# Presentation: 266183

## Slide 1

## Many rockets have been used to launch vehicles into space. The United States used the Jupiter C to launch its first satellite, called Explorer I, in 1958.

*NASA*

***Optional activity: Listen to the sound of the beeping radio signal that Sputnik made.***
- _[http://www.](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/sputnik/sputnik.wav)__[hq](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/sputnik/sputnik.wav)__[.](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/sputnik/sputnik.wav)__[nasa](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/sputnik/sputnik.wav)__[.](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/sputnik/sputnik.wav)__[gov](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/sputnik/sputnik.wav)__[/office/](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/sputnik/sputnik.wav)__[pao](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/sputnik/sputnik.wav)__[/History/](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/sputnik/sputnik.wav)_
- _[sputnik/sputnik.](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/sputnik/sputnik.wav)__[wav](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/sputnik/sputnik.wav)_

## The Delta is one of the most successful rockets in history. It can be configured in several ways to meet the specifications of a mission.

**The Delta is one of the most successful rockets in history. It can be configured in several ways to meet the specifications of a mission.**

*McREL/Boeing*

**Notes:**
Students should observe the diagram on this slide and describe the differences in the rockets. Ask students about the particular specifications that would require larger rockets. (Students may suggest that greater mass or size of spacecraft may require larger rockets with a greater thrust.) Ask students why it would be beneficial to use the smallest rocket possible. (Students may suggest that smaller rockets would be less expensive and require less fuel than the larger rockets.) At this point, you may want to complete the Student Activity, “Choosing a Launch Vehicle for Genesis,” if you have not already done so.

## The Genesis spacecraft was launched on a Delta 7326 on August 8, 2001.

**The Genesis spacecraft was launched on a Delta 7326 on August 8, 2001.**
**What does the number 7326 mean?**

*NASA*

**Notes:**
This slide asks students to think about what the number 7326 represents. Before moving on to the upcoming slides that detail this, allow students to speculate. Encourage them to write their answers on an index card. Students who have read the student text in advance of this PowerPoint might know all or part of the answer.

## The seven refers to the fact that the first stage has been changed seven times. The three comes from the fact that the first stage has three solid rocket motors.

*McREL/Boeing*

***Optional activity: View the video clip, “The Boeing Delta 7326.”***
***http://www.genesismission.org/***
***educate/scimodule/kriswalsh/***
***Boeing_delta_video.html***

## For Genesis, the first stage burned for four minutes. A liquid-propellant engine that powered the second stage was then fired. The two in 7326 means the second stage was changed twice.

**For Genesis, the first stage burned for four minutes. A liquid-propellant engine that powered the second stage was then fired. The two in 7326 means the second stage was changed twice.**
**The third stage contained a Star 37 motor. The six refers to the type of third stage on the rocket. After the spacecraft had been oriented into the proper trajectory, it was separated from the third stage.**

*McREL/Boeing*

**Notes:**
As you discuss the first paragraph on this slide, point out the middle section of the diagram as being the second stage. Emphasize that there are liquid fuel tanks and guidance electronics beneath the fairings on the second stage.

Point out the third stage at the top, right-hand side of the diagram. Emphasize the fact that the Genesis spacecraft sat on top of the third stage. Ask students to notice the configuration of the spacecraft. (The solar panels are folded.)

Show students Table 1 in the student text. This table lists the first five Discovery missions, the mass of each spacecraft, and the name of each launch vehicle. Based on the launch vehicle numbers, what can you tell about the Delta launch vehicles used by the Discovery missions? (Note: Lunar Prospector did not use a Delta launch vehicle, but an Athena rocket.)

## The Delta rocket was derived from the Thor rockets used by NASA in the 1950s. 

**The first successful launch using a Delta rocket was on August 12, 1960, when it carried the Echo I satellite.**

*NASA*

**Notes:**
Tell students that the Echo I satellite reflected a radio message from President Dwight D. Eisenhower across the United States, demonstrating the feasibility of global radio communications satellites that we depend on so much in the 21st century. Explain that the image on this slide shows technicians as they examine the Echo satellite payload. It was a 26-inch diameter magnesium sphere. At the time, it was the largest satellite lifted into orbit.

