1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:21,000 Hi, welcome to Space Station Alpha. I'm Commander Bill Shepard, and these are my fellow crewmates, 2 00:00:21,000 --> 00:00:26,840 Flight Engineer Sergei Krikalev and Soyuz pilot Yuri Gedenko. And right now we're orbiting 3 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:33,560 230 miles above the Earth. On today's NASA Connect, you'll learn how NASA researchers 4 00:00:33,560 --> 00:00:39,480 are working together with international resources aboard Space Station Alpha. You'll observe 5 00:00:39,480 --> 00:00:45,160 NASA engineers and researchers using math, science and technology to solve their everyday 6 00:00:45,160 --> 00:00:50,520 problems. Plus, you'll get to construct your own model of the space station and check out 7 00:00:50,520 --> 00:00:56,280 an interactive website that's out of this world. So stay tuned and hop aboard for another 8 00:00:56,280 --> 00:01:00,280 exciting episode of NASA Connect. 9 00:01:00,280 --> 00:01:20,280 Music 10 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,280 Wait, I think I see them! 11 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:24,280 There they go! 12 00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:26,280 Wow, they're traveling pretty fast. 13 00:01:26,280 --> 00:01:28,280 They sure are. Thanks guys! 14 00:01:28,280 --> 00:01:30,280 Bye! 15 00:01:30,280 --> 00:01:34,280 Hey, did you know that the space station is orbiting our Earth right now? And it's so 16 00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:38,280 big that sometimes you can see it travel across the sky. 17 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:44,280 That's right. Later on in the show, we'll tell you how. But first, welcome to NASA Connect, 18 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:48,280 the show that connects you to math, science, technology and NASA. 19 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:52,280 This is Tranquility Park in downtown Houston, Texas. I'm Jennifer Pulley. 20 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:54,280 And I'm Van Hughes. 21 00:01:54,280 --> 00:01:58,280 Now before we start the show, make sure your teacher has the lesson guide for today's program. 22 00:01:58,280 --> 00:02:02,280 It can be downloaded from our NASA Connect website. You'll want to keep your eyes on 23 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:08,280 our friend Norbert because every time he appears with questions like this, have your cue cards 24 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:12,280 from the lesson guide and your brain ready to answer the questions he gives you. And 25 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:16,280 teachers, when you see Norbert with a remote, that's your cue to pause the videotape and 26 00:02:16,280 --> 00:02:18,280 discuss the cue card questions. 27 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:22,280 Today, we're at NASA Johnson Space Center here in Houston. 28 00:02:22,280 --> 00:02:24,280 Why? 29 00:02:24,280 --> 00:02:28,280 To learn about the International Space Station, or the ISS, and the people who make it work. 30 00:02:28,280 --> 00:02:34,280 The ISS is a huge laboratory being built in orbit. Scientists on the ground will send 31 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:38,280 their research to the station to be performed by astronauts from all around the world. 32 00:02:38,280 --> 00:02:44,280 There are 16 countries participating in the largest and most expensive laboratory ever 33 00:02:44,280 --> 00:02:48,280 built in space. By working together rather than competing, top scientists from around 34 00:02:48,280 --> 00:02:52,280 the world can collaborate and share information. 35 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:56,280 Using the United States Space Shuttle and various rockets from other countries, it will 36 00:02:56,280 --> 00:03:02,280 take more than 100 space flights to assemble the 100-plus components of the ISS. 37 00:03:02,280 --> 00:03:07,280 The ISS will be about the size of a football field. It will weigh approximately 1 million 38 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:13,280 pounds or over 100 adult elephants, approximately total the volume of a 747 jumbo jet, and 39 00:03:14,280 --> 00:03:18,280 generate enough power to light up more than 40 average homes. 40 00:03:18,280 --> 00:03:21,280 How will the International Space Station get all that power? 41 00:03:21,280 --> 00:03:27,280 From the sun. Giant solar arrays will capture the energy from the sun and convert it to 42 00:03:27,280 --> 00:03:32,280 electricity. We'll learn more about the parts of the space station and what they do a little later. 43 00:03:32,280 --> 00:03:37,280 As we witnessed from the Expedition 1 crew, the first full-time residents on the ISS, 44 00:03:37,280 --> 00:03:42,280 the space station now supports human life. During Expedition 1's five-month space stay, 45 00:03:42,280 --> 00:03:47,280 the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis delivered and installed the first U.S. laboratory, 46 00:03:47,280 --> 00:03:52,280 Destiny. This lab, built by the Boeing Company at the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, 47 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:57,280 is the centerpiece for scientific research on the station and will support many experiments. 