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Recommended: Flight and space physics
There are three phases in the process of encountering a planet with a spacecraft, the launch phase, the cruise phase, and the encounter phase. The launch phase is primarily preparation for the actual launch of the spacecraft, choosing the correct location and time. The cruise phase consists of primarily experiments and slight alterations to the trajectory. The encounter phase consists of any flyby or surface encounter, both are most often designed to conduct experiments and gather data. Prior to launching a spacecraft, extensive knowledge of gravitation, mechanics, interplanetary trajectories, and planetary orbits, is needed. There are many different laws relating to gravitation and mechanics that significantly influence the spacecraft. There are many different types of interplanetary trajectories, or trajectories that function outside of a planet's gravity or to escape a planet’s gravity. The many types of planetary orbits are extremely important to the cruise and encounter phases of spaceflight. Space flight is a very complicated process and relies on plenty of knowledge of physics, space, and mathematics, and requires a lot of preparation.
Physics
Gravitation and Mechanics
Gravitation, a fundamental law of the universe, is the mutual attraction of all masses in the universe. The equation used to calculate the gravity at the surface of a planet is F=mg, where Fis the gravitational force, m is the mass of the object, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. The principles stated in Principia, Sir Isaac Newton’s book that describes his laws of motion, are the three ways to change the momentum of a body: the law of inertia, the law of acceleration, and the law of action-reaction.
Johannes Kepler described three laws of...
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...apter 14. Launch Phase." Basics of Space Flight Section III. Space Flight Operations. NASA, n.d. Web. 21 May 2014.
"Chapter 15. Cruise Phase." Basics of Space Flight Section III. Space Flight Operations. NASA, n.d. Web. 21 May 2014.
"Chapter 16. Encounter Phase." Basics of Space Flight Section III. Space Flight Operations. NASA, n.d. Web. 21 May 2014.
"Chapter 3. Gravitation and Mechanics." Basics of Space Flight Section I. The Environment of Space. NASA, n.d. Web. 21 May 2014.
"Chapter 4. Interplanetary Trajectories." Basics of Space Flight Section I. The Environment of Space. NASA, n.d. Web. 21 May 2014.
Freudenrich, Ph.D. Craig. "How Space Shuttles Work." HowStuffWorks. HowStuffWorks.com, 19 Jan. 2001. Web. 21 May 2014.
Schupak, Amanda. "How to Launch a Rocket into Space in 5 (...4...3...2...1) Steps." LiveScience. TechMediaNetwork, 25 July 2011. Web. 21 May 2014.
Ever since I was little I was amazed at the ability for a machine to fly. I have always wanted to explore ideas of flight and be able to actually fly. I think I may have found my childhood fantasy in the world of aeronautical engineering. The object of my paper is to give me more insight on my future career as an aeronautical engineer. This paper was also to give me ideas of the physics of flight and be to apply those physics of flight to compete in a high school competition.
middle of paper ... ...2014. The 'Standard' of the 'Standard'. The "NASA History" Congressional Digest 90.7 (2011): 196-224. Academic Search Premier -. Web.
"Space Shuttle System Overview." NASA. Ed. Jim Wilson. NASA, 22 Aug. 2007. Web. 11 Apr. 2014.
The project that will be tested is called The Effect of the Ion Engine propulsion system on a Space Shuttle launch. To effectively understand the project background information will be needed. The observers will need to understand the following terms which are: ions, ion engine, conservation of momentum, atoms, ionization and Newton’s law. It is also important to effectively understand why an ion system would be used and why it is the best, as well as being knowledgeable about the different components.
Many people are amazed with the flight of an object, especially one the size of an airplane, but they do not realize how much physics plays a role in this amazing incident. There are many different ways in which physics aids the flight of an aircraft. In the following few paragraphs some of the many ways will be described so that you, the reader, will realize physics at work in the world of flight.
Rinard, J. E. (2001). The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Book of Flight. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books (U.S.) Inc.
"National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Marshall Space Flight Center." NEW FRONTIERS ::: JUNO. NASA, Web. 01 Apr. 2014. .
This paper will explain a few of the key concepts behind the physics of skydiving. First we will explore why a skydiver accelerates after he leaps out of the plane before his jump, second we will try and explain the drag forces effecting the skydiver, and lastly we will attempt to explain how terminal velocity works.
The Volume Library, vol. I, Physics: Newton's Law of Motion. Pg. 436. The Southwestern Company, Nashville, Tennessee, 1988.
When considering this topic, one might ask themselves why explore space? We explore space to compare other planets with the earth and to study the sun, to explore the universe while finding if intelligent life exists, for satellites to improve communications, weather forecasting, navigation, resource monitoring, and “to create a focal point for a new intellectual renaissance” (Ruzic).
Space is unimaginably vast, and the problems keeping humans from mastering the exploration of and colonization of space is equally daunting. Impressive advances have been made within the past century, and dedicated efforts to make equally impressive strides in the next hundred years are in place. Space research will not yield resutls overnight, but the information obtained along the way will have a positive impact throughout the scientific community and the world's population in turn. With a goal of extraplanetary habitation, humans can prepare protective measures for neutralizing danger and managing resources underwater, in space, and on land, domestic and alien. The scientific and cultural unity required to reach this goal has the potential to propel mankind as a species and farther through the stars than ever imagined.
(Source K) Flowers, Sarah. “Understanding: Space Travel.” Rev. of Understanding: Space Travel. PoQuest. N.p., Aug. 2000. Web. 12 Mar. 2012. .
Some may think exploring outer space is simply a human’s curiosity. This is true but on the contrary, people explore to learn about things they may have never known and touch on the essence of the creation of the universe. Another reason for exploring this uncharted area is the technological advancements people have made and immense amount of innovation they have achieved in this field (Wood). Lastly, scientists study the other planets just in case one day humans need to relocate after overwhelming damage has been done to Earth. Suffice to say, it is a vital part of today’s day and age to research outer space (Rothery).
The modern day space environment is no longer a mystery to humans. Yuri Gagarin of Russia was the first person to experience space adventure in 1961. Since then, technological advances have enabled space exploration, with new discoveries being made from time to time. Scientists have significantly contributed to the development of space tourism. Noteworthy inventions by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have transformed human life through increasing accessibility to space. The agency has made it possible for astronauts to go to the moon and also to walk around planet Mars with robotic automobiles. The invention of the tri-axis control design has had a significant influence on modern space explorations, helping astronauts to effectively focus their satellites on the target. This has been important in increasing efficiency and precision in astronomical discoveries (Birchard, 2003).
Bosnor, Kevin. "How Flying Cars Will Work." Howstuffworks. How Stuff Works Inc., 1998. Web. 24 Jan.