Vocabulary
Contains atoms that have been stripped of their electrons as they accelerate through space at speeds close to the speed of light.
space radiation
The thermal motion of all particles at temperatures above absolute zero.
molecular diffusion
Where did NASA space shuttles land?
On a runway
What speed does orbital debris orbit the Earth?
17,500 mph
A collision with orbital debris could be catastrophic in space.
T/F
True
high-energy protons and heavy ions that originate outside our solar system
galactic cosmic rays
Protects us from radiation on Earth?
Atmosphere
How does NASA reduce the risk of radiation hazards to the Hubble telescope?
DAILY DOUBLE
Shutting it down entirely when it passes through high radiation zones
How many pieces of orbital debris is larger than a softball?
20,000
Why are micrometeoroids so dangerous to spacecraft?
DAILY DOUBLE
Because they cannot be tracked
Natural and man-made particles in space.
space debris
A type of space radiation?
Galactic cosmic waves
What is the most common option for fighting radiation hazards and protecting equipment?
Triple Modular Redundancy
Why is radiation shielding not an ideal solution for satellites?
They are heavy and costly
According to international guidelines, how long after the end of a mission does spacecraft and space debris need to be removed?
Twenty-five years (25)
Man-made particles in space, like trash from spent rockets and broken satellites.
orbital debris
How can radiation affect computers?
Radiation can energize circuits in computers
Which navigation system can successfully navigate a spacecraft to a safe landing area and bring the spacecraft to a landing without human interaction?
Autonomous Landing and Hazard Avoidance Technology (ALHAT)
What is the name of the primary tool that NASA uses to track orbital debris?
Bumper
What is another name for orbital debris?
Space junk
Small pieces of asteroids and comets that cannot be tracked.
micrometeoroids
What is the imaginary area created by NASA to prevent a collision with space debris and spacecraft?
Pizza box
If fire broke out on the ISS, which direction would it spread?
Any direction
What are the two ways radiation affects electronics?
Short bursts of high-energy can disrupt electrical charges and penetrate integrated circuits.
What experiment is the ISS currently conducting to test computer systems that can handle the negative effects of radiation?
Radiation Tolerant Computer Mission