48 00:03:57,280 --> 00:04:02,280 Space station crews will continue to rotate shifts every four to six months, preparing 49 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:07,280 the station for the arrival of more components and beginning scientific research. 50 00:04:07,280 --> 00:04:10,280 Why build an International Space Station? 51 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:15,280 Great question. If you'd like to study sound, you'd go to a quiet room. If you'd like to 52 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:20,280 study light, you'd go to a dark room. And if you'd like to study the effects of gravity, 53 00:04:20,280 --> 00:04:24,280 you'd want to go into an anti-gravity room. But since there's no such thing on Earth, 54 00:04:24,280 --> 00:04:26,280 we have the ISS. 55 00:04:26,280 --> 00:04:32,280 On board the ISS, a microgravity environment is created. This is where the effects of gravity 56 00:04:32,280 --> 00:04:38,280 are reduced compared to those experienced here on Earth. You see, the ISS is in a continuous 57 00:04:38,280 --> 00:04:44,280 state of free fall around the Earth, causing the astronauts and objects inside to appear 58 00:04:44,280 --> 00:04:50,280 to float and be weightless. You can experience free fall when you jump off a diving board. 59 00:04:50,280 --> 00:04:55,280 You are practically weightless until you hit the water. 60 00:04:55,280 --> 00:04:59,280 But how does the space station stay in orbit if it's falling towards the Earth? 61 00:04:59,280 --> 00:05:04,280 Here's an analogy. 300 years ago, a great scientist by the name of Sir Isaac Newton 62 00:05:04,280 --> 00:05:09,280 imagined an experiment in his head. He pictured a cannon on top of a very tall mountain. 63 00:05:09,280 --> 00:05:14,280 When he fired the cannon, the cannonball would soon fall to Earth. But if he used a cannon 64 00:05:14,280 --> 00:05:19,280 with more power, the cannonball would go halfway around the Earth before it landed. And if 65 00:05:19,280 --> 00:05:23,280 he used a super-duper cannon, the cannonball would go so fast that it would fall at the 66 00:05:23,280 --> 00:05:27,280 same rate that the Earth's surface is curving away beneath it. 67 00:05:27,280 --> 00:05:32,280 This super-fast cannonball would never hit the Earth. It would be in orbit. And if you 68 00:05:32,280 --> 00:05:36,280 were sitting on the cannonball, you would feel weightless. NASA uses rockets instead 69 00:05:36,280 --> 00:05:40,280 of a cannon, and the ISS instead of a cannonball. 70 00:05:40,280 --> 00:05:44,280 By understanding the effects of gravity, we can learn why things behave the way they do. 71 00:05:44,280 --> 00:05:48,280 Take the human body, for instance. How does a microgravity environment affect the residents 72 00:05:48,280 --> 00:05:51,280 of the ISS? One of our guests will fill us in. 73 00:05:51,280 --> 00:05:56,280 The ISS will also give students like you first-hand experience with the space program. Get this. 74 00:05:56,280 --> 00:06:02,280 From your own classroom, you can talk via amateur radio to the astronauts on board the ISS. 75 00:06:02,280 --> 00:06:07,280 Or learn about Earth from the unique perspective of space with EarthCAM, which stands for 76 00:06:07,280 --> 00:06:10,280 Earth Knowledge Acquired by Middle School Students. 77 00:06:10,280 --> 00:06:14,280 The EarthCAM has already flown on five shuttle missions involving students nationally and 78 00:06:14,280 --> 00:06:18,280 internationally. Visit the EarthCAM website to learn more. 79 00:06:18,280 --> 00:06:22,280 And don't forget, later in the show you'll be constructing your own model of the ISS. 80 00:06:22,280 --> 00:06:26,280 But before we do that, let's learn about some of the parts that make up the space station. 81 00:06:28,280 --> 00:06:31,280 How will a space shuttle attach to the ISS? 82 00:06:31,280 --> 00:06:36,280 Describe two ways that the International Space Station will stay in Earth's orbit. 83 00:06:36,280 --> 00:06:42,280 Describe the function of the solar arrays, thermal radiators, robotic arm, and truss. 84 00:06:44,280 --> 00:06:48,280 I'd like to welcome NASA Connect this morning to the Johnson Space Center here in Houston. 85 00:06:48,280 --> 00:06:54,280 My name is Connie VanPray-Cremins and I work with the International Space Station program doing outreach and communications. 86 00:06:54,280 --> 00:06:58,280 What we're building in outer space is a world-class research facility. 87 00:06:58,280 --> 00:07:01,280 The United States NASA is the lead integrator of the program. 88 00:07:01,280 --> 00:07:09,280 ESA, the European Space Agency, the Russian Space Agency, the Japanese Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency 89 00:07:09,280 --> 00:07:17,280 all own the International Space Station and as partners bring elements and people and training and research 90 00:07:17,280 --> 00:07:21,280 and all the facilities that we're building to our orbiting facility. 91 00:07:21,280 --> 00:07:27,280 In 1998 we began with a Russian-built, U.S. paid-for module called Zarya. 92 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:32,280 What it was is the initial power block and brains of the station. 93 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:37,280 Soon after that we launched Unity. That was a Boeing-built, United States element. 