- 2 days ago
In this video, we delve into the concept of "directions" in the vast expanse of space and discuss NASA's controversial plans for the International Space Station's deorbit, which could potentially bring dangerous debris to Earth. Explore the science behind space navigation and the consequences of space station disposal.
Category
đŸ˜¹
FunTranscript
00:00Picture yourself floating in the endless expanse of space.
00:04There are no edges or corners, no up or down, left or right.
00:09It's like being lost in a galactic wilderness,
00:12except you can't rely on any natural reference points,
00:15or even on your usual sense of direction to guide you.
00:19And without gravity, you can find yourself tumbling and spinning in all directions,
00:24like being caught in a celestial tumble dryer.
00:27So what do you do?
00:28How do you know which way to go, and how not to get lost?
00:32Well, this isn't a simple question.
00:35First, let's take a trip back to good old planet Earth,
00:38where a direction is something we often take for granted.
00:41Imagine you're hiking through a dense forest.
00:44You're surrounded by towering trees, mossy rocks, and chirping birds.
00:49But there are no clear paths or road signs to guide you.
00:52So what should you do?
00:54The first thing that comes to mind is a compass, right?
00:57A small magical device that always knows where the north is,
01:01no matter where you are on the planet.
01:03All thanks to a tiny magnet inside.
01:06It feels the pull of Earth's magnetic field,
01:09which covers our planet like a cozy blanket.
01:11And this field is pulling the arrow towards the planet's north pole.
01:16Now, when you know where the north is, you can determine east, west, and south.
01:21At this point, you can navigate through the wilderness like a seasoned explorer.
01:26This is what we call a reference point.
01:29And it's not just about finding your way through the forest.
01:33Think about how you use reference points in your daily life,
01:36giving and following directions on a map,
01:39using a GPS navigation system,
01:41or even just telling someone which way to turn at the street corner.
01:45Even in the skies, we have them, using the water.
01:49Let's say you're embarking on a thrilling hot air balloon adventure.
01:53As soon as you rise into the sky,
01:55you're greeted by breathtaking views of rolling landscapes and glittering oceans.
02:00But how do you know how high you are?
02:04That's where sea level comes into play.
02:06You've probably heard phrases like above sea level or below sea level in your daily life.
02:12It's the average level of the world's oceans,
02:15a universal reference that acts as the starting point for measuring heights and depths.
02:21As you ascend in your hot air balloon,
02:23you can use instruments like altimeters to measure your altitude relative to sea level.
02:28It's like a ruler that tells you how far you've climbed into the sky.
02:32And it's not just for hot air balloon adventures.
02:36Altitude relative to sea level is used in various ways,
02:39from aviation to meteorology and to geography.
02:44It helps us understand and describe the height of mountains and the depths of oceans,
02:49the elevation of cities, and even the flight paths of airplanes.
02:54We're used to having points of reference on Earth,
02:57but when we go higher, things are getting much more complicated.
03:01In space, there are no natural landmarks,
03:04no compasses, and no universal altimeters.
03:08Without any fixed points of reference,
03:10determining direction becomes a real challenge.
03:13Even the stars, which are often used for navigation on Earth,
03:17can be misleading in space.
03:19On Earth, stars appear to move in a fixed pattern,
03:22due to the rotation of our planet.
03:24But in space, they seem to shift and change position as you travel.
03:30So, what do we do?
03:32Well, we need some advanced technology and precise calculations.
03:37Our intrepid spacecraft have clever ways to navigate the galaxy's seas.
03:43One of the most amazing tools spacecraft use for navigation is star trackers.
03:49It's like a cosmic GPS.
03:51They're the cameras that scan the night sky,
03:54capturing images of stars and using them as reference points.
03:58Just like we use street signs to find our way in a new city,
04:02spacecraft use the position of stars
04:04to determine their orientation and direction in space.
04:09Spacecraft can also use other celestial objects as navigation aids.
04:13For example, they might use planets, moons, or even asteroids
04:17to determine their position and direction.
04:21They create their own course based on these celestial bodies.
04:25For example, a course to fly from Mercury to Mars through Venus.
04:30It's like playing cosmic connect-the-dots with planets and moons.
04:35But it's not just about finding their way.
