The International Space Station (ISS) was launched in 1998 as a cooperative space programme between Europe, the USA, Russia, Japan and Canada. It is the largest single structure ever sent into space (the area of a football field) and has been under constant construction as more modules have been added. It orbits around 400 km above the Earth every 90 minutes at a speed of around 28000 km/h. There are usually seven crew members on the ISS, who conduct experiments, test new technology and maintain the station.
: Fig. 38.6 The International Space Station ?
TEST TUBE
2. Research how one of the following everyday items originated due to space exploration: • memory foam • hand-held vacuums
Hazards of space exploration
Astronauts must consider the health and travel hazards of space exploration as space can be a hostile environment.
Health hazards • Reduced gravity can negatively affect astronauts’ health. This includes high blood pressure and loss of muscle mass, which can weaken the spine.
• Radiation is at least 80 times normal Earth levels on the ISS and interplanetary radiation reaches over 240 times normal Earth levels. This extreme radiation exposure greatly increases the risk of cancer.
Eureka
A spacesuit is the only protection an astronaut has outside of the spacecraft. It is designed to protect against heat, pressure and radiation, monitor all vital functions and provide wireless communication to the team. It is unsurprising then, that each suit costs over 10 million euro.
( Fig. 38.7 A spacesuit 374 Elements of Science
: Fig. 38.8 Astronauts must train to prepare for the effects of reduced gravity
• cordless power tools • scratch-resistant glasses lenses