National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Educational Product

Educators Grades K–4

Educational Topic

From Sunlight to Power: International Space

Station Solar Arrays

ET-1998-07-003-HQ From Sunlight to Power 

Objective 

The students will construct and use a simple solar collection device to demonstrate the generation of heat created by the light of the Sun.

Science Standards

Science as Inquiry

Physical Science

Light, heat, electricity, and magnetism

Earth and Space Science

Objects in the sky

Math Standards

Problem Solving

Communication

Reasoning

Measurement

Estimation

Materials (for each team of two)

4 paper cups, unwaxed

White paper

Aluminum foil

Black paper

Plastic wrap

Scissors

Newspaper

Tape

Apple slices

2 thermometers

Background Information

The International Space Station will be the largest orbiting

spacecraft in history. The space agencies of the United

States, Russia, Japan, Europe, and Canada are working

together to build what can only be called “A New Star on the

Horizon.” The dimensions are staggering. Its wingspan will be

approximately 110 meters and its length 80 meters. It will

weigh almost a million pounds and orbit at an average altitude

of 220 nautical miles. It will hold a crew of three during the

construction phase and up to seven when the Space Station

is complete.

Worldwide research in biology, chemistry, physics, and other

sciences will be conducted in the Space Station’s six laboratories. This will open the door to future long-duration human

exploration of the solar system, as well as provide continuous

benefits to science, industry, and medicine on Earth.

Power will be generated for the International Space Station by

utilizing the energy of the Sun. The Sun’s energy will be

absorbed by eight solar arrays. These eight solar arrays make

up the four large, flexible photovoltaic (photo: light; voltaic:

producing electricity) modules. Modules are made up of silicon-based photovoltaic cells, which generate small currents of

electricity when exposed to energy from the Sun. These modules will produce approximately 240 kilowatts of power, which

is enough to run 60 average-sized homes.

The power obtained from the solar arrays will be distributed in

several ways. Half of the power obtained will charge the Space

Station’s batteries. The batteries are used when the Space

Station is not in sunlight. They are also used when more power

is needed for experiments and research. The other half of the

power produced will go directly to the laboratories and modules, or rooms, of the Space Station. This half of the power

will also run the life support systems, which includes the air

the astronauts will breath, the food systems, and the temperature controls, to name a few.

Living and working in space is an exciting adventure. Even the

way the International Space Station will receive its electricity is

wondrous. Better yet, the same method that will be used for

producing electricity on the International Space Station is also

being used in homes and businesses all over the world.

Communications satellites that send television signals around

the world also use solar cells. From toys to lights for the backyard, a variety of products are available that use solar cells to

produce their own power.

Solar Cooker Activity 

Have a class conversation about the use of electricity. List

how electricity is used in homes and at school. Make a second

list of ideas about how astronauts use electricity when they

are in space. Are the lists similar? How are they different?

Identify how we get electricity on Earth. Can the astronauts on

the International Space Station get their power the same way?

This activity is a demonstration using the energy from the Sun.

It does not produce electricity.
ET-1998-07-003-HQ From Sunlight to Power 

Step 1: Line the inside of two cups with black paper and place

a slice of apple in each one.

Step 2: Cover the tops of the two cups with plastic wrap.

Step 3: Make two large cones: one with white paper lined

inside with aluminum foil, the other with plain white paper.

Step 4: Wrap each cone around a cup with the apple slices inside.

Step 5: Cover the bottom of each cup and cone with another

cup to hold it in place.

Step 6: Crumple newspaper around the bases of the outside

cups. This serves as an insulator.

Step 7: Aim the cookers at the Sun.

Step 8: Lower thermometers into the cones. Record temperatures.

Step 9: Cook until the apples are done.

Note: This experiment takes an estimated 2–4 hours to complete and should be conducted on a warm, sunny day.

Cone

Cup With

Apple Slice

Cup to Hold It

All Together

Newspaper

Discussion:

1. Taste the apples from each cooker. Which one of the cookers did the better job?

2. Which cooker generated heat faster? 

3. How do the cookers work like the solar arrays on the

International Space Station? 

4. Why did you use aluminum foil in your cooker? (to reflect

and concentrate heat)

Assessment:

1. Have the students draw a diagram of their solar cooker.

2. Write a list of instructions for making a solar cooker.

Extensions:

1. Graph the temperature changes as they occur over a period

of time.

2. Design and build a model of the International Space Station

solar arrays using materials that will actually conduct heat.

3. Design and build a large-scale solar cooker.

4. Make a list of how we can conserve energy on Earth and on

the International Space Station.

5. Solar cells can be found in certain toys and yard lights.

These can be used in demonstrations. 

For more information about the International Space Station,

please visit: http://station.nasa.gov

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http://ehb2.gsfc.nasa.gov/edcats/educational_topic

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improving NASA educational materials. Thank you.

Solar Array

Solar Array