Viewing page 52 of 82

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

(<= 40 min w/film)

[talk about one aspect of the space program (one that will be a major part of NASA's program in the 1990's)-- observing the earth from space.

use another aspect of the space program -- space shuttle program- to give you an idea of what kind of observations can be made.

then talk briefly about NASA's observing program for the 1990's

[Grand Oasis in great vastness of space] (rare eloquence)
[not view from shuttle] view the apollo 11 astronauts had standing on the surface of the moon. Remind you that space program has had a huge impact on the way that we view the earth, and what we know about our own planet.

during the >20 years since Apollo, Scientists have come to appreciate that the Earth is a complex system of interacting components. The oceans, atmosphere, earth's interior and biosphere are interact and are coupled together--we can't understand any one in isolation...we have to study them as a system.

furthermore, civilization's activities over the last several decades have begun to have a significant effect. We are an active and influential component of the system.

The study of the earth as a system requires a global perspective--a perspective we can get from earth orbit

use shuttle photo to illustrate perspective

shuttle history
1st launch, STS-7 crew, Pam-D, EVA, station

shuttle photos (not sci. data, but give an idea of what can be seen)
first, familiarize you with the view:
- Florida peninsula. 200-300 km (lower than satellites; 28/57)