Interactive and Integrative Lesson Plan

Artificial Satellites
(Date)

I.

II.

Objectives
Cognitive

Psychomotor
Affective

:
:

Integration
A.
B.

III.

Identify the technologies that made space exploration possible.

Enumerate some space probes and their missions.
Explain how satellites are hurled into space and placed in orbit.
Name the importance of satellites.
Name some achievements/problems met in space exploration.
Manipulate computers.
Realize the significance of technology in space exploration.

Value: Proper use of modern technology.

Makabayan: Man and outer space.

Subject Matter
1.

Unit
: Beyond the Solar System
Topic
: Space exploration
Sub-topics : Artificial satellites and problems of space travel.
Reference : iTextbook 6, Science and Health 6, Jessie A. Villegas, pages 246-248
Materials : rubber balloon, string, straw, tape

2.

Concepts/Related Ideas
1. Orbit of Satellites. Sputnik I, the first man-made satellite, was launched in late
1957 by the Soviet Union. This event signaled the beginning of the "Space
Age". Satellites are placed into orbit by firing a multistage booster rocket.
a) The first stage launches the satellite vertically to a desired altitude for a
few seconds. Then a mechanism operates to tilt it slightly from the
vertical. By this time the satellite has passed through the denser
atmosphere and the first-stage rocket fuel is almost consumed. Then the
first-stage rocket detaches itself automatically and falls.
b) The second-stage rocket starts to operate and continues to lift the
satellite higher into space. Once the satellite reaches an altitude of about
320 km, it is free from the drag of the earths atmosphere, and its motion
is governed by the same laws that govern the motion of natural satellites.
c) As the second-stage rocket burns out, the third- stage rocket takes over
to give the satellite the precise velocity to maintain its orbit in that
altitude. Satellites are placed in a variety of altitudes.
d) The time required by a satellite to orbit Earth depends upon its altitude. A
satellite located just above the earths atmosphere at 320 km circles the
earth in 90 minutes. A t a height of about 35,888 km, it circles the earth
once every 24 hours. Such satellite would appear as a stationary satellite
if it revolves in the same direction as the earth rotates.
e) The third stage is the most critical and difficult part of the flight. Only a
precise velocity can give the satellite a circular orbit to travel almost

indefinitely around the earth. If the velocity is too small or the angle is too
low, the satellite will fall back to earth and burn in the atmosphere. If the
velocity is too great, or the angle too high; the satellite will take an
elliptical orbit. So far, all satellites are hurled into an elliptical orbit,
coming closer to the earth during one part of its trip, and speeding further
out into space during another portion of the trip. The point in the orbit at
which the satellite is nearest to the earth is called the perigee; the point
at which it is farthest away is called the apogee.
f)
The advantage of an elliptical orbit is that it can provide information about
the conditions of space at varying distances from the earth. The
disadvantage of an elliptical orbit is that it has a definite life span. This
means that it will remain in orbit only for a certain period depending on its
altitude, and then it plunges to its end. The reason is that every time it
reaches its perigee, it encounters air resistance causing it to lose
altitude. Hence, it dips deeper and deeper into the denser atmosphere,
where it eventually burns up like a falling meteor.
2. Importance of Satellites.
a) A satellite is a valuable tool for research in two basic ways. First, it acts
as a moving observatory that can be tracked by observers on the ground.
Second, it serves as a laboratory carrying instruments that gather and
transmit data about the regions through which it travels.
b) Tracking the satellite means to follow closely its path by means of
electronic signals so that tracking stations on the ground can receive
gravitational, magnetic, electrical, atmospheric, and cosmic data more
accurately than could be observed on the ground. Telescopes, radio
transmitters, infrared sensors on satellites, for example, can relay better
and clearer pictures than earthbound instruments because they are free
from atmospheric obstructions.
c) A promising future for satellites in high and stable orbit is that they can be
used as space stations for launching space ships. Any space ship
launched from such a satellite could easily carry fuel sufficient enough to
reach its destination and return, because it does not need extra fuel to
overcome the earth's gravitational pull and the atmosphere's drag.
3. Problems of Space Travel.
a) Health and Nutrition. Feeding the crew of a space ship and keeping them
healthy can be very difficult because of the many new conditions never
encountered on the earth's surface.
b) The most significant of these new conditions is the feeling of
weightlessness. Everything aboard, unless held down, will float about
inside the ship. Liquids cannot be poured from the containers. Liquid
food and water must be forced directly into the mouth from a closed
container, because liquids in an open container will float out and hangs
suspended in space. Weightlessness can also disturb a person's sense
of balance, which can cause prolonged dizziness.
c) The space traveler must be conditioned to endure the tremendous
acceleration to attain the right escape velocity and orbital velocity, as well
as the tremendous deceleration when reentering the earth's atmosphere.
d) The provision for food, water, and especially oxygen is typically
problematic for long journey. Likewise, the elimination of metabolic
wastes poses a threat to the crew's health.
e) Sunlight is dangerously bright in space. Direct sunlight in space will
damage the eye. The sharp contrast between brightness and darkness
can cause problems in seeing.
f)
The space traveler must be protected against the harmful effects of
radiation in outer space, which is beyond the earth's protective layer of
the atmosphere.

