ACTIVITY3

MISSION CONTROL: ANAPPLICATION OF ROTATIONAL MOTION AND GEOMETRY

NOTES TO THE TEACHER

Level and Course:	Grades 9 and up/ Geometry,Earth Science, Physics, Physical Science.
Time Required:	One class period.
Objectives:	Students will use a geometrical model to calculate contact time between a satellite and a ground station. They will also draw a scale model of the FUSE orbit and Earth and use it to check their calculation.
Prerequisites:	Geometry of circles and spheres, angle measure, scale, ratio and proportion.
Materials:	Student activity sheet, scientific calculator, protractor, compass, and paper.
Optional Demonstration Materials:	Globe or large ball and flashlight.
Procedures: (For in-class group work)	1. After students have read the first two paragraphs of the activity sheet, ask why the satellite can not make constant contact with the ground station. 2. Model Figure 1 on the activity sheet with the globe and flashlight. Point out that the size of the illuminated area changes with the distance of the light above the globe. Ask students how far from the surface of the globe the flashlight should be held to mimic a real satellite in orbit such as the Space Shuttle or FUSE. 3. Have students complete the activity. Students who have not learned triangle trigonometry should omit question 4. 4. Lead a discussion evaluating the validity of the calculation. 5. Assign an extension activity as classwork or homework, if possible.
Discussion:	This activity can be used as either a science or a mathematics lesson. For a science class, the most valuable part of the lesson is drawing the scale diagram. In either case, the scale diagram will be surprising to most students, considering that FUSE’s orbit is higher than the space shuttle. Satellites are much closer to the Earth's surface than most people visualize and the Earth's atmosphere forms a much thinner covering than most people imagine. All students will find using the commercial software fascinating. In fact, this software is more sophisticated than that used for the Apollo missions. The extensions could also be used as a science club project.

Level and Course:

Grades 9 and up/ Geometry,Earth Science, Physics, Physical Science.

Time Required:

One class period.

Objectives:

Students will use a geometrical model to calculate contact time between a satellite and a ground station. They will also draw a scale model of the FUSE orbit and Earth and use it to check their calculation.

Prerequisites:

Geometry of circles and spheres, angle measure, scale, ratio and proportion.

Materials:

Student activity sheet, scientific calculator, protractor, compass, and paper.

Optional Demonstration Materials:

Globe or large ball and flashlight.

Procedures:
(For in-class group work)

1. After students have read the first two paragraphs of the activity sheet, ask why the satellite can not make constant contact with the ground station.

2. Model Figure 1 on the activity sheet with the globe and flashlight. Point out that the size of the illuminated area changes with the distance of the light above the globe. Ask students how far from the surface of the globe the flashlight should be held to mimic a real satellite in orbit such as the Space Shuttle or FUSE.

3. Have students complete the activity. Students who have not learned triangle trigonometry should omit question 4.

4. Lead a discussion evaluating the validity of the calculation.

5. Assign an extension activity as classwork or homework, if possible.

Discussion:

This activity can be used as either a science or a mathematics lesson. For a science class, the most valuable part of the lesson is drawing the scale diagram. In either case, the scale diagram will be surprising to most students, considering that FUSE’s orbit is higher than the space shuttle. Satellites are much closer to the Earth's surface than most people visualize and the Earth's atmosphere forms a much thinner covering than most people imagine. All students will find using the commercial software fascinating. In fact, this software is more sophisticated than that used for the Apollo missions. The extensions could also be used as a science club project.

STUDENT ACTIVITY

Solutions to the Student Activity

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