Every two weeks the astronauts perform a routine
check to record radiation, micrometeoroid, and
thermal data from each of the modules. They also
perform fire drills during this time. A fire in
space hasn’t occurred since 1997. That’s when
the Russian space station Mir's oxygen generator
caught fire. Still, fire drills are crucial for
the astronauts to practice a three-step response
system.
Before the drill an
astronaut connects her handheld to the outside
jack of the storage module and begins to
download information. During this activity you
will analyze the data from several sensors that
had been installed in storage facility A.
You will join a team of specialists here on
Earth and evaluate the data from the astronauts
and make recommendations. You will use an online
fire simulator to examine various fire outcomes
based on different initial conditions. You will
determine:
-
The source/cause of the
fire.
-
Initial conditions in
the room.
-
How the fire progressed
from start to finish.
-
Recommendations to
reduce the chances of another fire.
-
Recommendations for
selection of fire suppression equipment.
You will be chosen to join a team and complete
various tasks:
-
Communications Specialists
(1-2 students)
-
Coordinate the
specialists’ activities.
-
Make sure a steady
flow of information goes to and from
mission control to each team.
-
Relay written and
oral reports.
-
Type report form
information from the Oxygen and Carbon
Dioxide Specialists and other messages
into a chat/data window.
-
Use the
videoconferencing/ computer software and
a microphone to communicate verbally
with Mission Control. Ask and answer
questions to and from Mission Control.
-
Investigation
Specialists (1-2 students)
-
Determine values for
1) room volume, 2) oxygen percentage, 3)
heat release, and 4) materials burning
to input into the fire simulator.
-
Communicate these
values to the Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
Specialists.
-
Oxygen Specialists
(2 students)
-
Calculate the mean,
mode, and median, and create a
box-and-whiskers plot for each run of
the fire simulator.
-
Provide input on
which value is the best measure of
central tendency for the oxygen data.
-
At the end of the
mission, decide which set of conditions
caused the fire.
-
Carbon Dioxide
Specialists (2 students)
-
Calculate the mean,
median, and mode, and create a
box-and-whiskers plot for each run of
the fire simulator.
-
Provide expert
advice on which value is the best
measure of central tendency for the
carbon dioxide data.
-
At the end of the
mission, decide which set of conditions
caused the fire.
Good Luck
Your task requires teamwork, planning, and
clear-headed problem-solving abilities,
especially in high-pressure, urgent situations.
On mission day your math skills will be put to
the test. Practice the math needed for the
mission. Be ready to communicate under pressure
by both writing and speaking. Good luck!
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