Multi Axis Wheel and Zero Gravity

Astronauts have to prepare for the zero gravity in space. If they go in space without training, they won't feel well and will not be able to carry on with the experiments or in the worst case scenario, the astronauts won't survive in space. They can prepare for this situation by being spun on a high tempo multi-axis wheel. The multi-axis wheel consists of a seat inside a wheel inside another wheel inside a third wheel. These wheels are spinning in various directions making the astronauts dizzy, and don't even think about closing your eyes, as that will just make the experience worse, and you will not go into space. This is because 90% of the activities in space require weightlessness.

Jet pack & Spacesuit

Jet pack & Spacesuit:

I've decided to group these two together as they can't go without each other. Jet packs, also known as
Manned Maneuvering Units (MMU's), allow the astronauts to perform extravehicular activities (EVA's). MMU's were used in three shuttle missions from February 7th, 1984 to November 8th, 1984.

Astronaut Bruce McCandless makes the first spacewalk using an MMU. 

The spacesuit is what the astronauts wear when they are going into space, they need it to survive outside of the craft. The visor on the helmet of the suit is to block the radiation from the sun. At the back of the suit, there is an oxygen tank that flows in a pipe to the helmet. In another container, there is liquid water that flows through a sealed pipe unless an astronaut puts his or her lips to it. The astronauts also need to pee, so there is a device that collects all the urine that the astronauts pee out. Early designs of spacesuits are shown below:

Yuri Gagarin's spacesuit when he became the first man in space in 1961 (www.ariandspace.si.edu)

Alan Shepard's spacesuit when he became the first American in space in 1961 (www.regencystamps.com)

Edward White's spacesuit when he performed the first American space walk in 1965 (www.nasa.gov)

Buzz Aldrin's spacesuit when he became the second man to walk on the moon in 1969 (upload.wikimedia.org)

Now you know a thing or two about spacesuits and Manned Maneuvering Units, also known as Jet Packs, be sure to share this knowledge with your parents, friends, children, and/or siblings and get them interested.

If you have any questions, be sure to leave them in the comments below and I will answer them as soon as possible.

Moon Walker

Moon Walker:

The moon walker gives you a perspective of what it feels like to be walking on the moon. The moon's gravity is only 1/6 of  that of the Earth. Because of this, you can't walk the same way you do on Earth. You actually feel like you are jumping on the moon. Astronauts legitimately train on a moon walker just in case they are placed on a mission requiring walking on the moon.

Space Structure

Space Structure:

You can build your very own space structure at your home. All you need is 30 straws, 1 meter of string, and 1 meter of tape. Try to have no flimsy parts as that will hurt your structure. The best way to make your structure is by using triangles as your shape.

Scientific Purpose:

The International Space Station couldn't be built out of flimsy plastic, they had to use something rigid and lightweight. Metal was the best option for the structure. Also, they had to put some thought in to what shape they are going to use as some forms of geometry are better used in different situations. Once this has been thought over, the engineers can start the build phase of the process.

Egg-O-Naut

Egg-O-naut:

Here is an experiment you can do at home, create an egg-o-naut.

You will need:

• 2 Styrofoam Cups
• 4 Popsicle Sticks
• 1 Sheet of Paper
• 1 Meter of Tape
• 10 Cotton Balls
• 1 Egg

Procedure:

1. Put three cotton balls in one of the Styrofoam cups.
2. Place the egg inside the cup with cotton balls.
3. Surround the egg with 4 more cotton balls.
4. Cover the egg with about five eighths of the tape.
5. Stick the Popsicle sticks about halfway into the cup, remember to place the sticks about 90 degrees away form each other.
6. Tape the Popsicle sticks together.
7. Cut the second Styrofoam cup into quarters, LEAVE THE BOTTOM UN-CUT!!
8. Attach each piece of the cup to each Popsicle stick, use tape to stick them together.
9. Place the last three cotton balls at the bottom of the first cup.
10. Take the bottom of the second cup and tape it to the cotton balls at the bottom of the first cup.
11. Fold the paper into four, I would recommend folding it the hot dog way all four times.
12. Attach the paper around the first cup, MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T TOUCH THE WINGS!!!!
13. Drop your egg-o-naut from a high place and see if it cracks.
14. If your egg is safe, you have now become a good engineer.

Scientific Purpose:

NASA and the Soviet Space Agency have to put a lot of time and money just to build a capsule that will be able to survive the intense heat and friction when an astronaut entering Earth's atmosphere. They need to make a padding around the astronaut so he/she won't absorb a lot of impact as it lands on the ground. They also need a parachute or wings so the capsule will have a nice, soft landing and won't plummet to the ground. 

Endeavour Mission

Challenge 1: Mission on Endeavor

T-minus 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and we have liftoff! The shuttle Endeavour has cleared the tower attached to two exterior rocket boosters and an external fuel tank. The ET had to have enough fuel and power to counter the force of gravity or else, what was the point of wasting all that time and money to build it?
At an altitude of 45 km, the Solid Rocket Boosters would separate as they are no longer required. When the shuttle reaches an altitude of 100 km, the main engine stops firing and detaches from the shuttle. This happens because Endeavour has escaped the Earth's gravity and can now roam around in space. As the shuttle crew is in reach of their target, the mission specialists would take off and perform repairs in the payload bay. MS 1 would operate the Canadarm while MS 2 and 3 would build a replacement piece just in case it is needed. MS 1 would take the items required for the repairs. They are attached to the Canadarm so that they won't lose control of the satellite and drift off into the dark, endless void which we call space. After a certain amount of time, Endeavour begins its descent into the Earth.