94 00:07:37,280 --> 00:07:43,280 Unity is one of three connecting bridge modules that will be put on the International Space Station. 95 00:07:43,280 --> 00:07:46,280 After we put Unity up came the service module. 96 00:07:46,280 --> 00:07:50,280 That's an entirely Russian element. It's Russian-built and Russian-launched. 97 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:55,280 And service module actually took over much of the functions that we had of Zarya. 98 00:07:55,280 --> 00:08:00,280 And it also is the place where the astronauts live, work, and sleep. 99 00:08:00,280 --> 00:08:03,280 How does the shuttle dock to the space station? 100 00:08:03,280 --> 00:08:07,280 Well, that's what Unity provides. Unity has six docking ports. 101 00:08:07,280 --> 00:08:12,280 So the shuttle comes up and docks to a pressurized mating adapter which is attached to the Unity bridge. 102 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:16,280 And then through there supplies can be moved into the space station. 103 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:20,280 So how will the station get power for the astronauts to use? 104 00:08:20,280 --> 00:08:29,280 From the sun. What the International Space Station has is a series of giant solar arrays, photovoltaic solar arrays. 105 00:08:29,280 --> 00:08:32,280 We have one set of arrays up there right now. 106 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:35,280 There will be four in total that will be aligned along the truss. 107 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:37,280 What exactly is a truss? 108 00:08:37,280 --> 00:08:40,280 The truss is a backbone girder-like structure. 109 00:08:40,280 --> 00:08:46,280 And you'll see this long, almost like steel beam crate box. 110 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:49,280 And that is literally what these solar arrays are going to be attached to. 111 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:52,280 It's what modules are hung from. 112 00:08:52,280 --> 00:08:54,280 And the astronauts will be walking along it. 113 00:08:54,280 --> 00:09:01,280 Also walking and riding along it will be the Canadian robotic arm system for the International Space Station. 114 00:09:01,280 --> 00:09:08,280 Attached to the arm is what we call a special dexterous manipulator system or a very smart hand 115 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:12,280 that will go along and pick up different parts, modules and move it around. 116 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:16,280 Okay, so I know that the solar arrays are on the truss. 117 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:18,280 But what are the other, like, panel things? 118 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:21,280 Van, you're probably talking about the thermal radiators. 119 00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:24,280 That's the heat rejection system. 120 00:09:24,280 --> 00:09:27,280 Much like an air conditioning system would function in your home, 121 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:33,280 the job of these radiators is to collect the buildup of heat and power generated internally 122 00:09:33,280 --> 00:09:37,280 and use it to move that heat outside the space station and dump it into space 123 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:43,280 so that we can maintain comfortable levels of working for the astronauts and for the systems. 124 00:09:43,280 --> 00:09:48,280 Now, I know the ISS is in a state of free fall, Connie, but how does it stay up in orbit? 125 00:09:48,280 --> 00:09:54,280 Well, initially, we have attitude control thrusters that will continue to operate throughout the life of the station. 126 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:58,280 These are the little jets that use fuel to keep our attitude. 127 00:09:58,280 --> 00:10:00,280 What do you mean by attitude control? 128 00:10:00,280 --> 00:10:06,280 Well, Jennifer, the space station has to maintain a certain position as it's being constructed. 129 00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:10,280 We want to get the maximum exposure to the sun for the arrays, 130 00:10:10,280 --> 00:10:15,280 so the attitude control is what keeps this position of the station. 131 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:19,280 So how do you know the pieces are going to fit together when you get them in space? 132 00:10:19,280 --> 00:10:24,280 Well, this is part of the miracle challenge that confronts the International Space Station program 133 00:10:24,280 --> 00:10:30,280 because these major elements have to fit together with hairline tolerance the first time when they're attached in Earth orbit. 134 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:35,280 All the flight elements are literally put in line on their way to get integrated into the shuttle. 135 00:10:35,280 --> 00:10:38,280 What we can't do physically, we're doing through software. 136 00:10:38,280 --> 00:10:44,280 In fact, controlling the International Space Station is going to take more than 2 million lines of computer code, 137 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:46,280 and we're learning valuable things through that testing. 138 00:10:46,280 --> 00:10:50,280 We're fixing problems before they ever become a problem on orbit. 139 00:10:50,280 --> 00:10:52,280 Thank you so much, Connie. 