Some Assembly Required
MISSION

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Consider this topic for your Final Project!

This assignment is in two parts. First, you will need to complete the design challenge, which includes drawing an original innovation for use in the construction of the ISS, and a one-page description of your innovation (a .jpg and a text document). Second, you will need to complete the two station math questions and include them with your text document under the heading Station Math. Don’t forget to show your work.

Design Challenge:

Building the International Space Station will require more EVA hours (over 150!) than have ever been attempted in space before. Design an innovation that would be able to assist astronauts in the construction of the space station.

Keep in mind,

• The laws of physics
• The vacuum of space
• The needs of the crewmembers
• The limitations of the current space suit
• The design of the space station

Your innovation can be used by the crew on an EVA, or by an astronaut inside the shuttle or inside the space station. It can be a remotely-operated or manually controlled piece of equipment, a tool, a process or even software. It can address any part or phase of the construction process from the next mission through assembly complete.

Please make sure you label your drawing carefully. Include with your drawing a one-page description that includes each of the following items:

• Function: The innovation’s overall purpose (what it does) and how it will help in the construction process.
• Control: Whether it is remotely controlled or manually controlled.
• Instructions: How the astronauts will use it.
• Description: An explanation of how each labeled component of the innovation works.
• Training: An explanation of how you would train the astronauts to work with your innovation (e.g., hands-on, mock-up, computer simulations, etc.).

Station Math:

Some Assembly Required (Station Assembly)

Calculate the estimated cost per pound per country for the International Space Station through assembly complete.

Use these websites to determine the total mass of the ISS at assembly complete and the estimated cost for each country to build the ISS. Then calculate the estimated cost per pound to launch material into low-Earth orbit per country. You do not have to include Russia because the Russian economy is in such a state of flux that those numbers are too indeterminate.

• Estimated cost per country from CNN (click on International Partners)
• Updated cost for the U.S.
• Percentage of contribution by country
• Combined weight of the ISS at Assembly Complete

Three station astronauts will need to perform twelve 6-hour EVAs within 4 days to repair a damaged solar panel that was impacted by a micrometeorite on the space station. How much oxygen will be needed to accomplish this?

Each EMU has two oxygen tanks (similar to scuba diving tanks) that work with a carbon dioxide removal system to allow a 6- to 8.5-hour spacewalk. Without the ability to remove carbon dioxide, the oxygen in the tanks would run out more quickly, because much would be tied up in exhaled gas. The amount of oxygen consumed, and carbon dioxide produced by a crewmember is dependent on his/her metabolic rate. (The life support system holds other things that get consumed during a spacewalk as well, including a battery and cooling water.) The suit contains .54 kilograms of oxygen (at a pressure of 5,860.5kilopascals) for one EVA lasting between 6- and 8.5-hours.

Show your work.

Your assignment will be assessed using the following criteria. If your work meets all of the criteria below, it will be considered exemplary. If one or two of the criteria are not met, your work will be considered satisfactory. If more than three criteria are not met your work will be considered unsatisfactory and you will be asked to resubmit it.

Unit 3

Assignments

Content

Grammar

Creativity/Originality

Length

Design Challenge Drawing

Drawing is labeled

Labels are grammatically correct and free from spelling errors.

Innovation is well thought out and is easy to understand.

Drawing is one page.

Design Challenge Description

Description includes all required elements:

• Function
• Control
• Instructions
• Description
• Training

Content is grammatically correct and free from spelling errors.

Innovation description is clear and free of confusing terms.

Description is 1000 words.

Shuttle Math

Answers are both correct

Work is shown

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