Animals in Space TEKS 6.11(C) - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Animals in SpaceTEKS 6.11(C) describe the history and future of space exploration, including the types of equipment and transportation needed for space travel.

2. Where does space begin?Space is said to begin at an altitude of 100 kmThis point is usually referred to as the Kármán Line, the boundary between the Earth’s atmosphere and outer spaceOuter space usually refers to the region above Earth’s atmosphereThere is no concrete boundary between Earth’s upper atmosphere and space as the atmosphere gradually thins with increasing altitude

3. TerminologySub-orbital flights reach an altitude higher than the Kármán lineSub-orbital flights usually test spacecraft and launch vehicles intended for future orbital spaceflightsTo enter orbit, a spacecraft must also reach orbital speed (about 7900 m/s)Orbital spaceflights have only been completed by launch vehicles using rocket engines for propulsion

4. Reviewing Important DatesOn April 12, 1961, Yuri Gargarin was the first man to orbit the EarthMay 5, 1961 – Alan Shepard pilots the Freedom 7 and becomes the first American to travel into spaceJohn Glenn becomes the first American man to orbit Earth on February 20, 1962

5. More DatesApollo 8 orbits the moon and allows the world a glimpse of Earth from outer spaceNeil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin landed on the moon in 1969Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space on June 18, 1983

6. The Role of Animals Before humans were sent into space, scientists used animals to learn more about the possible effects Because of these animals, scientists gained knowledge about The biological effects of space travelConditions beyond the ozone layerEffects of weightlessness on living organismsEffects of stress on behaviorAnimals played a vital role in testing the initial spacecraft and technology needed to put humans into space

7. LaikaA stray dog from the streets of MoscowNicknamed “Muttnik” by the American pressFirst animal launched into orbit (November 3, 1957)Sent to space in Sputnik 2, the Soviet Union’s (and the world’s) second artificial space satellite

8. Laika’s MissionProved that a living passenger could survive being launched into orbit and undergo weightlessnessLaika died from overheating just a few hours after the mission had startedOn April 14, 1958, her remains (as well as Sputnik 2) disintegrated during re-entry

9. Gordo One of the first monkeys to travel into spaceNicknamed “Old Reliable” Launched from Cape Canaveral in the US Jupiter AM-13 on December 13, 1958Parachute failed and he died during landingHis flight was considered a success because scientists learned that the human body could cope with weightlessness

10. Able and BakerFirst monkeys to survive spaceflight on May 28, 1959Flew to an altitude of 360 miles, withstanding 38 times the normal pull of gravity and weightlessness for 9 minutesAble died 4 days after the flight from complications in surgery

11. Sam and Miss SamRhesus monkeysSam lifted off on December 4, 1959 and traveled 55 miles into spaceFlew on the Little Joe 2 (Mercury program) to test a restraint harness that astronauts would later useMiss Sam flew to an altitude of nine miles in 1960She tested an escape system for future Mercury manned flightsBoth were recovered safely

12. Belka and StrelkaOn board Sputnik 5, which was launched August 19, 1960 and became the first spacecraft to return animals alive from orbitAccompanied by 49 mice and 2 ratsRecovered after spending a day in orbitOne of Strelka’s puppies was given to JFK

13. Ham the ChimpFirst chimpanzee launched into outer space by AmericaWas taught to pull levers in response to flashing lights during flightTook off from Cape Canaveral on Jan. 31, 1961Before mission was aborted due to complications, Ham traveled 155 miles in 16 minutes

14. Fun Facts about HamNamed after Holloman Aerospace Medical (HAM) center in New Mexico where he trained for his missionAfter the mission, Ham lived at various zoos until his death on January 19, 1983Ham’s skeleton is at AFIP’s National Museum of Health and Medicine while his other remains were buried at the International Space Hall of FameHam III, the main character of Space Chimps, was named after HamWatch a video about Ham

15. EnosFirst chimpanzee in orbitReceived more extensive training than Ham’s because he would be exposed to more extreme forcesLaunched Nov. 29, 1961 in a Mercury capsuleCompleted two orbits before coming back downHis success led to John Glenn’s mission in 1962

16. Veterok and UgolyokLaunched on February 22, 1966Spent 22 days in obit on board Cosmos 110, setting the record for the longest space flight by dogsUsed to study the prolonged effects of radiation from the Van Allen BeltsObserved via video transmission and biomedical telemetry

17. Space SpidersArabella, a garden spider, was placed on Skylab 3 in 1973She was part of an experiment to determine if the webs spiders wove in space differed from the ones woven on EarthScientists discovered that the webs from space had slight differences most likely due to gravity (or lack of)

18. Animal Lab in OrbitOn April 28, 1985, the shuttle Challenger was launched with Spacelab on boardSpacelab contained monkeys, rats, as well as other animals under observationOne monkey adapted quickly to microgravity, while the other exhibited symptoms of Space Adaptation SyndromeAnimals were returned to Earth alive and well

19. Where Animals Are in SpaceSpace Shuttles – reusable crafts that transport satellites, astronauts, animals, and other materials to and from spaceSpace Station – permanent outpost in orbit that provides astronauts and scientists a place to study the effects of space on animalsInternational Space Station SkylabMir

20. Animals:Are considered the real pioneers of space flightContinue to help scientists gain a better understanding of space and its effect on living organisms

21. Extra LinksVideo: History of Space ExplorationQuiz: Early Space MissionsQuiz: Current and Future Space MissionsGames: Space ActivitiesAstronomy for Kids