140 00:10:52,280 --> 00:10:57,280 Now that we've learned about some of the parts of the ISS, how would you like to build your own model? 141 00:10:57,280 --> 00:11:00,280 But wait, there's a catch. You have a question. 142 00:11:00,280 --> 00:11:06,280 NASA Connect traveled northwest to San Francisco, California for this program's classroom activity. 143 00:11:06,280 --> 00:11:13,280 Hi, we're from Alice Longview in San Francisco, California. 144 00:11:13,280 --> 00:11:19,280 NASA Connect has asked us to show you this program's classroom activity. 145 00:11:19,280 --> 00:11:23,280 You'll work in groups to design an alternative space station. 146 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:28,280 Then you'll create a model using everyday items like aluminum cans, cereal boxes, and straws. 147 00:11:28,280 --> 00:11:34,280 You'll analyze and interpret data to determine the best design based on budget restrictions, weight, 148 00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:36,280 and placement of the parts that you construct. 149 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:41,280 Teachers, make sure you download the lesson guide for this activity from the NASA Connect website. 150 00:11:41,280 --> 00:11:45,280 In it, you'll find a list of materials, directions, and student worksheets. 151 00:11:45,280 --> 00:11:51,280 We won't cover everything in the next few minutes, but we will give you a general idea about how it all goes together. 152 00:11:51,280 --> 00:11:57,280 To begin, your teacher will display the labeled picture of the ISS as it may appear upon completion. 153 00:11:57,280 --> 00:12:00,280 Discuss each component and its functions. 154 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:04,280 Okay, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration needs your help. 155 00:12:05,280 --> 00:12:11,280 They want you to design and build a model of an international space station, and your budget is $1 billion. 156 00:12:11,280 --> 00:12:14,280 Your first step is to construct the components. 157 00:12:14,280 --> 00:12:21,280 To power your station, you'll make photovoltaic, or PV, arrays using transparency film and craft sticks. 158 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:25,280 The thermal radiators used to cool the station are made with aluminum foil. 159 00:12:25,280 --> 00:12:28,280 A cardboard tube serves as the docking port. 160 00:12:28,280 --> 00:12:32,280 The habitation and laboratory modules are made with aluminum cans. 161 00:12:32,280 --> 00:12:37,280 The truss segments used to connect the modules are made from foam food trays. 162 00:12:38,280 --> 00:12:43,280 A small cereal box represents the core module of your space station. 163 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:46,280 Buttons are used to simulate the attitude control thrusters. 164 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:50,280 And for the robotic arm, use a flexible drinking straw. 165 00:12:50,280 --> 00:12:58,280 Find the total mass and total cost of each component using formulas provided in the lesson guide, and record the values on your student worksheet. 166 00:12:58,280 --> 00:13:04,280 Before you design and assemble your space station, you need to pay close attention to the constraints listed in Appendix A. 167 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:08,280 Okay, remember the budget for the space station is $1 billion. 168 00:13:08,280 --> 00:13:14,280 If you break a component or a section of the space station, you have to purchase a new one. 169 00:13:15,280 --> 00:13:19,280 Now decide how all the components of your space station will be arranged. 170 00:13:19,280 --> 00:13:23,280 Make a sketch before you start your actual assembly, and don't forget your constraints. 171 00:13:23,280 --> 00:13:26,280 Use tape and glue to put it all together. 172 00:13:26,280 --> 00:13:30,280 When your space station is assembled, the next step is to calculate the total mass. 173 00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:37,280 Because the ISS is being assembled in orbit, and not here on Earth, it's impossible to get the total mass at one time. 174 00:13:37,280 --> 00:13:44,280 Therefore, NASA determines the total mass by taking the sum of the individual components before they are launched into space. 175 00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:48,280 Since we are working with a model, there are two ways to calculate the total mass. 176 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:51,280 First, take the sum of the mass of the individual components. 177 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:54,280 Then use your balance to weight your completed model. 178 00:13:54,280 --> 00:14:01,280 Find the difference between the two masses and compare the accuracy of massing individual pieces with the mass of the entire space station. 179 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:07,280 If the difference is greater than 5 grams, you'll be charged a tax of $1 million per gram. 180 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:12,280 If the difference is less than or equal to 5 grams, then the space tax will not apply. 181 00:14:12,280 --> 00:14:15,280 Record any space tax on the data table. 