Landing a Space Capsule
Today we will learn about space capsules and what they need to land safely!
Before we start, let’s reflect on these questions:
What is a space capsule?
An space capsule is a small aircraft capable of taking astronauts into space.
American space capsules land in the ocean with parachutes for a softer landing.
Let’s Visit Intrepid!
Press play on the next slide to travel to the Intrepid Museum and learn Intrepid’s role in retrieving space capsules.
How is Intrepid connected to space capsules?
Intrepid was the recovery vessel for two space missions.
In 1962 Intrepid recovered astronaut Scott Carpenter from the Mercury-Atlas 7 mission.
In 1965 Intrepid recovered the Gemini III capsule and its crew “Gus” Grissom and John Young.
What do designers and engineers consider when designing a space capsule?
Engineers need to carefully consider the safety and comfort of astronauts when building a space capsule. Space capsules must maintain steady air pressure, oxygen levels and temperature to protect the people inside. The capsule must have a heat shield for protection when reentering earth’s atmosphere.
Let’s look at a few different space capsules!
Scientists have developed multiple different types of space capsules. Let's look at a few of them!
Mercury Space Capsule
The first manned Mercury capsule went to space in 1961.
These capsules were equipped to carry one astronaut.
Like all space capsules Mercury had a pressurized cabin and heat shield to protect the astronaut on board.
Testing the Mercury space capsule
Once a space capsule is complete scientists need to do lots of tests to make sure the capsule works as it should.
Sometimes these tests include and astronaut seeing how it feels to be inside the capsule.
Scott Carpenter testing how his spacesuit would feel inside the Mercury Atlas-7 space capsule.
Gemini Space Capsule
Gemini capsules held two astronauts while orbiting the earth.
These space capsules were in service from 1963 to 1966.
Gemini capsules were used by astronauts to perform the first “space walks”.
Gemini III Space Capsule
What did Gemini capsules do?
The mission of early space capsules was to orbit the earth.
Newer space capsules visit the moon and hope to one day see Mars.
While orbiting astronauts could test out new inventions like space food and conduct experiments.
How would it feel to see the earth from so far away?
Soyuz Space Capsule
Iterations of the Soyuz space capsule have been in use since the 1960’s.
American astronauts and civilians have paid to go to space in these Russian space capsules.
These capsules can hold three people.
Photo courtesy of NASA
Photo courtesy of NASA
Can you design your own space capsule for three astronauts?
First you need to answer some important questions:
Gather your materials!
Print out your three astronauts from the print out.
Collect any craft and recycled materials that you can use to create your space capsule.
Gather scissors, glue and tape.
Gather your materials!
Use your imagination and build a space capsule for your three paper astronauts.
Reflection