NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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Experiment Overview


Brief Summary

The astronaut will discuss in detail how solar cells work and how they provide energy. The activity is videotaped and for use in classroom lectures.

Principal Investigator(s)

Christopher J. Ferguson, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States

Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)

Jonathan Neubauer, Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, United States

Developer(s)

Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States

Sponsoring Space Agency

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Sponsoring Organization

Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD)

Research Benefits

Information Pending

ISS Expedition Duration

April 2006 - September 2006

Expeditions Assigned

13

Previous ISS Missions

Similar education activities have been performed on Space Shuttle and ISS Expeditions.

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Experiment Description

Research Overview

• Education-Solar Cells is designed to encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.



• Students discover a basic understanding of electricity and power and the variables that affect the operation of solar panels.



• Students learn about the power requirements of the International Space Station and how solar arrays supply the necessary power. Students will also discover power requirements of their own homes and how solar power could supply that power.

Description

The Teaching From Space Office at the NASA's Johnson Space Center worked closely with Astronaut Christopher Ferguson, pilot of STS-115 (Atlantis); Lockheed Martin Corporation; Oklahoma State University and the Student Observation Network to provide classroom versions of solar cells and learning activities to NASA Explorer Schools. These activities have been designed to engage students through the STS-115 primary mission objective, deployment of a new solar array on the International Space Station (ISS). The original suggestion for this activity was brought to Teaching From Space by Ferguson.

In his free time during the STS-115 mission, Ferguson will demonstrate how solar cells work in front of a video camera. Ferguson will discuss, in detail, how solar cells provide energy; open circuit voltage; and power measurement with resistors. With the aid of LED lights, a visual demonstration of solar flux will also be performed. Following completion, the video will be edited for use in the classroom.

Lockheed Martin Corporation donated solar cells to this project for educational purposes. Engineering students at Oklahoma State University linked the solar cells together in packs for use in the Space Shuttle demonstration and for distribution to the schools. The NASA Student Observation Network created lessons and activities that will be provided to the NASA Explorer Schools and the Aerospace Education Specialists when teaching this lesson.

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Applications

Space Applications

Education-Solar Cells introduces the next generation of explorers to the environment of space.

Earth Applications

Using a new approach in the classroom to space flight, science, and mathematics will capture the imagination of students. Allowing students to participate in activities that directly involve NASA will inspire them to pursue careers in science and engineering.

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Operations

Operational Requirements

Education-Solar Cells will utilize the solar cell pack assembled by Oklahoma State University students to demonstrate how solar cells work. On the Space Shuttle the demonstration will require video taping of the demonstration.

Operational Protocols

One crewmember, astronaut Chris Ferguson, will tape the demonstration during his free time on the mission. Following the mission, the video is returned to Earth for editing and distribution to NASA Explorer Schools nationwide along with the curriculum developed by the Student Observation Network.

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Results/More Information

There are no results to report at this time. (Evans et al. 2009)

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Related Websites

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Imagery

Dan Hern, OSU Masters Student in Aviation and Space Education, works on solar cell hardware that will fly aboard STS-115. Image courtesy of Oklahoma State University.
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