Introduction to Aerospace Engineering: Astronautics and Human Spaceflight

<div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-vertical" data-request-token="ab985b32ea7011efb8100e0e3c45b88f" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+16.00x+2T2019+type@vertical+block@9dcfae8c5f944fc5ae47633a84760085" data-graded="False" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="vertical" data-init="VerticalStudentView" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+16.00x+2T2019" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime"> <h2 class="hd hd-2 unit-title">Overview</h2> <div class="vert-mod"> <div class="vert vert-0" data-id="block-v1:MITx+16.00x+2T2019+type@html+block@8818aa78a4d0459080eae18ccd48a63c"> <div class="xblock xblock-public_view xblock-public_view-html xmodule_display xmodule_HtmlBlock" data-request-token="ab985b32ea7011efb8100e0e3c45b88f" data-usage-id="block-v1:MITx+16.00x+2T2019+type@html+block@8818aa78a4d0459080eae18ccd48a63c" data-graded="False" data-has-score="False" data-runtime-version="1" data-block-type="html" data-init="XBlockToXModuleShim" data-course-id="course-v1:MITx+16.00x+2T2019" data-runtime-class="LmsRuntime"> <script type="json/xblock-args" class="xblock-json-init-args"> {"xmodule-type": "HTMLModule"} </script> <h2>6.1.1 Overview of Unit 6</h2> <p><img style="display: block; margin: 20px auto 20px auto;" src="/assets/courseware/v1/2fd17094e2b451fce56d089e5aeed3a8/asset-v1:MITx+16.00x+2T2019+type@asset+block/BuzzAldrinMoonwalkApollo11_550.jpg" alt="Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the lunar module pilot, stands on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 11 moonwalk in 1969. This photo was taken by astronaut Neil Armstrong, the Apollo 11 mission commander." type="saveimage" target="[object Object]" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-family: 'Open Sans', Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the lunar module pilot, stands on the surface of the moon during the Apollo 11 moonwalk in 1969. This photo was taken by astronaut Neil Armstrong, the Apollo 11 mission commander. (Image credit: NASA)</span></em></p> <p>Thus far in 16.00x, we have talked about using rockets to launch into space, performing orbital maneuvers, sustaining human life onboard a spacecraft, ensuring system safety, and human physiology in microgravity environments.  However, the purpose of human spaceflight is not only to gain a new perspective of planet Earth, but also to leave the confines of the spacecraft to perform specific tasks and explore other celestial bodies in our solar system.  Once in space, any task that involves leaving the spacecraft is referred to as extravehicular activity (EVA), or more commonly, "spacewalking".</p> <p>Perhaps the most famous EVA took place during the Apollo 11 mission in July 1969, in which NASA astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed the lunar module Eagle and became the first humans to walk on the Moon.  In addition to the Apollo lunar missions, other examples of EVA include servicing missions to the Hubble Space Telescope and other spacecraft, and building and maintaining the International Space Station.</p> <p>After finishing Unit 6, students are expected to be able to:</p> <ul> <li>MO 6.1: Identify the basic requirements for humans to stay alive in a space suit</li> <li>MO 6.2: Identify the basic requirements for humans to do useful work in a space suit</li> <li>MO 6.3: Explain the relationship between space suit pressure and mobility</li> <li>MO 6.4: Explain the relationship between space suit pressure and the risk of decompression sickness</li> <li>MO 6.5: Discuss the importance of proper tools, training, and a stable work platform for efficient EVA work</li> <li>MO 6.6: Describe the key steps in preparing for and carrying out a spacewalk</li> <li>MO 6.7: Identify the limitations of traditional space suits, and describe how ongoing research in space suit design can help address some of these challenges</li> <li>MO 6.8: Explain the importance of robotics in spaceflight and space exploration</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div>