Play the space spin-off game!

Transcription

1 Family activity: Play the space spin-off game! Your mission: To discover products that are used on Earth but were originally invented for use in space. You will need: at least 2 players Space spin-off cards (print and cut out the cards on pages 2 11) a pencil for each player a timer if you would like to make the game more challenging Space spin-offs Sixty years ago, the human race could only imagine spaceflight. Since then, however, our imagination and innovation have sent people to the Moon, rovers to other planets and space probes beyond our solar system. Transporting humans into space presents many different challenges, including: providing spacecraft with enough thrust and momentum to escape Earth s gravity designing advanced guidance and communications to ensure the correct flight path developing new materials that provide protection against radiation in space and the heat of re-entry maintaining a safe, breathable atmosphere, which has the proper temperature, humidity and mix of gases ensuring the crews have the equipment needed to carry out their mission and everyday tasks whilst staying healthy and happy. To meet these challenges, researchers, engineers and scientists are constantly working to invent, design and develop new and exciting technologies and materials A great deal of technology originally designed to assist space exploration has found its way to Earth. Play this game with your family and find out more about some of the technology developed for or by the aerospace industry that is now being used by people every day. How to play Shuffle the Space spin-off cards and place them picture side up where players can reach them. The first player chooses a card, shows the others the picture and reads the description below the picture. The other players take it turns to ask yes/no questions to determine what space-related use (given on the back of the card) the product or technology was originally invented for. Each player s turn continues until they get a No answer, at which point it is the next player s turn to ask questions. The person who correctly guesses the space-related use is given the card. At the end of the game, the player with the most cards is the winner. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Alternative ways to play Play a knockout game, where players go out if they guess incorrectly. Make the game more difficult by adding a timer. The winner is the player with the most cards when the timer goes off.

2 Temperature-controlling goalkeepers gloves Temperature-controlling goalkeepers gloves Aerospace use: spacesuits The technology: phase change materials (PCM), which absorb, store and release heat to maintain a regular, comfortable temperature. Purpose: to protect astronauts from temperature changes in space. Goalkeepers gloves that absorb, store and release heat to keep the hands at a comfortable temperature. Other everyday uses: bedding, active wear, underwear, socks and gloves, hats and helmets, footwear and seating. Baby formula Baby formula Aerospace use: food / nutrition for astronauts The technology: microalgae research, which identified an algae and a fungus that could be used as sources of essential fatty acids. Purpose: the research was originally commissioned to explore the use of microalgae as a food supply, a source of oxygen and a recycling agent on long space missions. An algae-based supplement that contains essential fatty acids and is used in some baby formulas. Other everyday uses: nutritional supplements.

3 Extra-strong fishing nets Extra-strong fishing nets Aerospace use: safety net The technology: a sophisticated method of twisting a polyester-like material to produce a strong, fire and UV-resistant twine. Purpose: a compact and strong safety net for personnel working on the Shuttle Orbiter. Other everyday uses: safety nets on racing catamarans. An extra-strong fishing net that sinks faster than standard nets and can be used at greater depths. Anti-icing spray for car windscreens Anti-icing spray for car windscreens Aerospace use: to prevent ice build-up on aeroplane wings The technology: an environmentally-friendly fluid with a very low freezing point. Purpose: to prevent hazardous ice from building up on aeroplane wings, improving safety while saving time and money (spent on de-icing). A fluid that is sprayed on a car windscreen the night before to prevent ice bonding to the glass. Other everyday uses: anti-icing agent for rail tracks.

4 Firefighters uniforms Firefighters uniforms Aerospace use: spacesuits / lining of capsule vehicles The technology: polymer (PBI) textiles, which are heat and flame resistant. Purpose: to protect astronauts from extreme heat and the danger of fire. Other everyday uses: military uniforms and race suits worn by Formula 1 drivers. Heat and fire-resistant suits worn by firefighters. Reconnaissance robot Reconnaissance robot Aerospace use: scout robots for use on the Moon The technology: multi-function, agile, remote-controlled robots. Purpose: the robots are being developed to help set up communication systems and carry out simple experiments on the Moon. A remote-controlled robot used in war zones to identify explosive devices, allowing soldiers to stay at a safe distance.

