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In the mid 1980s NASA began deploying the
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System
(TDRSS) into geostationary orbit. The
purpose of these satellites is to relay data to
ground stations. Because of their high
orbits and their widely spaced station points
over Earth's equator, the TDRSS satellites
serve as relay points for lower satellites and
the Space Shuttle. The system provides
nearly continuous contact with spacecraft as
they orbit Earth. TDRSS satellites relay
data to a receiver at White Sands, New
Mexico. From there, the data travel via
telephone lines, fiber optic cable, or com-mercial
communications satellites to its
destination. Most astrophysics data travels
from White Sands to the NASA Goddard
Space Flight Center in Maryland for
distribution to scientists. Unit Objective
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Teaching Strategy The activities in this unit demonstrate the imaging process of astronomical satellites such as the Hubble Space Telescope. Use the Magic Wand and Persistence of Vision activities together or as alternates. The Magic Wand activity shows how images can be divided and reassembled. The Persis-tence of Vision activity does the same thing, but lets students actively participate by making their own tubes. The two activities on colorPColor Recognition and Colored ShadowsPshow how astronomy satellites collect color data and how that data can be reassembled on the ground. The Binary Number and Paint By The Number activities familiarize students with the process of data transmission to Earth and its reassembly into images. |