182 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:23,280 Finally, calculate the total cost of your space station by taking the sums of costs for all your components and any space tax you owe. 183 00:14:23,280 --> 00:14:26,280 Did you meet your budget, or are you over budget? 184 00:14:26,280 --> 00:14:31,280 We would like to thank the San Jose AIAA student branch for helping us with this activity. 185 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:36,280 If you would like to learn more about the AIAA mentoring program, check out the NASA Connect website. 186 00:14:40,280 --> 00:14:44,280 So far, we've learned about a few of the parts that actually make up the International Space Station. 187 00:14:44,280 --> 00:14:49,280 That's right, and you've been given the opportunity to put together your own model of a space station. 188 00:14:49,280 --> 00:14:54,280 You know, I wonder how difficult it is for the astronauts to actually dock the shuttle to the space station. 189 00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:58,280 Technology is the key. Let's connect to Shelley Canright and learn more. 190 00:14:59,280 --> 00:15:04,280 NASA Connect traveled northeast to Chicago, Illinois for this program's web-based activity. 191 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:10,280 You're right, Jennifer. Technology can and will transform the way we train and educate. 192 00:15:10,280 --> 00:15:16,280 And that's why I've brought you here to Chicago, Illinois to introduce you to NASA Connect's museum partner, 193 00:15:16,280 --> 00:15:23,280 Adler Planetarium and Astronomy Museum, and to tempt you to apply your hands and your minds to an online spaceflight experience. 194 00:15:24,280 --> 00:15:30,280 As you can see, Adler offers the public many different ways to learn about and to explore science and astronomy. 195 00:15:35,280 --> 00:15:39,280 We're now here in the Solar System Gallery, where students from Bright Elementary School 196 00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:44,280 and the AIAA student branch of the Illinois Institute of Technology have gathered and are waiting for you 197 00:15:44,280 --> 00:15:50,280 to introduce you to a new website created especially for NASA Connect by the NASA Classroom of the Future, 198 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:52,280 which is located in Wheeling, West Virginia. 199 00:15:52,280 --> 00:15:56,280 Our friends at the Classroom of the Future have put together a unique experience 200 00:15:56,280 --> 00:16:01,280 that combines Internet-based simulations, hands-on activities, and orbital mechanics. 201 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:03,280 Orbital mechanics? 202 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:10,280 No, no, it's not about fixing things in space, but it's how things like motion, acceleration, and force 203 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:17,280 affect objects in space, like the planets, the moon, the stars, the U.S. Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station. 204 00:16:18,280 --> 00:16:22,280 So how about it, gang? Do you have the right stuff for this program's online challenge? 205 00:16:23,280 --> 00:16:27,280 From Norbert's lab on the NASA Connect website, click on the Activity button. 206 00:16:27,280 --> 00:16:32,280 Here you'll find the first hands-on experiment designed to get you ready to use the web-based orbital simulator. 207 00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:39,280 Using a plastic ruler, two glass or metal balls, a few cans, masking tape, and a stopwatch, 208 00:16:39,280 --> 00:16:43,280 you'll be able to define the difference between steady motion and acceleration. 209 00:16:44,280 --> 00:16:48,280 This simulator gives you the opportunity to view two objects orbiting a planet or star. 210 00:16:49,280 --> 00:16:56,280 By adjusting the orbital radius of one of the objects, you can begin to explore how radius, speed, and orbital period are all connected. 211 00:16:57,280 --> 00:17:00,280 After using the simulator, you'll begin to understand how to answer this question. 212 00:17:01,280 --> 00:17:06,280 How can we use our knowledge of orbits to help the Shuttle rendezvous with the International Space Station? 213 00:17:06,280 --> 00:17:12,280 The Shuttle ISS Orbital Simulator will get you ready for the actual docking activity you will do with your classmates. 214 00:17:13,280 --> 00:17:19,280 On this website, you will start with the Shuttle and ISS orbiting the Earth at the same altitude and 90 degrees apart. 215 00:17:20,280 --> 00:17:26,280 The challenge is to determine the most efficient way to position the two objects so that they are traveling at the same speed 216 00:17:26,280 --> 00:17:29,280 and close enough to each other to perform the visual docking maneuvers. 217 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:34,280 Now, let's start an activity that deals directly with the International Space Station. 218 00:17:35,280 --> 00:17:41,280 I'm Don Watson. I'm with NASA's Classroom of the Future and part of their International Space Station Challenge website activity. 219 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:43,280 Today, we're doing a docking simulation. 220 00:17:44,280 --> 00:17:50,280 We're going to do that by actually building a docking simulator using an office chair on wheels, tripod, video camera, 221 00:17:51,280 --> 00:17:53,280 a docking grid mounted in front, and a TV. 222 00:17:54,280 --> 00:17:56,280 We're also going to do command and control with two-way radios. 