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STEAM – WEEK 5 November 8th
SATELLITES
C1/C2/C3:
Read book about satellites from library
Taken from http://www.space.com/24839-satellites.html
Ask the class; What is a satellite?
A satellite is an object in space that orbits or circles around a bigger object.
Demonstrate a satellite by having an older child stand in place and have a younger child orbit
around them. Demonstrate different orbits by adding another younger child walking around
the same stationary child in a larger circle.
Define two types of satellites.
There are two kinds of satellites: natural (such as the moon orbiting the Earth) or artificial (such
as the International Space Station orbiting the Earth).
Remember back when we talked about the solar system a few weeks ago.
Quick recap on Solar System: Remember the solar system is like the Earth’s neighborhood.
Ask the class who remembers the Earth’s neighbors/other planets in the solar system? What is
their order with respect to distance from the sun? (4 inner smaller planets that are rocky;
Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars and 4 outer planets that are gas giants; Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus,
and Neptune)
There are dozens upon dozens of natural satellites in the solar system, with almost every planet
having at least one moon. Saturn, for example, has at least 53 natural satellites, and one
artificial one — the Cassini spacecraft, which is exploring the ringed planet and its moons.
Whereas, the Earth has one natural satellite (the moon) and lots of artificial satellites (about
500,000). Only a small portion of these artificial satellites are in use. The rest is just junk
floating around and it’s all tracked by scientists on earth.
Show pictures of artificial satellites
(Google Satellites and show images)
Discuss how even though they all look similar; they all have different functions.
Ask the class; why would anyone want to put a satellite in space?
Imaging (taking pictures), Communication, Sat TV, Sat Radio, Weather Monitoring, GPS
Dish Network – Satellite TV
C1:
Color picture of satellite and name it. What will your satellite do?
http://coloringbookillustrator.blogspot.com/2013/08/satellite-orbiting-earth-coloringpage.html
C2:
Make their own satellite. Draw satellite as shown in the link below.
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/learn-to-draw-space-pictures
Why do they have to be in space? Why can’t all this stuff be done from Earth?
Discuss how mountains and buildings make it hard to take pictures and make it hard for signals
to pass through. Use loosing radio stations as you travel to define concept.
There are 3 main groups of satellites. Fixed satellite services handle billions of voice, data, and
video transmissions. Mobile satellite systems used for navigation (GPS) and to connect remote
ships, aircraft, etc. Scientific research satellites for meteorological data, land survey images, and
other scientific research functions.
What do satellites do?
Draw a picture on the board showing satellite functionality (uplink, downlink). Draw a picture of
Satellite TV or XM Radio function.
C3:
Design your own satellite on paper and describe how it works. You can even give it a name (XM
satellites – Rock and Roll, Digital Globe Satellites – Quickbird, GeoEye)
Video on how a satellite is designed:
http://nationalgeographic.org/media/so-you-want-build-satellite/
C3:
Design your own satellite on paper and decide how you’re going to make it and what materials
will be needed. Review your design with Ms. Beckman and Ms. Joi. Satellite will be constructed
next week.
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/build-a-spacecraft/en/
Ask class; How do satellites go into orbit?
Via rockets… Most satellites in orbit today were launched by a Delta II ELV
Show pictures of Satellites and describe major components;
Antennas - Transmitters/Receivers for communication
Thrusters to maneuver into proper orbit/location and adjust as it drifts
Solar Arrays
Payload - onboard computer system and sensors that provide information
Power System
Battery
Show BrainPop video clip on satellites
Supplies Needed:
Art Craft
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/stained-glass-earth/en/