18-19: Lexicon
PINK = Must Learn
ORANGE = To properly control the project
Solar system
For the IN ORBIT challenge: this is the area of space comprising all the celestial bodies that are within a radius of fifty (50) astronomical units (AU) or approximately 7.5 billion km from the Sun. Our Sun's solar system generally describes all objects that are under its gravitational influence or objects that can be influenced by its radiation. However, there is no consensus regarding its exact end due to the lack of data on the limits of the heliosphere.
Space
The zone separating the Earth from other celestial bodies. Space begins at an altitude of about 100 kilometers above sea level.
Astronomy
The study of the sun, moon, stars, planets, comets, galaxies and other celestial bodies.
Astronomical unit (AU)
Unit of measurement of distance used in astronomy. An AU is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun, approximately 150 million km.
Orbit
The path of a celestial body – such as a planet or a moon – around another celestial body. In our solar system, for example, the planets orbit the Sun, and there are several moons orbiting the planets. Artificial satellites and spacecraft are also placed in orbit around the earth and other planets.
Star
A celestial body composed of gas that produces light and energy through nuclear reactions. Stars are often the most visible objects at night. Astronomers and physicists estimate that there could be up to two trillion stars in any given galaxy.
Galaxy
A galaxy is a huge collection of gas, dust, and trillions of stars and their solar systems. Scientists estimate that there could be up to a hundred billion galaxies in the universe.
The Sun
The closest star to Earth and the most massive body in our solar system. The Sun is also the most important source of energy for life on Earth.
Heliosphere
The area around the Sun that is influenced by the solar wind.
Heliopause
The region around the Sun that marks the end of the heliosphere and the boundary of our solar system.
Electromagnetic rays
Electromagnetic energy that travels in the form of waves or particles. The term "rays" includes all x-rays, visible light, radio waves. Some electromagnetic rays, such as X-rays and gamma rays, can be very harmful to humans.
Solar wind
Type of electromagnetic rays emitted by the solar corona. This radiation can create hazards for humans in space, damage orbiting satellites and even destroy power grids on Earth.
Comet
A ball of frozen gas, rocks and dust orbiting the Sun. Jets of gas and dust from comets form long tails that can be seen from Earth.
Asteroid
A rocky object in space whose diameter varies between one meter to one thousand kilometers. Most asteroids in the solar system orbit in rings around Mars and Jupiter.
Meteorite
A rocky object in space whose diameter does not exceed one meter. On contact with the atmosphere, a meteorite heats up to the point of forming a luminous trail, it is then called a meteor. If the meteor arrives intact on the surface of the Earth in the form of a rock, then it is called a meteorite.
Micrometeorites
Micrometeorites are very small meteoroids that can seriously damage spacecraft. They often move at speeds of 10 km/s or more.
Planet
A planet is a celestial body orbiting a star massive enough that its own gravity has shaped it into a spherical shape and cleared its orbit from other massive objects. Planets are not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion to become stars.
Satellite
The term “satellite” generally refers to a natural or man-made object orbiting the Earth, the Moon or another planet. Artificial satellites are used for communication or to collect data. The term can also refer to a celestial body orbiting the Earth or another planet.
Moon
A natural satellite that constitutes a celestial body in orbit around a planet or a minor planet.
The Moon
The moon is the name given to the Earth's only permanent natural satellite. It is the fifth largest natural satellite in the solar system.
Atmosphere
The layer of gas surrounding the Earth or other planets. The Earth's atmosphere can be described as a series of layers with different characteristics.
Remote sensing
Gathering information about a place or an object without being in direct contact with it. Satellites and space probes are used to collect data on planets across the solar system, and rovers use a multitude of tools and sensors to obtain information about planets like Mars._cc781905-5cde-3194-bb3b -136bad5cf58d_
Astromobiles
A semi-autonomous robot that explores the surface of another planet in our solar system.
Space probe
An unmanned spacecraft that travels through space to gather information about our solar system.
Telescope
A device that allows us to do remote sensing by collecting electromagnetic rays, such as visible light or radio waves, to create images or descriptions of celestial bodies. Visible or optical light telescopes use mirrors or lenses to see distant planets, stars and galaxies. Radio, X-ray, or gamma-ray telescopes detect invisible electromagnetic waves emitted by stars, galaxies, and even black holes.
coring
A cylindrical section of rock or soil that is used to examine the geological history of an area, or see the composition of materials below the surface. Cores are very useful in space exploration, as they allow scientists to explore for possible signs of life, find out how the various planets were formed, and look for resources that might be useful in supporting life or producing energy.
regolith
Present on all telluric planets of the solar system, the regolith describes the layer of dust and small rocks that cover the ground. The inner planets of the solar system (Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars) all have a layer of regolith, as do some moons.
Gravity
Gravity is a force of attraction between two masses, two bodies or two particles. Gravity is not just the attraction that the Earth exerts on objects, it is an attraction that exists between all objects, everywhere in the universe. The gravity observed on the surface of a planet depends on its size, mass and density.
Mass
Measures the amount of matter in an object. The mass of an object does not change depending on its position in the solar system or the universe. The official unit of mass is the kilogram (kg) in the metric system and the slug in the imperial system.
Weight
A measure of the force exerted by gravity on an object. The official unit of weight is the newton (N.) in the metric system and the pound (lb) in the imperial system.
