Guiding Spaceship Towards a Sustainable Future (AQA GCSE)

Sustainable Development

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Renewable Resources

Natural resources that can be replenished naturally over a short period and are not depleted by use.

Carbon Footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by human activities, expressed as CO₂ equivalents.

Ecosystem

A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

Space Debris

Non-functional objects in Earth’s orbit, including defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments from collisions

Green Technologies

Innovations and systems designed to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability.

Habitat Sustainability

Creating and maintaining environments that can support life over extended periods.

Resource Efficiency

Using resources like energy, water, and materials in a way that minimizes waste and maximizes benefits.

Closed-Loop Systems

Processes where waste products are recycled back into the system to create a self-sustaining environment.

Ethical Considerations in Space Exploration

Evaluating the moral implications of space exploration activities, such as environmental impact and resource extraction.

International Space Station (ISS)

A space station that uses solar panels to generate energy and supports long-duration human spaceflight.

Solar Panels

Devices that convert sunlight into electrical energy for spacecraft and satellites.

Green Rocket Fuels

Biofuels or other sustainable alternatives to traditional rocket propellants designed to reduce emissions.

Planetary Protection

Protocols and measures to prevent contamination of other planets and celestial bodies with Earth-based organisms.

Bioreactors

Systems designed to grow plants and recycle waste in a controlled environment, used on the ISS.

Energy Efficiency

Designing spacecraft and systems to use less energy while performing their functions.

Clean Fuels

Low-emission propellants for rockets designed to reduce the carbon footprint of space missions.

Reusable Rocket Stages

Rocket stages that can be recovered and used again for future launches, reducing waste and costs.

Water Recycling Systems

Systems that purify and reuse water on the ISS to reduce the need for resupply missions.

Ethical Resource Extraction

Approaches to mining and using resources from celestial bodies that consider environmental and moral implications.

Spacecraft Operations

Activities related to the functioning and management of spacecraft during missions.

Collision Avoidance

Maneuvering spacecraft to prevent collisions with space debris or other objects.

Waste Management

Strategies for reducing, reusing, and recycling waste generated during space missions.

Resource Management

Efficient use and allocation of resources to ensure long-term sustainability in space exploration.

Artificial Ecosystems

Created environments that simulate natural ecosystems for research and long-term space habitation.

Spacecraft Design

Created environments that simulate natural ecosystems for research and long-term space habitation.

Recycling Systems

Technologies for converting waste into useful resources in space habitats

Mission Success

Achieving the objectives of a space mission while maintaining sustainability and minimizing environmental impact.

Spacecraft Energy Systems

Systems designed to generate and manage energy for spacecraft operations during missions.

Space Exploration Ethics

The study of moral principles and considerations guiding human activities in space.

Life Support Systems

Technologies and processes that provide astronauts with necessary resources such as oxygen, water, and food.

Spacecraft Resilience

The ability of a spacecraft to withstand and recover from challenges and failures during a mission.

Propellant Efficiency

The effectiveness of propellants in producing thrust while using minimal resources and reducing waste.

Sustainable Space Exploration

An approach to space missions that focuses on reducing environmental impacts and ensuring long-term benefits for humanity.

Environmental Impact Assessment

The process of evaluating the potential environmental effects of a space mission before it begins.