P5 Explain the main factors associated with achieving space flight for manned and
unmanned exploration.
Manned
Many factors are considered to achieve space flight. It can be done in many ways, such as the
ways, for both manned factors and unmanned factors. One manned factor is isolation and
confinement, which is considered because before someone goes into space, the crew must go
through the training and tests, where they have to travel abroad for at least 6 months to ensure
they can work as a team effectively for a long period of time. In addition to being able to deal
with this, the crew need to go through many tests and examinations to show that they are
capable of coping within small spaces, due to them being in a small space throughout the space
flight. This can be done by using on ground rockets and many other equipment and technology
that has been created. Also, another manned factor is the distance from earth that the crew is
at. From space, it is approximately 140 million miles away from earth, with a communication
delay of around 20 minutes. It is important to know and be educated on what food and medicine
pack and take without having any access to a grocery store or pharmacy. Without knowing what
to take or having a plan, it might cause complications and stress on the crew members,
therefore it is important for them to know how to deal with earth being a long distance away. The
member has to be aware they need to pack all the essential food and medicine needed for at
least 3 years, and needs to be aware they won’t have any communications with family or
friends, which may cause the most issues. In addition to this, a heat shield on the rocket has to
be used to protect the crew by absorbing the energy, this heat shield is used to protect the crew
from burning whilst travelling back to earth. This needs to be taken into consideration, this is
because without the heat shield the people in the rocket will be put at danger of burning. This
heat shield also protects the satellite of the rocket when in space.
Unmanned
There are also many unmanned factors, such as power to weight ratio. The power to weight
ratio is important depending on the speed the rocket is travelling at. Some engines don’t
produce enough thrust for the weight of the rocket. This can be calculated by using Force =
Mass x Acceleration. If the weight is stronger than the thrust, the rocket won’t be able to move.
In addition, as the rocket accelerates the drag force is used, which heats up the rocket and
manages to move the rocket through the particles in the atmosphere. As the rocket goes up, the
atmosphere gets thinner, therefore the speed limit gets higher. When in space, by dropping the
bottom engine of the rocket when it runs out of fuel, there is less force used to reach the
acceleration because the mass will be decreased, and it will also decrease the drag. To deal
with this, it is important to have the rocket engines checked, because if the engine is too small, it
won’t produce enough thrust for the weight. Also, the power to weight ratio is important because
if it isn’t taken into consideration the rocket may move and rotate in different directions if the
incorrect engine is used. Therefore, many plans, such as meetings, drawings, using apps such
as kerbal space programme can be used to help achieve successful space flight. Another
unmanned factor to consider to achieve space flight is the control surfaces, such as wings and
grid fins. The wings of a rocket will ensure it is balanced and act like the fletching on an arrow,
by stabilizing the rocket. The control surfaces have an importance on space flight, this is
because they provide stability and they control the rocket when there is an increased unusual
movement. Movable fins are used at the side of the rocket, this changes a force on the rocket,
which also acts as the centre of pressure. Control surfaces have to be accounted for by doing
things, such as action plans, and having crew meetings. It is important to get the correct control
surfaces for the rocket to stay stable, otherwise it may put the crew at danger and at risk of life.
Also, another unmanned factor to consider to achieve space flight is solar panels, this is
because solar panels are able to power all the electronics on the rocket, this is accounted for
, because the rocket will always be facing the sun, therefore it will give it plenty of power. Finally,
the amount of fuel added to the rocket is another unmanned factor to be considered. The fuel
added needs to be calculated correctly, this is because if there is a deficiency of fuel, the rocket
won’t make it to space or the moon, and if there is an excess of fuel, this would be more mass
for the rocket to carry, therefore more force will be used for the acceleration. This factor can be
accounted for because there needs pre plans and calculations made before the rocket takes off,
this ensures there is the correct amount of fuel. These calculations have to be checked over by
specialists. This is because it can cause many issues if there is an incorrect amount of fuel and
it may put the crew at danger if it is incorrect.
M3 Assess the main factors and benefits associated with achieving space flight for
manned and unmanned exploration.
