Scale Modeling Space: from the Earth to the Moon

Scale Modeling Space: From the Earth to the Moon

To study space, is to grapple with questions as old as humanity. Understanding how the complex mechanisms of the universe work gives us a greater appreciation for its graceful and poetic beauty. The practical reasons for studying space are much more down to Earth. Daily weather forecasts, instantaneous worldwide communication, and a constant ability to record high-resolution images of vital regions are all examples of space technology that we've come to take for granted. (Jerry Jon Sellers)

This project is designed to help develop the understanding of space by taking abstract concepts and making them more concrete through researching, modeling, and problem solving the many different structural aspects of space, the space environment, space travel, hazards in space, and satellites.

Learning Targets:

I can research and create a small scale drawing of the different structures of space that relate to and affect satellites: LEO, GEO, MEO, van Allen Belts, South Atlantic Anomaly, where space begins,
I can create a large scale wall model of the different structures of space that relate to and effect satellites.
I can research and explain the hazards of the space environment and spacecraft.
I can add those hazards to the small and large scale wall models.
I can cooperatively work in a team to research and problem solve solutions to the many different hazards in space.
I can different types of satellites and add them in the appropriate areas on the scale models.

Procedure:

1. Prediction: On a legal size sheet of paper, predict the following distances in space:
Where space begins, Low Earth Orbit (LEO), middle earth orbit (MEO), geosynchronous or geostationary orbit (GEO) and both Van Allen Belts. ALLOW THE BOTTOM OF THE PAPER TO BE THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH AND THE TOP OF THE PAPER TO BE THE SURFACE OF THE MOON.

2. Research: Research the altitudes of each of the above items and the list of satellites provided on worksheet 1. Each region of space has predominant hazards associated with it. Research the hazards associated with each region and write a paragraph description describing the hazard of the regions and its effects on satellites and humans if applicable.

3. Small Scale drawing: Use proportional reasoning to determine the scale model of space and each of the regions above for the legal size sheet of paper you used to make the prediction. Use worksheet 2 to record your calculations. On the back of the prediction sheet draw you mathematical scale model of space from the surface of the earth to the surface of the moon.

Worksheet #1

Regions/
Satellites / Description / Altitude (km) / Hazards associated with the altitude
The Moon
/ Natural Satellite (note: the distance is often reported as center of earth to center of moon)
LEO
MEO
GEO
ISS / International Space Station
Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
CubeSat (choose one) / Small University Satellites
AO-51 (Amateur Oscar)
GOES
Chandra
Spitzer Space Telescope (SST)
GPS
XM-Radio
TDRS (Tracking and Data Relay Satellites)
Inner Van Allen Belt
Outer Van Allen Belt
South Atlantic Anomaly

Perform all scale conversions for your legal size paper model.

Regions/
Satellites / Altitude (km) / Scale Calculations / Scale height
The Moon
LEO
/ 130 – 2,000
MEO / 2000 – 35,786
GEO / 35,786
ISS / 355
Hubble Space Telescope (HST) / 559
CubeSat / 650
AO-51 / 780
GOES / 830 – 870
Chandra / 16,000 – 133,000
Spitzer Space Telescope (SST) / .1 AU
GPS / 20,200
XM-Radio / 35,786
TDRS / 35,880
Inner Van Allen Belt / 1,000 – 10,000
Outer Van Allen Belt / 13,000 – 60,000
South Atlantic Anomaly / 500

Now that you’ve scaled space from earth to the moon for your legal size sheet of paper, we want to create a class project scaling the same regions using the wall.

Step 1: Measure the height of the portion of the wall you wish to use in centimeters.

Step 2: Perform scale model calculation as you did for the legal size sheet for the height of the wall. Record all calculations in the table provided on Worksheet 3.

Step 3: Draw/label the scale model on the wall in the class room. Label the ranges for LEO, MEO, GEO, inner and outer Van Allen belts, and the South Atlantic Anomaly.

Step 4: Place color images of the satellites at the appropriate altitude on the wall chart.

Step 5: Write a description of the major hazards associated with each region you modeled for your chart (LEO, MEO, GEO, Inner VA belt, Outer VA belt, South Atlantic Anomaly, the region near the moon)

Step 6: Spit into 7 groups. Each group is to conduct a more in-depth research of their assigned region of space to determine methods to protect satellites and/or humans (if applicable: LEO and near the moon) from the predominant hazards of that region.

Analysis to be conducted at the end of construction of the wall model

1. How many times further is the GEO orbit from the ISS?

2. How many times further is the moon from the GEO orbit?

3. Does your mathematical model match your predicted model? Provide your perspective of the value of this project.

Worksheet 3

Perform all scale conversions for your WALL model.

Introduction to Satellites and Space Systems Page 2