Microgravity
Microgravity translates to the weightlessness felt in a spacecraft orbiting the Earth or other planets. The microgravity effect is caused by the free fall of spacecraft in orbit around a planet while under the influence of its gravity.
Reduced Gravity
The gravity observed on the surface of the Moon or Mars is lower than that of the Earth. When humans are on the surface of the Moon or other planets, they find themselves in conditions of reduced gravity.
Speed
Speed is the rate at which an object covers a distance, for example “10 meters per second (m/s).”
Speed vector
The speed vector of an object represents the speed as well as the direction in which it is moving, for example "10 meters per second (m/s) north."
Acceleration
The rate of change of an object's speed. In the metric system, acceleration is usually measured in meters per second squared (m/s2) while in the imperial system it is feet per second squared (ft./s2). Acceleration can be linear, if an object simply speeds up or slows down, or non-linear, if the object changes direction.
Strength
A force is a push or pull on an object interacting with another. The unit of measure for force is the newton (N.) in the metric system and the pound (lb) in the imperial system.
Momentum
The mass of an object multiplied by its velocity vector.
Sir Isaac Newton
An English mathematician, astronomer and physicist whose "Laws of Motion" explain the physical principles that govern the motion of a rocket as it leaves Earth and travels to other parts of the solar system. Newton also developed theories about gravity when he was only 23 years old.
Newton's First Law
Everything in the universe including human beings, a spaceship, a soccer ball or even a rock, will remain at rest or in motion unless some outside force acts on it. This concept is also known as “inertia”.
Newton's Second Law
This scientific law describes the relationship between the force of an object, its mass and its acceleration. It can be formulated as follows: the force is equal to the mass multiplied by the acceleration (F = ma).
Newton's Third Law
Newton's third law states that in the universe, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Rocket
Usually a tall, cylindrical vehicle with a tapered end that is launched into space using a rocket engine.
Spaceship
Any vehicle that travels in space.
Rocket-engine
A device that ejects mass (usually hot gases from burning fuel) to create thrust to propel an object through the sky or into space. The work of a rocket engine can be explained by Newton's third law: the engine pushes the exhaust gases out and the exhaust pushes the engine and its spacecraft back. A rocket engine does not need to “thrust” on the ground or the atmosphere to function which makes it perfect in the vacuum of space.
thrust
Thrust is the force that moves an aircraft or rocket through air or space.
Rocket-engine solid-material
Rocket engine that uses fuel and oxidizer mixed in a relatively stable solid state.
Rocket motor liquid-propellant
A rocket that has separate tanks for liquid fuel and oxidizer. They are combined during combustion to produce the exhaust and thrust of the rocket.
Fuel
A material used by a rocket engine that produces a chemical reaction resulting in thrust. Kerosene and hydrogen are common liquid fuels for rocket engines.
Fuel
An oxidizer is a type of chemical that rocket fuel needs to burn. Most types of combustion on Earth use oxygen, which is widespread in the atmosphere. However, in space, there is no atmosphere to provide oxygen, which is why rockets carry their own fuel tanks.
Launch
The phase of flight of a rocket where it leaves the surface of the Earth or another celestial body.
Atmospheric re-entry
The phase of flight of a rocket or spacecraft where it returns to Earth or attempts to land on the surface of another celestial body. When a spacecraft passes through a planet's atmosphere, it can be subject to extreme heating and must be provided with a protective heat shield or disintegrate.
Space capsule
A manned spacecraft, often simple in shape, attached to the top of the rocket for launch into space. Space capsules must be fitted with life support systems for their crews and are often designed as atmospheric re-entry vehicles to return the crew safely to Earth.
Space station
A type of spacecraft that is an assembly of habitation and scientific research modules that orbits the Earth or potentially other planets and is intended for long-term space exploration and experimentation._cc781905- 5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_
Solar panel
A device that absorbs sunlight and converts it into electrical energy. Solar panels are often used to provide power to spacecraft that stay close to the Sun, as they provide an efficient source of renewable energy.
Spacewalk
When a human wears their spacesuit and leaves the spacecraft for a short period of work or experimentation in the vacuum of space.
System life support
In space exploration, a life support system is a collection of tools and machines that allow humans to sustain life away from Earth's resources such as air, water, and food._cc781905- 5cde-3194-bb3b-136bad5cf58d_
Spacesuit
A pressurized suit allowing humans to spacewalk. Spacesuits must contain strong life support systems to provide air for breathing, radiation protection and a means to regulate body temperature.
Sas
An airtight room with two doors that allow a person to exit a spacecraft without letting air escape.
Food in Space
Foods specially prepared for manned spaceflight to ensure that they do not cause illness, are relatively easy to prepare, and do not damage spacecraft equipment. Specialized nutritionists also try to design appetizing food, because astronauts need to eat well to have the energy to do their job.
Mission Control
A space mission control center is a facility that manages, from Earth, space flight, whether manned or unmanned. Control centers monitor all aspects of spaceflight, including life support systems, navigation, and communication.
ISRU
In-Situ Resource Utilization, or ISRU, is the use of raw materials from a planet or asteroid to create the elements necessary for exploration and survival in space. For example, transforming water found on the Moon or Mars into fuel (hydrogen) and oxidizer (oxygen) to operate a rocket and thus extend the duration of space travel.
Derivative
A commercial product developed through space research that benefits life on Earth. These products result from the creation of innovative technologies necessary for a unique aspect of space exploration.