223 00:17:57,280 --> 00:18:00,280 We're having thrusters that are using ropes for control. 224 00:18:01,280 --> 00:18:03,280 And command and control is from Mission Control. 225 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:07,280 Mission Control's only reference is the video image that they see on the screen. 226 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:09,280 They give movement commands to the pilot. 227 00:18:10,280 --> 00:18:12,280 The pilot relays that information to the thrusters. 228 00:18:13,280 --> 00:18:17,280 The thrusters move, and hopefully we successfully rendezvous and dock to the space station. 229 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:22,280 All additional information about how to construct the docking challenge and the chair 230 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:26,280 and all activity-related material is at NASA's Connect website. 231 00:18:27,280 --> 00:18:32,280 Bringing to you the power of digital learning, I'm Shelley Canright for NASA Connect Online. 232 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:35,280 Bye! 233 00:18:36,280 --> 00:18:40,280 Technology really is the key to astronaut training and the tools they use. 234 00:18:41,280 --> 00:18:44,280 Right, but what about the research being conducted aboard the International Space Station? 235 00:18:45,280 --> 00:18:47,280 Yeah, and the microgravity environment. 236 00:18:47,280 --> 00:18:50,280 How does that affect the astronauts working and living in space? 237 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:55,280 Well, for answers, we came here, to Building 9 at the Johnson Space Center. 238 00:18:58,280 --> 00:19:02,280 What's unique about the research environment on the International Space Station? 239 00:19:03,280 --> 00:19:06,280 How does zero gravity affect fluids in your body? 240 00:19:07,280 --> 00:19:10,280 Describe the relationship between time and space and bone loss. 241 00:19:10,280 --> 00:19:13,280 As the research manager for the ISS program here at the Johnson Space Center, 242 00:19:14,280 --> 00:19:18,280 it's my job to communicate with scientists who want to do research onboard the space station. 243 00:19:19,280 --> 00:19:24,280 I also work with the builders of the station to be sure it's both a well-equipped laboratory and observatory. 244 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,280 You see, the ISS is about exploration, human exploration. 245 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,280 It's the place where we will learn to live and work in space. 246 00:19:33,280 --> 00:19:36,280 It's where we'll establish a permanent human presence in space. 247 00:19:36,280 --> 00:19:39,280 It's where we'll establish a permanent human presence in space 248 00:19:40,280 --> 00:19:43,280 and advance human exploration of our solar system. 249 00:19:44,280 --> 00:19:46,280 What kind of work will be conducted on the ISS? 250 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:50,280 Research. We will work on improving manufacturing processes, 251 00:19:51,280 --> 00:19:55,280 developing better health care, and researching tomorrow's products today. 252 00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:59,280 All this research will take place in the laboratories you saw earlier 253 00:20:00,280 --> 00:20:02,280 and in the unique, out-of-this-world environment of space. 254 00:20:02,280 --> 00:20:07,280 You see, the microgravity environment and the high vantage point for viewing Earth and the universe are unique. 255 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:13,280 The permanent space station allows experiments to run for longer times than we used to on the space shuttle 256 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:16,280 and gives scientists repeated access to these experiments. 257 00:20:17,280 --> 00:20:19,280 This research cannot be done on Earth. 258 00:20:20,280 --> 00:20:24,280 Well, Dr. Bartow, it sounds like a microgravity environment will help scientists make new discoveries. 259 00:20:25,280 --> 00:20:28,280 But how will microgravity affect the people living onboard the space station? 260 00:20:28,280 --> 00:20:29,280 Great question, Jennifer. 261 00:20:30,280 --> 00:20:37,280 The human body reacts immediately and dramatically to the microgravity environment we feel when we go into orbit around the Earth. 262 00:20:38,280 --> 00:20:41,280 Remember how you explained being on the station is like being in a state of freefall? 263 00:20:42,280 --> 00:20:45,280 It feels like there is no gravity. That's why we often call it zero-g. 264 00:20:46,280 --> 00:20:51,280 One of the first reactions of the body to zero-g is to push our internal fluids upward in our body. 265 00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:56,280 You see, on Earth, in one-g, our body works to push the fluids inside upward. 266 00:20:56,280 --> 00:21:00,280 So all the water, blood, and other fluids don't collect in your feet. 267 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:06,280 When the body first experiences zero-g, it continues to push the fluids up, as on Earth. 268 00:21:07,280 --> 00:21:12,280 But since there is no one-g pulling down anymore, the upper body and head ends up with too much fluid. 