SHIELDING SPACE RADIATION
DESIGN CHALLENGE
Shielding Space Radiation
Situation: When astronauts are traveling through space, the space vehicle provides protection from the space debris, which usually can be seen, and space radiation, which cannot be seen. Space debris includes both natural (meteoroid) and artificial (man-made) particles. Space radiation comes from the sun and sources outside the solar system. Like light, space radiation is an energy that can travel in the form of waves or as particles. Space radiation is difficult to block and can damage human tissue. Spacecraft for long space exploration missions, traveling beyond low Earth orbit, must be built with materials that give the space explorer more protection from space radiation than what is currently provided. NASA is developing the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle to carry the crew to space and protect them during space travel beyond low Earth orbit.
Problem & Career Focus: You will work at NASA’s Space Radiation Health Project (SRHP) research lab, as a member of a two-person team. Your job is to investigate how various materials block simulated space radiation (visible light and ultraviolet light).
Problem & Career Focus: You will work at NASA’s Space Radiation Health Project (SRHP) research lab, as a member of a two-person team. Your job is to investigate how various materials block simulated space radiation (visible light and ultraviolet light).
ASK - INQUIRE - INVESTIGATE
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ASK - INVESTIGATIONProcedure
Give an example of collected qualitative data. Why was this data qualitative? Give an example of collected quantitative data. Why was this data quantitative? |
Display and label data.
Complete the Think like an Engineer Investigation |
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Lesson adapted from NASA's Design Challenge.