04:38Spacecraft also use these navigation methods to make precise maneuvers,
04:42like entering orbit around a planet or landing on a moon.
04:47They use complex calculations and precise measurements
04:50to determine their altitude, speed, and trajectory,
04:54using the positions of celestial objects as a compass.
04:57It's like a dance, where the spacecraft follows the cues
05:01to execute intricate maneuvers in the vastness of space.
05:06Another clever gadget is the gyroscope.
05:09It's like a space compass.
05:11Gyroscopes are incredibly sensitive
05:13and can detect even the slightest changes in orientation.
05:17They help spacecraft to stay stable,
05:19keeping them on the right track.
05:22Spacecraft also use cameras and lasers
05:25to capture images and measure distances to nearby objects,
05:29such as planets, moons, or asteroids.
05:32And don't forget about all the fancy software and algorithms.
05:36Inside each spacecraft,
05:38there's a genius computer brain that solves complex equations
05:42and makes decisions where to fly next.
05:45But that's us talking about directions.
05:48Now, what about the altitude?
05:51In space, altitude takes on a whole new meaning.
05:54It's like trying to measure the height of a skyscraper
05:57with no ground floor.
05:59So this cosmic conundrum requires some out-of-this-world creativity.
06:04Usually, it's measured relative to the position of a spacecraft or satellite.
06:09If you're floating near a moon or some other celestial body
06:12and you want to know how high or low you are,
06:15you could measure your distance from this body's surface.
06:18For example, astronauts on the International Space Station
06:22might refer to their altitude as the distance above the Earth's surface,
06:26even though they're far within our atmosphere.
06:30And if the celestial body doesn't have a solid surface,
06:33like Jupiter, which is basically a huge ball of gas,
06:37oh well, then we'd just have to pray.
06:40Another method is to measure altitude relative to the spacecraft's orbit.
06:44You could measure your distance from your orbit's center or plane
06:48and use that as a reference point.
06:51These methods might sound complex,
06:53but they're the easiest way to navigate and operate in space.
06:58They allow spacecraft to precisely control their altitude, speed, and trajectory.
07:03With these methods, they can even perform maneuvers like docking, landing, or rendezvousing.
07:10Space agencies and missions also act like interstellar traffic controllers.
07:15They have to ensure that spacecraft from different nations and organizations
07:20don't crash into each other.
07:22To keep things organized, they use standardized systems and conventions,
07:26just like how we use road signs and traffic rules on Earth.
07:30In addition to standardized systems,
07:33space agencies and missions also use conventions
07:36for specifying direction and orientation in space.
07:39For example, the right-hand rule.
07:42It's like a secret handshake for understanding the direction of things
07:46in physics and engineering.
07:48Imagine you have a magical glove
07:51that can tell you which way things will go in certain situations.
07:55Let's say this glove is on your right hand.
07:57Now, stick out your thumb just like you're giving a thumbs up.
08:01Your thumb represents the direction of the force
08:04or the push or pull of something.
08:06Next, curl your fingers around your thumb
08:09as if you're making a fist.
08:10Your fingers now represent the direction of a magnetic field
08:13or the rotation of something.
08:16Awesome!
08:17And now, for the grand finale.
08:19Point your index finger straight out
08:21like you're pretending to shoot a laser beam.
08:23Your index finger now represents the direction of motion
08:27or current flow.
08:29And there you have it.
08:30The right-hand rule is all about using your magical glove
08:33to connect the direction of force, thumb,
08:36magnetic field or rotation, fingers,
08:38and motion or current flow, index finger.
08:42It's a fun and handy trick
08:43that helps to solve complex problems in physics and engineering,
08:47including navigation.
08:49Space exploration is an adventure
08:51that challenges our perception of direction and orientation,
08:55making us realize just how much we rely on our home planet.
08:59Who knows what other crazy ways await us in the future?
09:03For example, quantum navigation
09:05or when we'll create warp speeds like in Star Trek.
09:09Methods that would be not only practical,
09:11but also awe-inspiring.
09:13Let's wait and see.
09:16On November 2, 2000,
09:19the first crew of astronauts arrived
09:21at the International Space Station.
09:23Almost 25 years have passed
09:25and the ISS still remains
09:27one of the most outstanding projects
09:29created by humanity.
