Launch Vehicles and Sensing Technology: Launch Vehicles and Sensing Technology


How Rockets Work: How Rockets Work Newton's Laws of Motion are: An object at rest tends to remain at rest An object in motion tends to remain in motion For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction


Conservation of Momentum: Conservation of Momentum Newton's Laws are all contained in a more general principle called conservation of momentum. Momentum is mass times velocity In a system that is not disturbed from outside, the total momentum stays constant.


Conservation of Momentum Means:: Conservation of Momentum Means: If velocity is zero, momentum is zero (Newton's First Law) If velocity is not zero, and mass doesn't change, then velocity doesn't change (Newton's Second Law)


Conservation of Momentum and Newton’s Third Law: Conservation of Momentum and Newton’s Third Law If mass changes somehow, then so does velocity. If an object is stationary, and flings off mass, the rest of the mass moves in the opposite direction. The flung off mass has positive momentum, the rest has negative momentum, and the total momentum remains zero (Newton's Third Law).


Conservation of Momentum: Conservation of Momentum


Rockets and Jets: Rockets and Jets Rockets and jets work according to Newton's Third Law. They fire mass out at high speed and acquire velocity in the opposite direction. They do not need something to push against. They move because they are expelling exhaust gases at high speeds. Tthe rocket or jet is pushing mass away, and the mass is pushing back (equal and opposite reaction.)


How Rockets and Jets Differ: How Rockets and Jets Differ Rockets and jets expel mass by burning fuel. A jet gets the oxygen for combustion from the atmosphere A rocket carries oxygen in some form with it. Thus rockets can function outside the Earth's atmosphere; jets can't.


Rockets are Mostly Fuel (and Oxygen): Rockets are Mostly Fuel (and Oxygen) A rocket or jet has to carry all its remaining fuel with it. (And oxygen, if it’s a rocket). Most of the mass of the Space Shuttle is fuel, and most of that is used to get the remaining fuel off the ground. The miles-per-gallon fuel economy of the Space Shuttle in its first foot off the ground is pretty terrible!


About Orbits and Satellites: About Orbits and Satellites Satellites travel elliptical paths with the center of the Earth at one focus (Kepler's First Law) Inertia causes object to continue moving in a straight line Gravity pulls object to Earth Balance between the two = orbit


Newton’s Mountain: Newton’s Mountain


Important Orbits: Important Orbits Low vs. High Inclination Almost all are Prograde Polar Orbits for global coverage Circular Orbits strongly preferred Constant altitude Constant speed Sun-Synchronous Geosynchronous


About Orbits: About Orbits You do not need to expend fuel to stay in orbit Satellites need attitude control fuel to correct for atmospheric drag, lunar and solar gravity, etc. May want thrusters to help maintain orbits Spin stabilization helps Once below 200 km, atmospheric braking leads to re-entry


Three Pioneers of Rocketry: Three Pioneers of Rocketry Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857-1935) Worked out theoretical problems of spaceflight Robert Goddard (1882-1945) First Liquid Fuel Rocket Hermann Oberth (1894-1989) Helped create operational rockets


Robert Goddard -First Liquid-Fuel Rocket, 1926: Robert Goddard - First Liquid-Fuel Rocket, 1926


The V-1: The V-1


The V-2: The V-2


From Sapwood to Sputnik: From Sapwood to Sputnik An existing rocket, the SS-6, was used. The warhead section was removed A cluster of four more SS-6 engines was bolted around a central engine Very Dependable


Sputnik I: Sputnik I October 4, 1957 S- (with) + put’ (path) + -nik (one who) = Sputnik Literally, one who follows the same path


Early Rockets, Kennedy Space Center: Early Rockets, Kennedy Space Center


Early Rockets, Huntsville AL: Early Rockets, Huntsville AL


V-2 Huntsville AL: V-2 Huntsville AL


V-2 shrapnel: V-2 shrapnel


V-2 Components: V-2 Components


Gemini, 1965: Gemini, 1965


Sensor Technology: Sensor Technology Passive (senses only ambient signals) Active (emits signals) Imaging Non-Imaging Scanning (mechanical or electronic) Non-scanning


The Single Most Valuable Product of the Space Program: The Single Most Valuable Product of the Space Program


Crescent Earth: Crescent Earth


Himalayas from Space Shuttle: Himalayas from Space Shuttle


Volcano, Alaska: Volcano, Alaska


Fringing Reefs: Fringing Reefs


Icebergs, Antarctica: Icebergs, Antarctica


A Noble Myth: A Noble Myth “In my life, I've seen the images from space of a blue-white-green world — there are no political lines drawn on this planet. Luis J. Rodriguez “The border between the United States and Mexico is an imaginary line. It cannot be seen from space” The Border Zone:A History of Trade between the United States and Mexico, Julia Albright; Age of Irony, Winter 2004


“You Can’t See Borders From Space”: “You Can’t See Borders From Space”


Mexican Border: Mexican Border


Mexican Border: Mexican Border


Menominee County, WI: Menominee County, WI


U.S.-Canadian Border: U.S.-Canadian Border


Landsat View of Green Bay: Landsat View of Green Bay


Landsat View of Green Bay: Landsat View of Green Bay


Landsat view of Washington D.C.: Landsat view of Washington D.C.


Radar Image of New York City: Radar Image of New York City


Spy Satellite Views of Soviet Aircraft Carrier: Spy Satellite Views of Soviet Aircraft Carrier


Spy Satellite View of Soviet Airfield: Spy Satellite View of Soviet Airfield


World Trade Center, September 11, 2001: World Trade Center, September 11, 2001


And Now For Something Completely Different….: And Now For Something Completely Different….


Gulf Stream in Infrared: Gulf Stream in Infrared


Ultraviolet View of Earth: Ultraviolet View of Earth


The Ocean Floor From Space: The Ocean Floor From Space


Earth and Moon Together: Earth and Moon Together


An Eclipse of the Sun – By Earth: An Eclipse of the Sun – By Earth