## Another notable early launch using the Delta launch vehicle was the Orbiting Solar Observatory, launched on March 7, 1962. This observatory studied the sun above Earth’s atmosphere for the first time.

**Another notable early launch using the Delta launch vehicle was the Orbiting Solar Observatory, launched on March 7, 1962. This observatory studied the sun above Earth’s atmosphere for the first time.**

*Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum*

**Notes:**
Explain that the Orbiting Solar Observatory (OSO) was launched on Delta 8, and that the observatory helped study the sun in the ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Explain that one of the discoveries made by OSO was the sun’s coronal holes.

## Delta 11 launched the Telstar I on July 10, 1962. Telstar I was the first television satellite.

*Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum*

**Notes:**
Delta 11 transmitted a live television program from Maine to stations in England and France. Explain that over the years, the Delta was a “workhorse” for the U.S. Space Program. The Deltas launched the Pioneer space probes that NASA used to explore the planets in our solar system. 

## Over the years, the Delta rockets have become larger and the payload capacity has increased. The last Delta flew In November 1984. The space shuttle was to take all medium and heavy satellites into orbit.

*NASA*

**Notes:**
Ask students why they think the space shuttle caused the Delta program to cease in 1984. (Accept all reasonable responses. Some students might say that the shuttle had a larger payload.  Others may say that the shuttle could take satellites to orbit and astronauts could perform experiments at the same time.)

## After the Challenger explosion in 1986, the more powerful Delta II was produced in 1989 to launch spacecraft into geosynchronous orbit.

*Boeing*

**Notes:**
Ask students what they think the term “geosynchronous” orbit means. Allow students to offer some explanations. You may want to help students break the word down.

geo -  the Earth

synchronous - happening at precisely the same time

Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO)  - an orbit whose period is the same as the rotational rate of the Earth, so that the position of a satellite seems to stay in the same spot over the Earth

## The Delta rocket has been a very reliable delivery system since 1960. The Delta II has launched 93 payloads into orbit with only one failure and one partial success. 

**Notes:**
Have students use the data in this chart to calculate the success rate of the Delta for each decade and the overall success rate. See the Student Activity, “How Do You Spell Success?”

## COUNTDOWN TO LAUNCH 

## Two weeks before launch, the Genesis spacecraft was mated to the third stage of the Delta II rocket.

*NASA*

***Optional activity: Listen to the audio clip, “The Mating Procedure: Spacecraft to Rocket.”***
***http://www.genesismission.org/educate/***
***scimodule/kriswalshsoundfiles/***
***mating_procedure.html***

## The spacecraft in the third stage was transported to the rocket at night moving no more than five miles per hour. Then the fairings were installed.

*NASA*

**Notes:**
The image on this slide shows the Genesis spacecraft being encapsulated inside the fairing. The fairings have doors so that the spacecraft can be accessed. Ask students to think about why it is a good idea to have access to the spacecraft this close to launch. (Students may say that even at this late date there is always the possibility of technical problems that would require access to the spacecraft.)

## Genesis was launched from launch complex 17. The gantry is the highly visible service structure located next to the launch pad. 

*NASA*

**Notes:**
The image on this slide shows the first stage of the Delta II rocket being lifted up the “gantry.” The gantry contains cranes that are used to erect the rocket. On the opposite side of the pad from the gantry is the umbilical tower. This tower has lines that are used to load propellant and other components into the rocket.

## During a successful launch, the temperature of the pad can be over 1900 degrees Celsius. Special heat-resistant surfaces are placed around the equipment for protection. Thousands of gallons of water are poured onto the pad to aid in sound abatement and cooling.

**During a successful launch, the temperature of the pad can be over 1900 degrees Celsius. Special heat-resistant surfaces are placed around the equipment for protection. Thousands of gallons of water are poured onto the pad to aid in sound abatement and cooling.**

***Optional activities:***
***Listen to the audio clip, “Genesis Launch Campaign Overview.”******	******http://www.genesismission.org/educate/******	******scimodule/kriswalshsoundfiles/***
***	******launch_campaign.html***
***View the Genesis launch replay.******	******http://realserver1.jpl.nasa.gov:8080/ramgen/***
***	******Video-GenesisLaunch-010808.rm?mode=compact***

## The spacecraft’s destination was LaGrange point 1 (L1) to engage in solar wind collection.