ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Domain of Science Why the SpaceX NASA Mission is a Landmark For Astronaut Spaceflight
Hello and welcome to the world of science! This week is super exciting because we’re about to witness a historic event in space travel. If everything goes as planned on May 27, 2020, astronauts will launch from American soil to the International Space Station for the first time in nine years. The last time this happened was in 2011 with NASA’s final space shuttle mission. Since then, all missions to the space station have launched from Russia using Soyuz rockets.
This mission is groundbreaking because it’s the first time a private company is running a crewed mission to the International Space Station. SpaceX, the company behind this mission, isn’t just providing the rocket and spacecraft to NASA—they’re managing the entire mission. This marks the start of commercial human spaceflight.
The astronauts on this mission are Douglas G. Hurley and Robert L. Behnken. Both are experienced veterans of the space shuttle program, each having flown two missions before. It’s especially exciting for Douglas Hurley because he was the pilot on the last space shuttle mission, and now he’s piloting the first commercial flight. Both astronauts seem calm and confident, which is reassuring given the risks involved in space travel.
The astronauts will travel in a spacecraft launched by the Falcon 9 rocket. The spacecraft has an Integrated Launch Escape System, which can quickly separate the spacecraft from the rocket if something goes wrong during launch. This system has eight engines for extra safety, even though only four are needed. Similarly, the Falcon 9 rocket has nine engines, more than the seven required for launch.
On this test flight, only two seats will be used, but the spacecraft can hold up to seven astronauts. A cool new feature is the touchscreen monitors used to control the spacecraft. Most of the flight is automated, but the astronauts can take manual control if necessary.
In this mission, the astronauts will be on top of the rocket while it’s being fueled, unlike previous missions where fueling happened before boarding. This allows for a quicker launch using cooled propellants, which work better when cold. Although there’s a risk of the rocket exploding during fueling, SpaceX has done this safely many times, and NASA has approved the method.
After launch, the first stage of the rocket will separate and return to Earth to land on a barge. This is an amazing engineering feat because it makes the rocket reusable, which lowers the cost of space travel. On their way to the space station, the astronauts will test the spacecraft’s manual controls and oversee an automatic docking with the station. They will spend two to three months working on the space station before returning to Earth.
This mission is the final test to prove that SpaceX can safely transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station. SpaceX has successfully delivered cargo to the station before, but this is their first time transporting people. They’ve passed many safety tests, including a pad abort test in 2015. However, in 2019, an explosion during a test delayed the schedule by nearly a year. Fortunately, they fixed the issue and successfully retested the escape system.
In March 2019, SpaceX conducted a full mission simulation to the space station and back without astronauts. The upcoming mission on May 27 will be the final test to show they can safely transport people to space. If successful, it will provide a new, more affordable way to access space, thanks to NASA’s Commercial Crew program, which funds companies to develop efficient space travel solutions.
SpaceX isn’t the only company in this program; Boeing is also developing a spacecraft. If this mission succeeds, it could kickstart commercial space travel and even space tourism. A company called Space Adventures plans to sell tickets for flights beyond the Space Station for around 50 million dollars each. While this is expensive, it opens up exciting possibilities for wealthy individuals.
NASA has also approved Axiom Space, which plans to build a commercial space station in orbit, serviced by rockets like the SpaceX Falcon 9. All these plans hinge on the success of this mission, making it a landmark event in space exploration. I’m excited to watch it unfold and would love to hear your thoughts. Will you be watching? What do you think about the commercialization of space and space tourism? Is it a positive step for funding space science, or are there concerns about wealthy individuals going to space?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. If you enjoyed this article, check out some of my other content. A special thanks to my supporters who make this possible. Thank you, and I hope to see you on the 27th. Let’s hope everything goes smoothly!
Research the history and achievements of SpaceX. Create a presentation highlighting key milestones, including the development of the Falcon 9 rocket and the Crew Dragon spacecraft. Share your presentation with the class to help everyone understand why SpaceX is a significant player in the space industry.
Imagine you are an engineer tasked with designing a safety system for a spacecraft. Using the information about the Integrated Launch Escape System, create your own version of a safety system. Present your design to the class, explaining how it ensures the safety of astronauts during launch.
Participate in a class debate about the commercialization of space travel. Divide into two groups: one supporting the idea as a positive step for funding space science, and the other expressing concerns about the implications of wealthy individuals going to space. Use evidence from the article to support your arguments.
Work in groups to create a timeline of significant events in human spaceflight, starting from the first moon landing to the SpaceX NASA mission. Include key missions, technological advancements, and milestones in commercial space travel. Display your timeline in the classroom for everyone to see.
Write a letter to one of the astronauts on the SpaceX NASA mission, expressing your thoughts and questions about their journey. Discuss what you find inspiring about their mission and what you hope to learn from their experiences. Share your letter with the class and discuss the role of astronauts in advancing space exploration.
Hello and welcome to the domain of science, Dominic here. This week is an exciting one as we are about to witness a landmark event in the history of space travel. If all goes to plan on May 27, 2020, we will see the launch of astronauts from American soil to the International Space Station for the first time in nine years. The last mission of this kind was the final NASA space shuttle mission in 2011, after which all missions to the space station were launched from Russia on Soyuz rockets.