269 00:21:13,280 --> 00:21:20,280 If you've ever seen pictures of us in space on the first day, our faces are puffed up like chipmunks because of the extra fluid in our upper body. 270 00:21:20,280 --> 00:21:25,280 But the body quickly senses this condition and begins to move the fluids to different parts of the body. 271 00:21:26,280 --> 00:21:33,280 In about two or three days, we reach a new point of balance where our bodies have less fluid in our bloodstream than the average person on Earth. 272 00:21:34,280 --> 00:21:37,280 If you return to Earth's one-g in this state, you would probably faint. 273 00:21:38,280 --> 00:21:42,280 To counteract that, we fluid load just before returning to Earth. 274 00:21:43,280 --> 00:21:46,280 For instance, we drink at least one quart of water within one hour of returning, 275 00:21:46,280 --> 00:21:50,280 along with salt tablets, which keeps the water from passing directly to your bladder. 276 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:54,280 Wow! Well, how else does microgravity affect the human body? 277 00:21:55,280 --> 00:21:59,280 Well, Van, a longer-term effect, which also begins immediately, is the loss of bone mass. 278 00:22:00,280 --> 00:22:03,280 When you lose bone mass, your bones become brittle and can break very easily. 279 00:22:04,280 --> 00:22:09,280 Anyway, only about 400 humans have flown in space, and only a fraction of them were tested carefully for bone loss. 280 00:22:10,280 --> 00:22:12,280 The numbers so far are startling. 281 00:22:12,280 --> 00:22:16,280 Healthy space travelers lose bone mass ten times faster than people here on Earth. 282 00:22:17,280 --> 00:22:21,280 Whether in space for one week or one year, the rate of bone loss is about the same. 283 00:22:22,280 --> 00:22:25,280 Let me show you how important math is when determining bone loss. 284 00:22:26,280 --> 00:22:29,280 The percent of bone loss is a function of the length of time in space. 285 00:22:30,280 --> 00:22:36,280 L is the percent of bone loss, R is the rate of bone loss per month, and T is the time in space. 286 00:22:37,280 --> 00:22:43,280 So far, the data we've collected tells us that humans in space lose bone mass at a rate of 1% per month. 287 00:22:44,280 --> 00:22:50,280 The function L equals RT tells us that the longer you are in space, the more bone mass you lose. 288 00:22:51,280 --> 00:22:55,280 We have values of T up to 14 months, and the function appears linear. 289 00:22:56,280 --> 00:23:00,280 So far, we haven't had any astronauts in space for more than 14 months. 290 00:23:01,280 --> 00:23:06,280 This rate of bone loss could be a problem if we want to go on a three-year trip to Mars and back. 291 00:23:07,280 --> 00:23:10,280 That trip would cause a bone mass loss of 36%. 292 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:15,280 Our bones would be so brittle, any type of physical activity would be out of the question. 293 00:23:16,280 --> 00:23:17,280 This is not good news. 294 00:23:18,280 --> 00:23:22,280 We wish the function would level off eventually with time, and further bone loss would stop. 295 00:23:23,280 --> 00:23:24,280 So, how do you measure bone loss? 296 00:23:24,280 --> 00:23:30,280 Well, we measure bone loss by conducting tests like x-rays on the crew, both before and after they fly. 297 00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:33,280 Each person reacts differently to zero-g. 298 00:23:34,280 --> 00:23:40,280 So we need to put the data from many astronauts all together and use statistics to predict the effect on future crew members. 299 00:23:41,280 --> 00:23:44,280 We calculate means, medians, and standard deviation. 300 00:23:45,280 --> 00:23:50,280 Our statistics so far are not that good, because we have data on so few people. 301 00:23:50,280 --> 00:23:53,280 You see, when you average data from only a few people out of a large group, 302 00:23:54,280 --> 00:23:58,280 the result from those few people may not match the average of the larger group. 303 00:24:05,280 --> 00:24:10,280 However, if you collect data on hundreds of people, like ground-based medical research does, 304 00:24:11,280 --> 00:24:13,280 the average is more reliable and easier to predict. 305 00:24:14,280 --> 00:24:17,280 Because there are only a handful of good measurements on space flyers, 306 00:24:17,280 --> 00:24:19,280 our predicted average is less reliable. 307 00:24:20,280 --> 00:24:22,280 We just need to make many more measurements. 308 00:24:23,280 --> 00:24:26,280 We'll also study why we lose our bone mass. 309 00:24:27,280 --> 00:24:29,280 Then maybe we can develop drugs to stop the effect. 310 00:24:30,280 --> 00:24:33,280 In fact, the National Institutes of Health is working with us on this research. 311 00:24:34,280 --> 00:24:40,280 So you see, research on ISS is not only about improving life in space, but also improving life here on Earth. 312 00:24:41,280 --> 00:24:42,280 Well, thanks so much, Dr. Bartow. 313 00:24:43,280 --> 00:24:44,280 You're very welcome. 314 00:24:45,280 --> 00:24:50,280 Earlier in the program, Jennifer and I said you could see the ISS in the sky from your own backyard. 315 00:24:51,280 --> 00:24:54,280 Visit this website to see if the ISS will be flying over your city. 316 00:24:55,280 --> 00:25:01,280 Speaking of the Internet, how would you like to take a virtual tour of the ISS from your own computer? 