upper part of the body and a reduction in bone density and muscle mass. Sleep patterns are affected by the lack of a normal day-and-night routine. At altitudes above the ISS cruising altitude, radiation levels from the sun are dangerously high and cosmic rays from solar flares can affect eyesight. A 520-day simulation of a Mars mission by the Russian Space Agency found that sleep disorders could be a significant problem on a real Mars mission. The immune system is suppressed during space flight. Scientists on the ISS and on Earth are researching ways to reduce this impact.
38.5 Ethics of space exploration Vast sums of money are required for space exploration. Some people argue that this money would be better spent addressing problems that we have on Earth. Space exploration adds debris to space. For example, satellites that no longer function
and debris from collisions between space objects remain in space as rubbish. According to NASA there are currently more than 21,000 pieces of man-made debris that measure over 10 cm in diameter in orbit around Earth. This debris is a hazard for space missions. Many pieces of space rubbish will burn up when they re-enter Earth’s atmosphere. Debris that does not burn up could cause injury, death and damage as it falls to Earth’s surface.
Nature of Science
The story of space exploration is a good example of how scientists work and the contribution that science can make to our understanding of our planet and the universe around us. Governments identified space travel as an important goal. Scientists were asked to design vehicles that could travel to space, collect data and return to Earth. This shows how scientific research is influenced by the needs and interests of society. Questions: 1. How has space exploration led to the development of new technology? 2. How has space exploration given us new information about our own planet?
G-force
the force acting on an object due to gravity or acceleration.
