Rockets Lecture Flashcards

Introduction to The Schools' Observatory and the 'Look Up' Literacy Project

• The Schools' Observatory utilizes the wonders of space as a tool to inspire the next generation of scientists, programmers, and engineers.

• The organization provides resources for schools, support for teachers, and free access to the world's largest robotic telescope via their website: schoolsobservatory.org.

• The Schools' Observatory is a constituent part of Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and operates from the Astrophysics Research Institute in Liverpool, UK.

• In partnership with Durham Book Festival's 'Little Read', themed resource packs have been created specifically for Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) children.

• These resources are designed for use at home or in nursery settings to engage children with the story "Look Up" by Nathan Bryan (illustrated by Dapo Adeola).

• The central character of the story, Rocket, is described as the future greatest astronaut, star-catcher, and space-traveller.

• Rocket is depicted as being prepared for her future by defying gravity, capturing rare and exotic life forms, and building a "ship to the stars."

• This specific resource pack focuses on the topic of rockets and spaceships, encompassing astronomical information, activity ideas (pages 7 to 14), and additional resources (pages 15 to 16).

Defining Rockets and Spaceships

• Rockets: These are machines designed to power people and objects into space. Technically, a rocket is any aircraft or spacecraft powered by a rocket engine.

• Rocket Engines: These function similarly to car engines by burning fuel to create motion. In a rocket engine, fuel is ignited to produce hot gas. As this hot gas is expelled from the bottom of the rocket, it pushes the vehicle upward.

• Demonstration of Rocket Principles: This effect can be demonstrated using an inflated balloon. When air is released, the air pushing out in one direction causes the balloon to move in the opposite direction.

• Spaceships and Spacecraft: These are components located at the very top of the rocket where items intended for space are stored. While often associated with human travel, they frequently carry only robots or equipment.

• Spacecraft Functionality: Once a spacecraft reaches space, it controls its own flight. In the vacuum of space, the craft is free from gravity, causing everything inside to float.

• Return to Earth: When a spacecraft returns, it falls through the Earth's atmosphere. As it approaches the surface, it deploys a parachute to slow down before performing a "splashdown" in the ocean.

The Anatomy and Components of a Rocket

• Rocket Parts: Rockets are generally divided into four primary sections:

  • Structure: The main body of the rocket, typically shaped as a long cylinder with a pointy top and fins at the base. It houses all other systems.

  • Propulsion System: Located at the bottom of the rocket, this contains the rocket engine, the fuel, and the oxidizer. This is where components are mixed and ignited.

  • Guidance System: A small system located near the top that communicates the rocket's orientation to ground control. Computers on board allow ground personnel to adjust the rocket's direction.

  • Payload: Positioned at the very top within the nose cone. This is the spacecraft itself, containing everything important that needs to reach space (and usually return to Earth).

• Current Rocket Technology: Many rockets are active today, primarily smaller ones for orbital satellite delivery. Specific major rockets in use include:

  • Ariane 5 (Europe)

  • Proton-M (Russia)

  • Falcon-9 (United States)

  • Long March (China)

• Other nations with active or planned rocket programs include India, Japan, New Zealand, Israel, and South Korea.

• Capacity Limits: Currently, no active rockets are capable of transporting humans to the Moon, Mars, or any destination further than the International Space Station (ISS).

Challenges of Interplanetary and Interstellar Travel

• Travel to Mars: NASA and SpaceX are currently developing rockets for human Mars missions, with an estimated readiness date of $2026$.

• The Fuel Problem: Higher distances require significantly more fuel. Because fuel adds weight, the rocket becomes harder to launch from the ground.

• Distance Comparisons:

  • The Moon is $1000 \times$ further from Earth than the International Space Station.

  • Mars is approximately $600 \times$ further away than the Moon.

• Interstellar Distances: Space is mostly empty, and objects are extremely far apart.

• Proxima Centauri: This is the closest star to Earth after the Sun, located over $40 \text{ trillion\,km}$ away.

• Travel Time Scales:

  • At the speed of light ($300,000 \text{ km/s}$), it would take over $4 \text{ years}$ to reach Proxima Centauri.

  • At a realistic human spacecraft speed (based on Apollo missions at $40,000 \text{ km/h}$), it would take approximately $115,000 \text{ years}$ to reach the star.

Life on a Spaceship and Astronaut Training

• Effects of Microgravity: The lack of gravity makes tasks like drinking and brushing teeth difficult. Physical health impacts include muscle weakening, calcium loss in bones, changes in blood flow, and shifts in eye pressure.

• Educational Requirements: Current candidates must hold a degree in a science or engineering subject to ensure they can perform experiments and craft maintenance.

