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!
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
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
When people travel in space for extended periods of time, their bodies are impacted by the lack of gravity. In particular, a wide range of physiological systems need to be considered such as the cardiovascular system and musculoskeletal systems of the astronauts. This becomes increasingly difficult as astronauts are in space for longer and longer stretches of time.
For this final part of the unit, you and your team will design a mission plan for a crew of 12 astronauts to travel to Mars. This 27-month journey will take them from Earth to Mars, spend some time on Mars, and then return to Earth. The shuttle design will happen later, right now your team’s job is to design the systems and parameters for the mission that will keep your team happy and healthy. You’ll need to research and consider different physiological systems and how to maintain them during the journey. You’ll also need to consider what tools and structures need to be in place both on the shuttle and on the surface of Mars.
GRADING & PROCESS
Take detailed notes on your chosen physiological system
Work with your team to select your crew and justify your choices
Design the systems for the shuttle and the Mars base
Create a complete description of your systems
Complete mission planning report
Have Mr. Benshoof confirm your mission plan
For teams with time, create a small model of what your system might look like!
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
Part 1 Resources
Part 2 Resources