Manned
There are many effects of space flight for manned exploration,on the human body. However
there can be many options taken to limit the issues on the human body. One effect that a space
flight can have on the human body is a decline in mood, and the human may become sleep
deprived due to the extra 38 minutes daily. In addition to this, depression may occur because of
the stress due to the long term isolation and confinement. If the people in space have
misunderstandings with the team members, it might end up impacting the way the person is,
such as the success rate. Also, without fresh food, it may cause a deficiency, which therefore
may lead to hypoglycemia. To reduce the risk of getting hypoglycemia, it is also important to
pack essential tablets before going into a space and only ensuring healthy people go into a
space flight, not those with health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Another effect of space flight on the human body is the G Force. A G force can cause damage
to the human body. For example, as gravitational forces increase, consciousness will be
decreased, therefore visual impairments occur and the crew will lose the ability to see colour, or
only see tunnel vision. This is due to the increase of the acceleration, because a high amount of
blood quickly rushes to the brain. If G Force isn’t quickly reduced, it can lead to death.
Moreover, G force usually causes a change in blood flow, this is due to the blood rapidly being
rushed to the brain throughout the acceleration. The change in blood flow can be limited by
having pre training, for example in on ground rockets and exercising. Also, the crew must be
healthy, they are unable to fly with underlying health conditions or if they smoke and drink often
because this can affect the way they react to the G force, and it may put them in risk. In addition
to this, the crew need to understand what they are going through before undertaking the space
flight. Another effect a space flight can have on the human body is osteoporosis, which is due to
the stress being applied to the body from the earth's gravity is massively decreased, therefore it
causes the bones to deteriorate. However, to limit this from happening, drugs are taken such as,
osteoporosis drugs, vitamin D tablets and excess calcium to reduce bone loss. Excess calcium
is given because this gives strong and healthy bones, however, too much calcium can lead to
kidney stones, which is a negative impact of the calcium supplements. In addition to this,
another effect a space flight can have on the human body is damage to the vertebrae of the
spine. This effect is due to the reduction and the lack of gravity, because on earth the gravity
ensures all the body liquid is pulled to the lowest point of the body. Throughout space flight, the
spine will expand by 2 inches, and sometimes more, this is what causes astronauts to grow
taller in space. This is because without gravity, the body liquids aren’t pulled, therefore are
scattered around the body, which causes issues, such as the face being puffy and increased
pressure on the brain, which is due to the excess of the fluid. Also, there may be a liquid
buildup, which will cause a drop in blood plasma levels and red blood cells, causing issues such
as anemia. Anemia is the lack of red blood cells carrying oxygen through the hemoglobin
around the body. However, to limit this from happening, it may be complicated because the
unmanned exploration.
Manned
Many factors are considered to achieve space flight. It can be done in many ways, such as the
ways, for both manned factors and unmanned factors. One manned factor is isolation and
confinement, which is considered because before someone goes into space, the crew must go
through the training and tests, where they have to travel abroad for at least 6 months to ensure
they can work as a team effectively for a long period of time. In addition to being able to deal
with this, the crew need to go through many tests and examinations to show that they are
capable of coping within small spaces, due to them being in a small space throughout the space
flight. This can be done by using on ground rockets and many other equipment and technology
that has been created. Also, another manned factor is the distance from earth that the crew is
at. From space, it is approximately 140 million miles away from earth, with a communication
delay of around 20 minutes. It is important to know and be educated on what food and medicine
pack and take without having any access to a grocery store or pharmacy. Without knowing what
to take or having a plan, it might cause complications and stress on the crew members,
therefore it is important for them to know how to deal with earth being a long distance away. The
member has to be aware they need to pack all the essential food and medicine needed for at
least 3 years, and needs to be aware they won’t have any communications with family or
friends, which may cause the most issues. In addition to this, a heat shield on the rocket has to
be used to protect the crew by absorbing the energy, this heat shield is used to protect the crew
from burning whilst travelling back to earth. This needs to be taken into consideration, this is
because without the heat shield the people in the rocket will be put at danger of burning. This
heat shield also protects the satellite of the rocket when in space.
Unmanned
There are also many unmanned factors, such as power to weight ratio. The power to weight
ratio is important depending on the speed the rocket is travelling at. Some engines don’t
produce enough thrust for the weight of the rocket. This can be calculated by using Force =
Mass x Acceleration. If the weight is stronger than the thrust, the rocket won’t be able to move.