317 00:25:03,280 --> 00:25:07,280 NASA Connect traveled northeast to NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia 318 00:25:08,280 --> 00:25:10,280 to find out about the Virtual International Space Station. 319 00:25:11,280 --> 00:25:14,280 The Virtual International Space Station, or VISS, 320 00:25:15,280 --> 00:25:19,280 is an immersive, three-dimensional model of the space station that can be installed on your computer. 321 00:25:20,280 --> 00:25:26,280 Once installed, you'll be able to walk about the interior and fly around the exterior of the ISS as if you were on a spacewalk. 322 00:25:27,280 --> 00:25:29,280 The virtual environment is similar to virtual computer games you may play. 323 00:25:30,280 --> 00:25:34,280 You can take a tour of each module of the station and click on the red question marks for additional information. 324 00:25:35,280 --> 00:25:40,280 The VISS allows you to have a realistic astronaut perspective on what it'll be like to work and live in the station. 325 00:25:41,280 --> 00:25:43,280 But, Pat, why was the Virtual International Space Station created? 326 00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:45,280 That's a good question. 327 00:25:46,280 --> 00:25:49,280 As you learned earlier, the space station allowed many different experiments to be conducted all at once. 328 00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:53,280 The problem is this can also make things difficult for the scientists and researchers. 329 00:25:54,280 --> 00:25:59,280 You see, there are hundreds and hundreds of documents that go into a bunch of detail about what the station can do. 330 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:04,280 Scientists and researchers who aren't familiar with the station's capabilities will have to sort through all those documents 331 00:26:05,280 --> 00:26:07,280 to find out if the ISS could help them with their experiments. 332 00:26:08,280 --> 00:26:12,280 The VISS was created so potential users of the station, like scientists, 333 00:26:13,280 --> 00:26:16,280 can use their computer and actually walk up to an experiment facility on the station, 334 00:26:17,280 --> 00:26:18,280 just like he or she would do to a book in a library, 335 00:26:19,280 --> 00:26:22,280 then quickly skim information to see if that facility would help with their research. 336 00:26:23,280 --> 00:26:28,280 Currently, the VISS is the only publicly available 3D environment to introduce people to the station. 337 00:26:29,280 --> 00:26:30,280 This is one of the many capabilities of the ISS. 338 00:26:31,280 --> 00:26:34,280 That's awesome. How can we get the Virtual ISS? 339 00:26:35,280 --> 00:26:38,280 You can download the Virtual International Space Station at this website. 340 00:26:39,280 --> 00:26:41,280 Because the tour includes the completed International Space Station, 341 00:26:42,280 --> 00:26:45,280 the files are quite large, so allow some time to download them. 342 00:26:46,280 --> 00:26:49,280 Well, you know, that wraps up another episode of NASA Connect. 343 00:26:50,280 --> 00:26:52,280 We'd like to thank everyone who helped make this episode possible. 344 00:26:53,280 --> 00:26:57,280 Yeah. Jennifer and I are waiting for your questions, comments, and suggestions. 345 00:26:57,280 --> 00:26:59,280 So write us at NASA Connect. 346 00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:05,280 NASA Langley Research Center, Mail Stop 400, Hampton, Virginia, 23681. 347 00:27:06,280 --> 00:27:11,280 Or email us at connect at edu.larc.nasa.gov. 348 00:27:12,280 --> 00:27:15,280 Teachers, if you would like a videotape of this program and the accompanying lesson guide, 349 00:27:16,280 --> 00:27:17,280 check out the NASA Connect website. 350 00:27:18,280 --> 00:27:23,280 From our site, you can link to CORE, the NASA Central Operation of Resources for Educators, 351 00:27:23,280 --> 00:27:27,280 or link to the NASA Educator Resource Center Network. 352 00:27:28,280 --> 00:27:34,280 Until next time, stay connected to math, science, technology, and NASA. 353 00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:36,280 See you then. See you. 354 00:27:40,280 --> 00:27:43,280 So you see, research on the ISS is not only about improving life. 355 00:27:44,280 --> 00:27:45,280 I'm so sorry. 356 00:27:46,280 --> 00:27:48,280 Great question. Sorry. 357 00:27:49,280 --> 00:27:51,280 If you'd like to study light, you'd go into... 358 00:27:52,280 --> 00:27:53,280 And telling people what we're doing. 359 00:27:54,280 --> 00:27:55,280 That was hard. 360 00:27:56,280 --> 00:27:57,280 Hey, that sounded good, though. 361 00:27:58,280 --> 00:27:59,280 You know what we're doing? I can tell you what we're doing. 362 00:28:00,280 --> 00:28:01,280 What we're doing is... 363 00:28:02,280 --> 00:28:06,280 Describe the functions of the Solar Arrays Robotic... 364 00:28:07,280 --> 00:28:08,280 I messed up, huh? 365 00:28:09,280 --> 00:28:13,280 Currently, the BISS is the only publicly available 3D model of the space station 366 00:28:14,280 --> 00:28:15,280 that tells people what a station can do. 367 00:28:16,280 --> 00:28:17,280 Wow. 368 00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:19,280 Cool. 369 00:28:20,280 --> 00:28:21,280 Busted. 370 00:28:22,280 --> 00:28:25,280 And it's so big that sometimes you can see it travel across the sky. 371 00:28:26,280 --> 00:28:28,280 That's right. Later on in the show, we'll tell you why.