:52,080 This will be a very exciting way to commemorate this very historic event in human history. 317 00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:54,080 All right, so let's go beyond 2008. 318 00:21:54,080 --> 00:21:57,080 What do you think is the future of space exploration? 319 00:21:57,080 --> 00:22:00,080 Well, up to now we've put orbiters around planets, 320 00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:03,080 we've put landers on the surface and rovers on the surface, 321 00:22:03,080 --> 00:22:06,080 and now we're talking about a brand new technology, 322 00:22:06,080 --> 00:22:09,080 the use of airplanes for scientific exploration, 323 00:22:09,080 --> 00:22:11,080 to do things that you can't do from orbit, 324 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:14,080 and to do things that you can't do from the surface. 325 00:22:14,080 --> 00:22:17,080 We believe airplanes are the scientific platform of the future 326 00:22:17,080 --> 00:22:20,080 to explore planets that have atmospheres. 327 00:22:22,080 --> 00:22:26,080 At World Space Congress 2002, not only are there tons of exhibits, 328 00:22:26,080 --> 00:22:29,080 but there are lots of students and young professionals here. 329 00:22:29,080 --> 00:22:34,080 I'm here with a group of students called the Space Generation Advisory Council, 330 00:22:34,080 --> 00:22:37,080 and we're going to talk to them and find out exactly what they do. 331 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:41,080 This is Shane. Shane, tell me about this program. 332 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:44,080 Thanks, Jennifer. I'm with the Space Generation Advisory Council. 333 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:47,080 We represent the world's use on various types of space activities. 334 00:22:47,080 --> 00:22:50,080 We also work on many different projects throughout the world. 335 00:22:50,080 --> 00:22:55,080 Two of them include a bus trip across Africa to teach African youth about space. 336 00:22:55,080 --> 00:23:00,080 The second project we do is to distribute telescopes to inner-city youth across the United States. 337 00:23:00,080 --> 00:23:04,080 This past weekend, the Space Generation Advisory Council held the Space Generation Summit, 338 00:23:04,080 --> 00:23:09,080 where we gathered over 200 young people from 47 countries around the world 339 00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:12,080 to come up with a vision on the future of space exploration. 340 00:23:12,080 --> 00:23:16,080 These people came up with projects, ideas, so that we can get into space now. 341 00:23:16,080 --> 00:23:20,080 Coming to the Space Generation Summit has been a fantastic opportunity for me 342 00:23:20,080 --> 00:23:24,080 because I get together with people my own age who are as enthusiastic about space as I am. 343 00:23:24,080 --> 00:23:27,080 Together we've put together some plans on how we're going to get to space, 344 00:23:27,080 --> 00:23:31,080 and one of them includes developing a center to work on space propulsion. 345 00:23:31,080 --> 00:23:34,080 I believe that space travel should be as easy as catching a bus, 346 00:23:34,080 --> 00:23:36,080 and together we're going to make that happen. 347 00:23:36,080 --> 00:23:42,080 During the Space Generation Summit, we shared the definition of ethics and human rights in outer space activities, 348 00:23:42,080 --> 00:23:47,080 and we found out how to protect the space environment for all of us, including space generation, 349 00:23:47,080 --> 00:23:51,080 next space generation, and in currently developing countries. 350 00:23:51,080 --> 00:23:58,080 Well, at Space Generation Summit, my working group focused on space to enhance life on Earth. 351 00:23:58,080 --> 00:24:04,080 And basically, the main topic was to use mobile and satellite communication 352 00:24:04,080 --> 00:24:10,080 in terms of disaster management and emergency relief in developed nations 353 00:24:10,080 --> 00:24:17,080 to use the available information that is provided through the satellites and NASA and ESA. 354 00:24:17,080 --> 00:24:22,080 We believe that every child all around the world should be educated about space. 355 00:24:25,080 --> 00:24:27,080 You know, I haven't seen Bianca in quite a while. 356 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:30,080 I wonder what's going on at the TV tournament. 357 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:35,080 Hi, Jennifer. I'm here with 30 kids from the Houston Independent School District in Houston, Texas, 358 00:24:35,080 --> 00:24:38,080 taking part in the TV math tournament in cooperation with NASA. 359 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:40,080 The game is called Space TV. 360 00:24:40,080 --> 00:24:43,080 It's an exciting math-based strategy and critical thinking game 361 00:24:43,080 --> 00:24:49,080 that will enhance students' basic math skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division 362 00:24:49,080 --> 00:24:57,080 by using decimals, fractions, percentages, integers, square roots, and exponents. 