g)

h)

Isolation and Insulation. A space ship must be completely sealed. Any

leak will allow the air to escape explosively fast to cause instant death to
the occupants. The space ship must be protected from the extremes of
temperatures... from the intense heat while cruising through the
atmosphere.... to the excessive loss of heat in the intense cold of space.
Meteoric Particles. Space vehicles must be protected against large
quantities of meteoric particles that are known to exist in outer space.

.
3.

Process Skills
Observing, inferring

IV.

Procedure
A.

Preparatory Activities
Greetings
Checking of attendance
Checking of assignments
Review

1.
1.
2.
3.
4.

What is the first requirement of space exploration?

How are rockets propelled?
What is escape velocity and why must rockets achieve escape velocity before it can be
hurled into space?
How are artificial satellites hurled into space by rockets?
Motivation

2.

Show video clip of Russias Sputnik I

Presentation

3.

Russias Sputnik I signals the beginning of the Space Age. Since then, numerous
rockets and satellites have been launched for various missions. The ultimate goal of these space
explorations is to set up a permanent space satellite where experiments can be performed
experiments that will greatly benefit mankind. In this lesson, we shall discuss how satellites are
hurled into space, their importance, and problems.
4.

Concept Formation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6.
7.
8.

Open your books to page 246.

Satellites are placed into orbit by firing a multistage rocket. What happens during the first
stage?
Before the first stage detaches itself and falls, the second stage rocket starts to operate to
lift the satellite higher. At what height will the satellite be free from the drag of the
atmosphere?
What laws of motion govern the motion of the satellite at this height?
Before the second stage burns out, the third stage begins to take over to give the satellite
the precise velocity to maintain its orbit in a specific altitude. The time of orbit of a
satellite depends upon its altitude. What is the time of orbit of a satellite at an altitude of
about 320 km?
How will a satellite orbit at an altitude of 35,888 km?
Why is the third stage the most critical part of the flight?
What happens to the satellite if the velocity is too small or the angle is too low?

9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
5.

What happens if the velocity is too great or the angle is too high?
So far almost all satellites are placed in an elliptical orbit. What are the perigee and
apogee of satellites in elliptical orbit?
What is the advantage of satellites in elliptical orbit?
Why will a satellite in an elliptical orbit eventually plunge to its end?
Why are satellites important?
Rockets and satellites have made space travel possible. However, there are certain
problems associated with space travel, the first of which is the risk involved in the actual
flight. Take a look at this video clip of the Challenger Incident.
Health and nutrition can be very difficult in space because of unfamiliar conditions, such
as weightlessness. Watch this video clip.
What are the other problems associated with space travel?

Generalizations
How are satellites placed in orbit?
Why are satellites important?
What are the problems associated with space travel?

6.

Evaluation
Question and Answer Test:

7.

1.

How does a multi-stage booster rocket work?

2.

Why is the third stage the most crucial and difficult part of the flight?

3.

How does a satellite achieve a circular orbit?

4.

Why does a satellite in an elliptical orbit have a definite life span?

5.

What is weightlessness?

6.

Enumerate the problems of space travel.

Assignment
Prepare for a chapter test