Welcome to SpaceQuest!
Welcome to Space Quest! My name is Sharon Brewster. I am a fifth grade teacher who grew up during the space age. As a child, I watched men ride rockets of fire and it ignited in me a fascination with space exploration. My goal is to pass this fascination on to my students, and to children and adults everywhere. On this site, you will find activities, lessons, stories, and links to a variety of sites all connected to space exploration. You can learn about the early star voyagers who blasted off into the unknown, and you can recreate that experience by entering a simulation. Whether you want to be an astronaut or just want to learn about them, there is something here for you!
Calling all kids, join the Space Program!
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union and the United States were vying for control of space. Although the United States achieved the ultimate success of landing men on the Moon, the Soviets dazzled the world with a series of space "firsts." Unfortunately, because of the Cold War, America's public knew little of these achievements, but they are worthy of recognition. The Soviets were the first to launch an animal, a man, and then a woman into space. A Russian was the first to spacewalk outside his space craft, and the first space station was Russian. These are only a few of the Soviet space successes that you can explore on this site.
Starting October 6, 2008, you can watch Soviet space exploration as it unfolds. SpaceQuest and I will be traveling to Russia and Kazakhstan to visit inside the Russian space program and will be sending photos and video of the trip. See Russian Mission Control. Visit Star City, where the cosmonauts live and train. Witness the rollout of the Soyuz rocket in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Meet the International Space Station Expedition 18 crew as they prepare for their mission. Experience the launch of the crew and their docking with the International Space Station. An incredible journey continues, and you can be part of it!
House Call for Hubble
House Call for Hubble
Space Shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to launch on October 8, 2008 on a mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. The Hubble, launched in 1990, orbits 350 miles above Earth. It is in need of some repair and upgrades. The first major optical telescope to be placed in space, the Hubble gives us a clear view of the universe. Because it orbits so high, there are no city lights, rain clouds, or pollution to obstruct its view. The Hubble Space Telescope does not travel to stars, planets, or galaxies. It snaps pictures of them as it orbits around Earth at 17,500 miles per hour. Astronomers are using images from Hubble to observe the most distant stars and galaxies, as well as the planets in our own solar system. To view some of the images from Hubble, go to hubblesite.org/gallery/album/star_collection/pr2006033c
In October, seven astronauts will carry equipment, tools, and new instruments on the fifth and final mission to service the telescope. The repairs and upgrades will help extend the life of the Hubble Space Telescope. Once the space shuttle retires in 2010, we will have no way to repair the Hubble.
The eleven day mission will feature five spacewalks. Astronauts will climb outside the space shuttle to work on the space telescope. They will be dressed in special EVA (extra-vehicular activity) suits to keep them safe as they work, traveling 17,500 miles per hour. What is it like to be whizzing around in orbit 350 miles above Earth? To perform your own simulated EVA go to www.discovery.com/stories/science/iss/i_spacewalk.html
Posts
1 comment:
Sharon - I love your site!
Post a Comment