363 00:24:57,080 --> 00:25:02,080 The list of materials you'll need for this activity can be downloaded from the NASA Connect website. 364 00:25:02,080 --> 00:25:05,080 Organize students into groups of two. 365 00:25:05,080 --> 00:25:09,080 Distribute a game board and the necessary materials for each group. 366 00:25:09,080 --> 00:25:13,080 Each player selects a tivet color piece or movable playing piece. 367 00:25:13,080 --> 00:25:15,080 The white tivet player moves first. 368 00:25:15,080 --> 00:25:19,080 The gray tivet player gets the last move if a legal move is available. 369 00:25:19,080 --> 00:25:21,080 There are four legal moves. 370 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:26,080 You can move forward one diagonal space, jump over one tivet, 371 00:25:26,080 --> 00:25:30,080 jump two or more tivets of either color in one turn. 372 00:25:30,080 --> 00:25:33,080 To do that, there must be an empty goal between jump tivets. 373 00:25:33,080 --> 00:25:37,080 And you can move on to or jump through a black hole goal. 374 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:41,080 Remember, you cannot move a tivet piece sideways. 375 00:25:41,080 --> 00:25:46,080 You cannot move into or jump through your opponent's seven exclusive score goals. 376 00:25:46,080 --> 00:25:50,080 You cannot move into or jump through your opponent's home base. 377 00:25:50,080 --> 00:25:53,080 Or you can't jump over a vacant goal. 378 00:25:53,080 --> 00:25:56,080 Choose a game sheet that you want to play. 379 00:25:56,080 --> 00:26:01,080 There are different game sheets to choose from depending on what basic math skill you want to address. 380 00:26:01,080 --> 00:26:05,080 Choose a tivet symbol and numbers you want to use with the game sheet chosen. 381 00:26:05,080 --> 00:26:10,080 For example, use the tivet sets for answers without remainders. 382 00:26:10,080 --> 00:26:16,080 Using these tivets may have answers with remainders, or you can play with the whole number rounding. 383 00:26:16,080 --> 00:26:20,080 The game is over when one player captures all seven exclusive score goals 384 00:26:20,080 --> 00:26:25,080 and the two common score goals are captured, or when neither player has a forward legal move. 385 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:28,080 Students will then fill out the score sheet. 386 00:26:28,080 --> 00:26:32,080 Make sure you double check your answers, because once the score sheets have been filled out, 387 00:26:32,080 --> 00:26:35,080 students will exchange score sheets and check each other's work. 388 00:26:35,080 --> 00:26:39,080 For advanced playing, using the force jump, blocking, or trapping, 389 00:26:39,080 --> 00:26:44,080 check out the educator's guide, which can be downloaded from the NASA Connect website. 390 00:26:44,080 --> 00:26:46,080 So what do you think of this really cool math game? 391 00:26:46,080 --> 00:26:48,080 I like it because it makes you think a lot, 392 00:26:48,080 --> 00:26:53,080 and you have to position the players exactly where you want to put the players on the board. 393 00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:56,080 I like this math game a lot because it's the beginning of the year. 394 00:26:56,080 --> 00:27:02,080 I didn't understand fractions and decimals, and our math teacher introduced it to us. 395 00:27:02,080 --> 00:27:04,080 I really like it. It's really fun. 396 00:27:04,080 --> 00:27:08,080 Well, Jennifer, I can tell you these kids had a great time playing this game. 397 00:27:08,080 --> 00:27:09,080 Back to you. 398 00:27:09,080 --> 00:27:12,080 Well, that wraps up another episode of NASA Connect. 399 00:27:12,080 --> 00:27:15,080 We'd like to thank everyone who helped make this episode possible. 400 00:27:15,080 --> 00:27:18,080 Got a question, a comment, or a suggestion? 401 00:27:18,080 --> 00:27:21,080 Then write us at NASA Center for Distance Learning, 402 00:27:21,080 --> 00:27:27,080 NASA Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 400, Hampton, Virginia, 23681, 403 00:27:27,080 --> 00:27:32,080 or send us an e-mail at connect at lark.nasa.gov. 404 00:27:32,080 --> 00:27:39,080 So until next time, stay connected to math, science, technology, and NASA. 405 00:27:39,080 --> 00:27:43,080 And where do you think space exploration will be in the next ten years? 406 00:27:50,080 --> 00:27:52,080 How this? This? 407 00:27:52,080 --> 00:27:56,080 And NASA is the core of Japanese space… 408 00:27:56,080 --> 00:28:01,080 I'm working at the Swedish Space Corporation. It's a company from Sweden. 409 00:28:01,080 --> 00:28:04,080 We are the… 410 00:28:04,080 --> 00:28:07,080 How do you think space reach… 411 00:28:10,080 --> 00:28:14,080 Now, they're on the ground. I mean, why would we want to bring them up to Earth? 412 00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:20,080 You want me to do it? 413 00:28:20,080 --> 00:28:22,080 When do you think we'll be going home? 414 00:28:26,080 --> 00:28:29,080 Captioning funded by the NAC Foundation of America.