09:31During all this time,
09:32280 astronauts from 23 countries
09:35have visited the station.
09:37This place has become a floating laboratory
09:39for space research
09:40where people from all over the world
09:42come together to explore our universe.
09:45The station remains a source of inspiration
09:47for writers and movie directors.
09:49This is not only one of the most important parts
09:52of the scientific field of humankind,
09:54but also an important attribute of pop culture.
09:57The station makes one circle around Earth every 90 minutes,
10:00and very soon,
10:02one of its next circles will become the last one.
10:05NASA is going to destroy the ISS.
10:08Space and science fiction fans may feel sad at this moment,
10:12but there are good reasons for such a difficult decision.
10:15The ISS, like any physical object,
10:18is not eternal,
10:19especially in the conditions of outer space.
10:22Yes, there's no oxygen, atmosphere,
10:25oxidation of materials and air pressure,
10:27but the ISS is moving at an altitude
10:30of about 260 miles above the Earth's surface
10:33at a speed of 17,900 miles per hour,
10:38which is almost 20 times faster than the speed of sound.
10:42Also, the space around the planet
10:44is filled with debris consisting of broken satellites.
10:47And don't forget about stardust
10:49and tiny pieces of meteorites.
10:51What if something crashes into the station
10:53and blows it to pieces?
10:55Yeah, NASA is tracking the largest pieces of debris,
10:58but there are more and more of them every year.
11:02Under such conditions,
11:03the station can't serve us forever.
11:05The parts are wearing out
11:06and the station fasteners are becoming weaker
11:09and require frequent repairs.
11:11The station was supposed to only last 15 years,
11:14but it will eventually last twice as long.
11:17In 2030, astronauts will leave the ISS
11:20and then it will be destroyed.
11:22But how can this be done,
11:24given the size of this object?
11:26It weighs 430 tons
11:29and is the size of a football field.
11:32It is the largest object after the moon
11:34that flies around our planet.
11:36People made 42 launches into space
11:39to construct this gigantic structure.
11:41Given its size and close location to Earth,
11:44destroying the station is a big risk.
11:47Just imagine it disintegrating
11:49into hundreds and thousands of fragments
11:51and falling to the surface of our planet.
11:54Yes, some of these chunks will burn up in the atmosphere,
11:57others will fall into the water,
11:59but some large parts can fall on cities.
12:02It will be a devastating meteor shower.
12:05This option is too dangerous,
12:07but this is exactly what NASA is about to do.
12:10The disposal of the station
12:12will probably be a more complex operation
12:15than its creation.
12:19Of course, scientists have considered other options
12:23besides the destruction.
12:24For example,
12:26we could return all the astronauts to Earth
12:28and then send the station to a higher orbit
12:30so that it would fly there forever.
12:32However,
12:33such an operation would be too expensive.
12:36In addition,
12:38changing the orbit
12:39might not save the station from collapsing.
12:41We definitely don't need a huge piece of metal
12:44that could fall apart at any moment over our heads.
12:47That's why destroying the station
12:49is the only option.
12:52To destroy the station,
12:54scientists plan to send it to a lower Earth orbit,
12:57then carry it through the atmosphere
12:59where some parts of the station will burn,
13:01and after that,
13:02submerge the station in a remote part of the ocean
13:05where ships don't sail
13:06and fish don't swim.
13:08By the way,
13:09this place is called Point Nemo
13:11and it's located in the South Pacific Ocean.
13:14This is the farthest point from land.
13:17For many years,
13:18people have been dumping space debris
13:20and failed satellites there.
13:21It's considered one of the most lifeless
13:24and loneliest places on Earth.
13:26NASA plans to drop the ISS there,
13:29but this requires very precise calculations and control.
13:33The operation can't be fulfilled
13:35without a special space tug,
13:37and this unique machine
13:38will be invented by Elon Musk's SpaceX company.
13:42Musk signed an $845 million contract with NASA.
13:47According to it,
13:48the station should be safely destroyed by 2031.
13:52And that's how this cinematic operation
13:54is going to happen.
13:56The device that will lower the ISS to Earth
13:59will be built according to the design
14:01of the SpaceX Dragon ship capsule.
