AE Unit 7
Physiology & Society
Physiology & Society Introduction
Welcome to Unit 7

We’ve already learned how basic aerodynamics works from a physics perspective, so now it’s time to consider how flight impacts people’s bodies and the way they get along.  We need to know how people’s bodies react to different aspects of flight so that we can design aircraft that can be piloted well and sustain long-term travel. In addition, we need to understand the impact of increased space travel on the interactions between people. In this unit you should learn: 

  • The physiological factors that need to be considered for pilots and travelers
  • The laws governing space and the impact of human travel in space
  • How to plan for long-term space travel

While there are many biology and anatomy classes that go into the details of human physiology, we’ll start with the basics of human perception and physiological systems. In this unit, you’ll go through three major steps:

  • STEP 1: Work with a team to collect your own perception data
  • STEP 2: Investigate the size of the universe, space junk, and space law 
  • STEP 3: Work with your team to plan a Mars Mission

When you’re all done, you’ll have a good perspective on the factors that play into planning decisions for manned flight and missions in space!

Part 1: Perception

Perception Overview

As this unit gets started, we’ll be looking at a variety of human perception variables.  Your job will be to work with your team through each station and measure the corresponding variable for each person.  In the end, you’ll add your data to the shared Aerospace Spreadsheet. We’ll then be able to make some cool graphs and draw some neat conclusions about how we need to consider human perception in the design of air and space craft.

GRADING & PROCESS

 Take 1 full page of notes on the various perception measurements we’ll use

 Collect perception data for all team members

 Look through the shared results and write some conclusions in your engineering notebook

 Have Mr. Benshoof confirm your data collection & analysis

Human Physiology

Human Systems

The Human Body in Space

Part 2: Designing

Human Body In Space

Space is a pretty big place, and as human society gets closer and closer to spending time in space, it’s important that we understand how our impact has grown in recent decades. Not only do people have to be able to comprehend the magnitude of sizes in the universe, they also need to get along.  A set of laws exist to govern societies in space to help facilitate that. In this part of the unit, you’ll learn about three key topics: the size of the universe, laws in space, and the increase in space junk.  

GRADING & PROCESS

 Take careful notes on the size of the universe

 Take careful notes on space law

 Take careful notes on space junk

 Have Mr. Benshoof check-off your notes

 

Size of the Universe

Space Law

Space Junk

Part 3: Malemute Mars Mission

Mars 101

Why Should We Go to Mars?

Enduring the Journey to Mars

Building Shelter on Mars

Creating Air on Mars

Extracting Water on Mars

Generating Power on Mars

Growing Food on Mars