In addition, as the rocket accelerates the drag force is used, which heats up the rocket and
manages to move the rocket through the particles in the atmosphere. As the rocket goes up, the
atmosphere gets thinner, therefore the speed limit gets higher. When in space, by dropping the
bottom engine of the rocket when it runs out of fuel, there is less force used to reach the
acceleration because the mass will be decreased, and it will also decrease the drag. To deal
with this, it is important to have the rocket engines checked, because if the engine is too small, it
won’t produce enough thrust for the weight. Also, the power to weight ratio is important because
if it isn’t taken into consideration the rocket may move and rotate in different directions if the
incorrect engine is used. Therefore, many plans, such as meetings, drawings, using apps such
as kerbal space programme can be used to help achieve successful space flight. Another
unmanned factor to consider to achieve space flight is the control surfaces, such as wings and
grid fins. The wings of a rocket will ensure it is balanced and act like the fletching on an arrow,
by stabilizing the rocket. The control surfaces have an importance on space flight, this is
because they provide stability and they control the rocket when there is an increased unusual
movement. Movable fins are used at the side of the rocket, this changes a force on the rocket,
which also acts as the centre of pressure. Control surfaces have to be accounted for by doing
things, such as action plans, and having crew meetings. It is important to get the correct control
surfaces for the rocket to stay stable, otherwise it may put the crew at danger and at risk of life.
Also, another unmanned factor to consider to achieve space flight is solar panels, this is
because solar panels are able to power all the electronics on the rocket, this is accounted for
, because the rocket will always be facing the sun, therefore it will give it plenty of power. Finally,
the amount of fuel added to the rocket is another unmanned factor to be considered. The fuel
added needs to be calculated correctly, this is because if there is a deficiency of fuel, the rocket
won’t make it to space or the moon, and if there is an excess of fuel, this would be more mass
for the rocket to carry, therefore more force will be used for the acceleration. This factor can be
accounted for because there needs pre plans and calculations made before the rocket takes off,
this ensures there is the correct amount of fuel. These calculations have to be checked over by
specialists. This is because it can cause many issues if there is an incorrect amount of fuel and
it may put the crew at danger if it is incorrect.
M3 Assess the main factors and benefits associated with achieving space flight for
manned and unmanned exploration.
Manned
There are many effects of space flight for manned exploration,on the human body. However
there can be many options taken to limit the issues on the human body. One effect that a space
flight can have on the human body is a decline in mood, and the human may become sleep
deprived due to the extra 38 minutes daily. In addition to this, depression may occur because of
the stress due to the long term isolation and confinement. If the people in space have
misunderstandings with the team members, it might end up impacting the way the person is,
such as the success rate. Also, without fresh food, it may cause a deficiency, which therefore
may lead to hypoglycemia. To reduce the risk of getting hypoglycemia, it is also important to
pack essential tablets before going into a space and only ensuring healthy people go into a
space flight, not those with health conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
Another effect of space flight on the human body is the G Force. A G force can cause damage
to the human body. For example, as gravitational forces increase, consciousness will be
decreased, therefore visual impairments occur and the crew will lose the ability to see colour, or
only see tunnel vision. This is due to the increase of the acceleration, because a high amount of
blood quickly rushes to the brain. If G Force isn’t quickly reduced, it can lead to death.
Moreover, G force usually causes a change in blood flow, this is due to the blood rapidly being
rushed to the brain throughout the acceleration. The change in blood flow can be limited by
having pre training, for example in on ground rockets and exercising. Also, the crew must be
healthy, they are unable to fly with underlying health conditions or if they smoke and drink often
because this can affect the way they react to the G force, and it may put them in risk. In addition
to this, the crew need to understand what they are going through before undertaking the space
flight. Another effect a space flight can have on the human body is osteoporosis, which is due to
the stress being applied to the body from the earth's gravity is massively decreased, therefore it
causes the bones to deteriorate. However, to limit this from happening, drugs are taken such as,
osteoporosis drugs, vitamin D tablets and excess calcium to reduce bone loss. Excess calcium
is given because this gives strong and healthy bones, however, too much calcium can lead to
kidney stones, which is a negative impact of the calcium supplements. In addition to this,
another effect a space flight can have on the human body is damage to the vertebrae of the
spine. This effect is due to the reduction and the lack of gravity, because on earth the gravity
ensures all the body liquid is pulled to the lowest point of the body. Throughout space flight, the
spine will expand by 2 inches, and sometimes more, this is what causes astronauts to grow
taller in space. This is because without gravity, the body liquids aren’t pulled, therefore are
scattered around the body, which causes issues, such as the face being puffy and increased
pressure on the brain, which is due to the excess of the fluid. Also, there may be a liquid
buildup, which will cause a drop in blood plasma levels and red blood cells, causing issues such
as anemia. Anemia is the lack of red blood cells carrying oxygen through the hemoglobin
around the body. However, to limit this from happening, it may be complicated because the