14:04Scientists plan to calculate the details
14:06of the station's flight trajectory,
14:08all angles of incidence,
14:09and the speed of movement.
14:11No mistake can be made,
14:13as any miscalculation will lead to disaster.
14:16Our planet is a giant object
14:18with a powerful gravitational force
14:20that attracts other objects to itself.
14:23The ISS uses thrusters to resist this attraction
14:26and stay at the same height.
14:27So, first of all,
14:29the station will need to reduce its resistance.
14:32If necessary,
14:34it can use the engines to adjust the route.
14:36From an altitude of 260 miles,
14:39the station will descend into an orbit
14:41of 205 miles above Earth.
14:44After that,
14:45SpaceX will launch its space tug.
14:46All this will happen about a year
14:49before the scheduled date of destruction.
14:51During this time,
14:52the astronauts will fold up scientific equipment,
14:55say goodbye to the station,
14:56and return home.
14:58This sad moment will be recorded on camera
15:00and posted on the internet.
15:03After that,
15:03the whole planet will watch
15:05the dramatic finale of the ISS.
15:08The space tug will dock with the station
15:11and transport it to the lowest point of the orbit,
15:13approximately 90 miles above the surface.
15:17There,
15:17the station will experience huge air resistance.
15:20It will become increasingly difficult
15:22to control the fall.
15:24The tug must be equipped
15:26with powerful rocket engines
15:27to correct the flight.
15:29Scientists will control the shuttle,
15:31calculating the trajectory of the fall.
15:33Then,
15:34SpaceX's device will begin
15:35to push the station down.
15:38The giant space object
15:39will pass through the thickest
15:41and most dangerous layers of the atmosphere.
15:43It will burn down the station,
15:45which will be falling apart by that time.
15:47This will be a mesmerizing fire show.
15:51Some parts will burn up in the air,
15:53others will pass through the barrier.
15:55At high speed,
15:56incandescent parts will collide
15:57with the surface of the Pacific Ocean.
16:01Millions of people will be watching
16:02the last flight of the space legend
16:04on the screens of their gadgets and TVs.
16:07The water will be getting closer,
16:08and boom!
16:10Pieces of those station will crash into the water
16:13with a deafening noise.
16:15Many smaller fragments will fall nearby.
16:17The entire station will cool down quickly
16:20and sink to the ocean floor.
16:21Mission completed!
16:23But the history of the station
16:25won't be over.
16:28Point Nemo is 2,700 miles away
16:32from the nearest land in any direction.
16:34But the best way to get to it
16:36is from Easter Island, Chile.
16:39What if rich people from all over the world
16:43flew to Chile
16:43to then travel to Point Nemo?
16:46Just imagine,
16:47covering thousands of miles
16:49just to get to the ISS crash site.
16:51People will descend in bathyscaps
16:53to the ocean floor
16:54and take out the wreckage of the station.
16:57Someone might start selling them.
16:59Someone will keep them at home
17:00as part of a collection.
17:02Perhaps NASA will retrieve
17:03some modules of the station
17:05to put them in a museum.
17:07But what will happen
17:08once scientists finally get rid of the ISS?
17:12The space laboratory is used
17:14for research in outer space.
17:15After its destruction,
17:17research will continue,
17:18but on a grander scale.
17:21Humanity has to explore Mars, remember?
17:23For such an important mission,
17:25it's necessary to prepare astronauts
17:27in conditions close to those
17:29on the Red Planet.
17:30The Moon is the perfect place.
17:33NASA is conducting the Artemis mission.
17:35We'll explore the lunar surface
17:37and we will go on a long journey
17:39to Mars from there.
17:41At the end of 2022,
17:43NASA launched a probe
17:44that flew beyond the Moon.
17:46The next flight will be launched
17:47with people on board.
17:48The third flight
17:49will be the first human outing
17:51on the Moon since 1972.
17:54Gradually, step by step,
17:56the agency plans to land
17:58several astronauts
17:59and space station modules
18:00on the surface of the Moon.
18:02They will build large research bases
18:04where they will prepare
18:05for the first ever human flight to Mars.
18:08By the way,
18:09would you agree to go on
18:10a dangerous journey
18:11to the Red Planet?
18:12Write your answers in the comments.
18:14to the Space Station.
18:14is a new update.
Comments