This new mission is significant because it is the first crewed mission to the International Space Station run by a private company. SpaceX is not just supplying the rocket and spacecraft to NASA; they are running the entire mission. This truly marks the beginning of commercial human spaceflight.
In this video, I will summarize everything you need to know about this mission. This mission serves as the final test to validate that SpaceX can safely deliver astronauts to and from the space station. The astronauts flying this mission are Douglas G. Hurley and Robert L. Behnken, both veterans of the space shuttle program with two flights each under their belts. It’s particularly noteworthy for Douglas Hurley, as he was the pilot of the final space shuttle mission and now he is the pilot of the first commercial flight. They both appear calm and confident, which is reassuring, especially considering the inherent risks of spaceflight.
The vehicle they will be traveling in consists mostly of the Falcon 9 rocket, which will propel them into space. The top section is the spacecraft housing the astronauts. For safety, there is an ejector mechanism that can launch the spacecraft away from the main rocket in case of any problems during launch. This is known as the Integrated Launch Escape System.
Everything on this spacecraft has been slightly over-engineered to account for potential failures. For instance, the escape system has eight engines for redundancy, even though it only needs four to function. Similarly, the Falcon 9 rocket has nine engines instead of the seven required for launch.
On this test flight, only two seats will be used, but the spacecraft can accommodate seven astronauts. A notable change from previous spacecraft is that this one is controlled via touchscreen monitors, which surprised me. I would have thought that relying on a single point of failure could be risky, but I trust that they have thoroughly tested this system. Most of the flight is automated, although the astronauts have a manual override if needed.
Another difference in this mission is that the astronauts will be on top of the rocket while it is being fueled, as opposed to previous missions where fueling occurred before the astronauts boarded. This allows for a quicker launch once the rocket is fueled, as they are using cooled propellants, which are more effective when cold. While there is a concern about the rocket potentially exploding during fueling, SpaceX has successfully fueled many times before, and NASA has approved this method.
After launch, the first stage of the rocket will separate and return to Earth to land on a barge, which is an impressive feat of engineering since this part of the rocket is reusable, significantly reducing the cost of spaceflight. On the way to the space station, the astronauts will test the spacecraft’s manual controls and oversee an automatic docking with the station. They will spend two to three months working on the space station before returning to Earth.
This mission is the final test to prove to NASA that SpaceX can safely transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station. They have successfully completed numerous cargo deliveries but have never transported people before. To reach this stage, they have undergone a series of safety tests, including the pad abort test, which was passed in 2015. However, in 2019, the escape system rockets exploded during a test, delaying the schedule by nearly a year. Fortunately, they resolved the issue and successfully retested the escape system.
In March 2019, they conducted a full mission simulation to the space station and back without astronauts on board. The upcoming mission on May 27 will be the final test to demonstrate their capability to safely transport people to space. If successful, this will provide a new, more affordable way to access space, thanks to NASA’s Commercial Crew program, which funds commercial companies to develop efficient space travel solutions.
SpaceX is not the only company benefiting from this program; Boeing is also developing a spacecraft. If this mission is successful, it will mark the beginning of commercial space travel and potentially space tourism. A company called Space Adventures plans to sell tickets for flights beyond the Space Station for around 50 million dollars each. While this may be out of reach for many, it presents an exciting opportunity for wealthy individuals.
NASA has also approved Axiom Space, which plans to build a commercial space station in orbit, serviced by rockets like the SpaceX Falcon 9. All these plans depend on the success of the upcoming mission, making it a landmark event in space aviation. I am excited to watch it unfold and would love to hear your thoughts. Will you be watching? What do you think about the commercialization of space and space tourism? Do you see it as a positive development for funding space science, or do you have concerns about the implications of wealthy individuals venturing into space?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below, and if you enjoyed this video, check out some of my others. A special thanks to my Patreon supporters who make videos like this possible. Thank you, and I hope to see you on the 27th. Let’s hope everything goes smoothly!
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite expanse that exists beyond Earth’s atmosphere, where stars, planets, and other celestial bodies are found. – Scientists study space to understand more about the universe and our place in it.
Astronauts – Highly trained individuals who travel into space to conduct research and experiments. – Astronauts aboard the International Space Station conduct experiments that help us learn more about living in space.
Mission – A specific task or operation assigned to a spacecraft or team of astronauts, often involving exploration or research in space. – The mission to Mars aims to gather data about the planet’s surface and atmosphere.
Rocket – A vehicle or device propelled by the expulsion of gases, used to transport spacecraft and satellites into space. – The rocket launched successfully, carrying a new satellite into orbit.
Spacecraft – A vehicle or device designed for travel or operation in outer space. – The spacecraft was equipped with advanced technology to study the surface of distant planets.
Launch – The act of sending a spacecraft or rocket into space. – The launch of the new space telescope was broadcast live to millions of viewers around the world.
Station – A facility or structure in space, such as the International Space Station, where astronauts live and work for extended periods. – The space station orbits Earth and serves as a laboratory for scientific research.
Safety – The condition of being protected from danger or harm, especially important in space travel. – Ensuring the safety of astronauts is a top priority during any space mission.
Travel – The act of moving from one place to another, especially over long distances, such as from Earth to space. – Space travel requires careful planning and advanced technology to ensure a successful journey.
Commercial – Related to business or commerce, often referring to private companies involved in space exploration. – Commercial space companies are developing new technologies to make space travel more accessible.
