CK12 Earth Science

• Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, Robert Goddard, and Hermann Oberthall came up with sim-
  ilar ideas for improving rocket design. These included using liquid fuel and using
  multiple stages.


• A satellite is an object that orbits a larger object. Moons are natural satellites. Arti-
  ficial satellites are made by humans.


• Newton’s law of universal gravitation explains how the force of gravity works, both on
  Earth and across space. Gravity hold satellites in orbit.


• Artificial satellites are used for imaging Earth and other planets, for navigation, and
  for communication.


• The launch of the Sputnik 1 satellite started a Space Race between the United States
  and the Soviet Union.


• The United States’ Apollo 11 mission put the first humans on the Moon.


• The U.S. and Soviet Union also sent several probes to other planets during the Space
  Race.

Review Questions

1. Use Newton’s third law to explain how a rocket moves.


2. List the three great pioneers of rocket science.


3. What is the difference between a rocket and a satellite? How are they related?


4. What is the name of Earth’s natural satellite?


5. Explain why a satellite in polar orbit will be able to take pictures of all parts of the
   Earth over time.


6. Describe three different types of orbits.


7. What event launched the Space Race?


8. What goal did John F. Kennedy set for the United States in the Space Race?


9. What are the advantages of a multi-stage rocket instead of a single-stage rocket?

Further Reading / Supplemental Links

• http://exploration.grc.nasa.gov/education/rocket/TRCRocket/history_of_rockets.
  html


• http://www.solarviews.com/eng/rocket.htm


• http://www.thespaceplace.com/history/rocket2.html


• Hermann_Oberth; Wernher_von_Braun; V-2_rocket; Satellites; Natural_satellite;
  Newton_cannonball; Sputnik_1; Sputnik_program; Space_Race; Cold_War; John_F._Kennedy;
  Apollo_program; List_of_planetary_probes.


• http://www.thespacesite.com/space_contents.html


• http://www.thespaceplace.com/history/space.html


• http://www.aero.org/education/primers/space/history.html


• http://science.howstuffworks.com/satellite.htm