Overview

We live in a unique era in human history. Humans began to explore space only 50 years ago. The 50^th anniversary of the first successful launch of a man-made satellite was on October 4, 2007. That satellite, called Sputnik and launched by the Soviet Union, only orbited the Earth for a few weeks. Its purpose was primarily to boldly demonstrate the technological superiority of the Soviet Union. It sparked a technological revolution in the United States which led to many unmanned missions of exploration and the landing of men on the Moon. Never before in the history of civilization had humanity reached beyond the confines of Earth to explore the solar system. Now, fifty years later, it seems almost commonplace.

Some may wonder why we should bother to explore space. There are many reasons but for me they fall into three categories. First, we should explore space because we want to know. Exploration on Earth was always partly just to find out what’s out there. Space exploration gives us a unique opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the universe and to discover the interconnectedness of all things. Second, space exploration allows us a chance to find out about our origins. Where did the universe come from? The solar system? Earth? How did life on Earth begin and does it exist elsewhere in the solar system or within our galaxy? Third and finally, space exploration gives us information about our climate and how the cycles of the Sun and the small changes in the Earth’s orbit will affect life on Earth. It can also gives us forewarning of large inter planetary rocks and comets which could collide catastrophically with the Earth.

For this research project you will learn and write about one of the many space exploration missions that have been undertaken since 1957. You will write about the mission from beginning to end with details about its launch(es), orbit(s), technology, and science results.

Your research project has implications beyond your grade for this course. When all projects have been completed and graded I will select five which are the best of the best. They will be edited and re-submitted for inclusion in a permanently bound book to be kept in the library. It will serve as a resource to students in the future. It will also be a monument to your achievements.

The Paper

Your research paper must have several sections (listed below). Each section should be as long as two or three pages. The questions listed below each section heading are merely for guidance. You may think of other relevant questions in each section. Note: some missions involved only one spacecraft, some involved several. If a mission involves more than one spacecraft, describe all of them in your paper.

1. Launch and Space Travel
   • What are the relevant dates for the mission? Launch? Operational period? Extensions? Give a time line.
   • Describe the launch and launch vehicle (rocket)
   • How did the spacecraft get where it was going? Why did it take the path it did?
   • Describe the operational orbital path of the spacecraft: where did it orbit while carrying out its mission?
   • If the spacecraft was not in orbit during the whole mission, describe its location and basic operations.
2. Technology
   • What did the spacecraft look like? (A diagram would help). Name and describe the important parts.
   • What science instruments were used? What did they do and what were they meant to find out?
   • What sort of imaging package does the mission have?
   • How did the spacecraft communicate with Earth? How does it send/receive signals and how do scientists on Earth send instructions and receive data?
   • What was the energy source for the mission? Why was that source chosen?
   • Were there any special or new technologies used for the mission? What technology was developed specifically for the mission, if any? Describe it and explain why it was needed and what it was for.
3. Science Mission
   • What was the purpose of the mission?
   • What were the science results of the mission? Was it successful? Did it go beyond expectations?
   • Give details about the scientific results. Images, charts and tables might be useful for this.
   • Were there any special events or surprises?
   • What were the five most important/interesting scientific results of the mission?

Your paper must be typed. You will submit your paper electronically to Mr. Keller’s e-mail address. Look up the address in your school planner. It is also on the homepage of this web site. You must send your choice of mission in a word document attachment to Mr. Keller at his e-mail address within two days of receiving this assignment. The registration is worth 5 points on the paper’s grade. You must register your choice with your teacher before starting the project. No two students in one class may choose the same mission. Failure to register will result in a zero because your project will not be accepted. The missions you may choose from are listed below.

The Bibliography

You must have at least five sources. Only three of these can be Internet sources. Your bibliography must be in standard form. Use the library’s link to NoodleTools to help you with formatting. Points will be deducted for improperly formatted bibliographies.

You may need to do research beyond the confines of the Scarborough High School library and computer lab. Be ready to take some time to visit the town library. Be willing to take the time to talk to a librarian for help.

Missions you may Study

The following list of unmanned space exploration missions is by no means complete but it includes some of the most famous and successful missions. A link to the homepage(s) of each mission is included with each one. Further information about these missions can be found by searching on the Internet. A good place to start is the Solar System Exploration Missions (http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/index.cfm) page at NASA (http://www.nasa.gov/).

Missions you may Study, continued

A Few Tips

• Follow this general procedure:
  1. Find and collect your sources and prepare your bibliography. Choose sources from two categories: those that tell you about the mission and those that will help you to understand the science of the mission.
  2. Carefully read your sources and take notes on things you would like to include in your paper.
  3. Write your paper from the standpoint of a knowledgeable person. If you come to a point where you don’t know an important fact or detail, go back to your sources…or find a new source!
  4. Read your paper carefully and take out anything which does not contribute useful information about the mission.
• Do not be tempted to pad your paper with empty sentences: make sure everything you write communicates an important detail or explains an idea. A professional paper is not trying to impress anyone—it just tells an interesting story.
• Make your paper interesting to read. Tell the story of the mission as a story.