5 Heat-reflective blankets for marathon runners Heat-reflective blankets for marathon runners Aerospace use: a reflective sunshield for Skylab / reflective insulation for satellites and spacecraft The technology: the technique of applying a highly-reflective coating (e.g. vaporised aluminium) to lightweight, thin plastic sheets. Purpose: to reflect or conserve infrared energy. Heat-reflective blankets that keep marathon runners warm when they stop running by reducing heat loss. Other everyday uses: emergency / survival blankets and the lining of gloves and vests. Cordless tools Cordless tools Aerospace use: tools for use on the Moon The technology: a lightweight, compact and efficient drill with its own power source. Purpose: to collect core samples during the Apollo mission to the Moon. Other everyday uses: the technology has since been developed into a wide range of cordless tools, including vacuum cleaners, drills and hedge trimmers. Lightweight and compact tools with their own power source.

6 Fishing reel oil Fishing reel oil Aerospace use: to lubricate ground vehicles at the Space Centre The technology: an environmentally-friendly lubricant with a long operating life, which provides protection against sand and heat. Purpose: to lubricate the crawler vehicles that transport the 5000 tonne mobile launcher platform for the space shuttle. A lubricant that helps fishing reels to operate smoothly even when exposed to sun and seawater. Other everyday uses: lubricants for train tracks, industrial machinery, racing cars and general household uses. Memory foam mattresses Memory foam mattresses Aerospace use: seat padding in aeroplanes and spacecraft The technology: a three-inch foam pad that can absorb the impact of an adult falling 3 metres. Purpose: to provide impact protection (acts as a shock absorber) and improve comfort. Mattresses made from a foam that adapts to the shape of your body and returns to its original shape when the pressure is removed. Other everyday uses: furniture, sports equipment, medical applications and footwear.

7 Electrolyte concentrate for athletes Electrolyte concentrate for athletes Aerospace use: to hydrate astronauts The technology: an electrolyte concentrate that is quickly absorbed by the body to combat dehydration. Purpose: to treat and prevent dehydration (caused by the effects of microgravity) in astronauts returning to Earth. Other everyday uses: the treatment of heat stroke, altitude sickness, jet lag and disease. An electrolyte concentrate that is added to water to keep athletes hydrated and help improve performance. Detailed panoramic photographs Detailed panoramic photographs Aerospace use: cameras on Mars rovers The technology: photographic stitching software, which automatically creates highly detailed, panoramic digital images. Purpose: to build a detailed picture of the Mars landscape. Other everyday uses: photographing regions affected by natural disasters to identify the areas where help is needed. An intelligent tripod (GigaPan), which allows amateur photographers to take detailed, panoramic photographs.

8 Polarised sunglasses Polarised sunglasses Aerospace use: protective glasses / visors for astronauts The technology: polarised lenses that block 99% of harmful light wavelengths and improve visual clarity. Purpose: to protect the eyes from harmful solar radiation in space, including blue and ultraviolet light. Sunglasses with polarised lenses that block harmful light wavelengths. Other everyday uses: welding masks, pilots glasses, surgeons glasses, visors, ski goggles and prescription glasses. Smartphone cameras Smartphone cameras Aerospace use: cameras on spacecraft The technology: an energy-efficient (CMOS) light sensor with all its components on a single chip. Purpose: miniaturised cameras that take up very little space and require very little power, capable of taking science quality images, for use on interplanetary spacecraft. Small, lightweight cameras that produce high-quality images without requiring much power. Other everyday uses: digital cameras, surveillance cameras, cameras on vehicles and medical imaging devices.

9 Fogless ski goggles Fogless ski goggles Aerospace use: keeping spacecraft windows clear The technology: a coating that can be applied to a plastic or glass surface to prevent fogging. Purpose: to keep spacecraft windows clear before launch. Ski goggles that do not fog up. Other everyday uses: deep-sea diving masks, fire-protection helmets, eye glasses and vehicle windows. Freeze-dried fruit Freeze-dried fruit Aerospace use: food / nutrition for astronauts The technology: the technique of freeze drying food, i.e. flash freezing food and then slowly heating it in a vacuum to remove the ice crystals formed. Purpose: appetising and nutritious meals that are lightweight, keep for long periods and can be easily prepared. First developed for the Apollo astronauts. Freeze-dried fruit, which will keep for longer than fresh fruit and can, therefore, be used in products such as breakfast cereals. Other everyday uses: emergency / expedition food and snacks.