• Training Duration: It takes approximately $3 \text{ years}$ to train as an astronaut.

• Training Curriculum: Includes learning to fly the spacecraft, understanding spacesuit operations, mastering mission-specific experiments, and language studies.

• Multilingualism in Space: Both English and Russian are spoken on most missions today; therefore, astronauts must be proficient in both languages.

Classroom Activities: Model Rocket Construction

• Junk Rocket Creation: Using recycled materials to model the three core parts—a cylinder, a pointed top, and fins.

• Stomp Rockets: Using air pressure for vertical launches; requires a tight (but not too tight) fit between the rocket cylinder and the launcher.

• Bottle Rockets: Placing a paper rocket over an open plastic bottle and clapping the sides of the bottle to release air and launch the rocket.

• Straw Rockets:

  1. Wrap paper around a pencil to create a cylinder and tape it.

  2. Add fins or drawings to the side.

  3. Fold and tape the top edge shut.

  4. Replace the pencil with a straw and blow into it to launch.

  5. Scientific Extension: Measure and record the distance traveled and discuss experimental failures/improvements.

Professional Demonstration: Bicarbonate of Soda and Vinegar Rocket

• Required Resources: Empty bottle, baking soda, $3 \text{ pencils}$, $1 \text{ bottle cork}$, tape, kitchen roll, white vinegar, and scissors.

• Setup Procedure:

  1. Tape $3 \text{ pencils}$ to the outside of the bottle to create a stable stand. The nozzle must be at least $10 \text{ cm}$ from the ground.

  2. Ensure the cork fits snugly but is not too tight.

  3. Create 'fuel packets': Place $2 \text{ tablespoons}$ of baking soda on a sheet of kitchen roll and roll it into a thin cylinder that fits through the bottle neck.

  4. Pour approximately $200 \text{ ml}$ of vinegar into the bottle.

  5. Outside, slide the fuel packet in, insert the cork, stand the rocket up (nozzle down), and move away immediately.

• Scientific Principle: The reaction produces carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) gas. Pressure builds until the cork is forced out. The downward force of the cork and fuel causes the bottle to move upward.

• Safety and Risk Assessment:

  • Weather Dependent: Wind can tip the rocket or blow it toward spectators.

  • Launch Zone: Maintain a distance of at least $2 \text{ metres}$ for the initiator; children should stand further away.

  • Failure Protocol: If a launch fails, an adult must retrieve it carefully because the bottle will be highly pressurized.

Role Play and Experimental Landing Activities

• Activity 2: Mission Control Desk:

  • Setup includes 'computers', walkie-talkies, and Earth maps.

  • Roles include: Doctor (health checks), Engineer (rocket maintenance), Spacecraft Operator (launch control), CAPCOM (communication with astronauts), Ground Controller (navigation), and Flight Director (team leader).

• Activity 3: Creating a Parachute Lander:

  • Mechanism: Spacecraft use parachutes to ensure they are moving very slowly before ocean splashdown.

  • Materials for experimentation: Fabric, paper, string, craft sticks, straws, tape, and rubber bands.

  • Data Recording: Time how long objects take to fall from a specific height.

  • Discussion Points: Identify failure points when results are unexpected.

Auditory and Communication Resources

• Activity 4: Rocket Soundscape Stages:

  1. Launch: Featuring a countdown and intense engine noise.

  2. Space: Absence of noise. Note: Sound requires a medium like air to travel; because space has no air, there is no sound.

  3. Atmospheric Re-entry: High noise levels as the craft travels fast and friction causes the exterior to burn.

  4. Parachute Deployment: Gentle descent.

  5. Splashdown: The final impact with the ocean.

• Inclusion and Communication: A range of British Sign Language (BSL) and Makaton signs exist for terms like Space, Rocket, Astronaut, Earth, and Moon.

• Design Inspiration: Display images of the International Space Station (ISS), the Tiangong Space Station, and future mission targets like the Moon and Mars.

Curated Media and History of Rocketry

• Historical Launches: Apollo 11 ($1969$), Space Shuttle ($2007$), Ariane 5 ($2021$).

• SpaceX Innovations: The Falcon 9 (first launched/landed in $2015$) represents cutting-edge technology because it is reusable.

• Sustainability: Reusable rockets address the issue of space trash and waste; most other rockets are discarded in space after a single use.

• Falcon Heavy ($2018$): Notable for sending a car with a mannequin toward Mars; successfully landed two booster rockets in tandem.

• Perseverance in Science: SpaceX's history of multiple failures before achieving a successful landing serves as a lesson that science often involves things not going to plan initially.