For our Space unit this year we were asked to create a “wonder project.” essentially this entails coming up with a meaningful question (a question that is not answered by yes/no, and is not easily google-able) Last year in science 9 we had also done this project, except that this year we are wondering about SPACE!

My question being : “What kind of technology might we need to help astronomers further explore our galaxy? while also keeping them safe?” 

I made a powerpoint explaining and showing the current technology we use in space today, as well as future creations/launches to help astronomers discover space, or devices that will help astronauts stay in space for longer periods of time.

Here is a youtube video explaining some other new technologies that may be added to NASA’s collection:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Szns1FClq2Y&t=96s

Currently these are the ESSENTIAL technologies/products that are required for deep space travel

• Systems to live and breathe for long periods of time
  • The systems/devices that astronauts use to this day are required to be light weight, and take up minimal mass and volume. a CO2 and humidity control device.
• Proper Propulsion
  • Propulsion meaning to move forward at an accelerated pace. The farther the spacecraft ventures into space, the more likely it’s engine is to give out. Having to make sure that the propulsion stays consistent the entire trip, ensuring that the passengers return home safely.
• Hold off heat
  • as the spacecraft gets closer to the sun, the hotter it gets (temperature can be anywhere from -126°C to 149°C) a proper temperature regulation is required in order to make sure astronauts do not freeze to death, or are burned by the heat of the sun.
• Radiation protection
  • is it necessary that the spacecraft be protected against harsh radiation, as it starts crashing the computers with all of the data taken from space, it also can cause long-term effects on the passengers, such as cancers, or heart conditions.
• Constant communication/navigation 
  • Most space shuttles with have several networks on which they are . able to communicate, there are typically 3 (earth network,  space network, deep space network) 

As of right now, astronomers have discovered roughly 0.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.000.1% of our galaxy, meaning that there is still so much to be explored/discovered. I believe that there are so many options on how we can further venture into space (easier said than done) here are a few more examples that were not listed in the powerpoint:

• SmartSuit
  • Use on mars/planetary missions
  • Soft-robot technology
  • Soft stretchable skin (self healing)
  • Embedded sensors
  • Collects data and displays environmental and membrane structural information
  • Enhance user mobility
  • Doesn’t have to be pressurized
• Lunar propellant Reduce excavating ice on the moon
  • Deployable solar arrays
  • Radio frequency microwave and infrared radiation to heat
  • Change gas to liquid form
• Crosscutting High Apogee
  • Cleans space debris that orbits the earth
  • Removes hazards to satellites
  • Ultra light and high thrust-to-power ratio,
  • Placed in an orbit around the earth
  • Over 25 years
  • Self-refueling

Overall there are so many improvements that could be made to NASA’s technology use, such as;

• solar powered rockets
• shape-shifting bots
• smart suits
• etc.

I believe that all of this new technologies should be taken into consideration before sending astronauts into space.

INFORMATION FLUENCY REFLECTION

what questions did you need to research in order to research your topic? 

For this assignment I had several different questions I needed to research in order to find the answer to my “big question” These questions were anywhere from “old technologies we used to use but weren’t successful?” and “Future technologies?” “what are some current technologies we have but don’t use?” Other questions included “what percent of the galaxy have we discovered?” or “how much of the galaxy is being discovered each few years?”

  2. What new or familiar digital tools did you try to use as you worked through this project?

When googling certain questions I found it crucial to enter “-” something or “+” for example, when I googled “current space technologies” I had to put -mars, because most of the results were being tailored to the mars exhibition. I also used some of the sources that the school has referred us to (such as curio.ca, and curiocity.ca)

3. What was the process you used to investigate the topic? 

I started by making sure I loved my question (because it would be hard to wonder about a subject you couldn’t care less about) Next I started researching related questions to my own that may bring me to different conclusions. Following that I was taking information from all over (making sure I cover all bases) And then I started searching statistics on the subject trying to find out the facts in numbers. Which then brought me to the end of my project.

4. How did you verify and cite the information you found? 

To make sure the cite was a credible source was I used to tips that Ms. Henderson/Mrs.Chapell taught us last year. To make sure the website is a reliable source you need to check for ads, if there are ads the cite isnt super reliable. Another thing is you must be able to see who wrote the article (if it isn’t visible, then chances are that the source isn’t reliable.) The most important one for me was checking the website name (wether it ended in .org/.edu/.gov- instead of .com/.ca) The way I cited my information was I would put who wrote it, what website i found it, and the date of publication to find out if the information is out-dated.

5. How did the process of completing this challenge go? What could tou have done better? 

The main things I could have done better was finding more information, and making sure it was all credible. (I found that I found lots of data, but not all of it was the best quality)

BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

General Astronomy-Telescopes and Spacecraft

Top Five Technologies Needed for a Spacecraft to Survive Deep Space

NASA backs 18 new space technology projects for further research

 NASA’s Dreaming: Future space Technologies

Space Computer

Telescope

Spectrograph

Spacecraft

Sun

Rocket

SPEAR