Introduction:
This episode of the Johns Hopkins Science Review explores the third and final part of the series on man’s conquest of space. It discusses the possibilities of space travel, the design of rockets for space exploration, and the construction and uses of space stations.

Rockets for Space Travel:
The three-stage rocket is described as the primary vehicle for space travel. This rocket consists of three sections that are jettisoned sequentially as the rocket gains speed and altitude. The first stage provides the initial thrust, the second stage takes over after the first stage is discarded, and the third stage propels the rocket into space.

Space Stations:
A space station, located 1,075 miles above Earth, is envisioned as a critical component of space exploration. This station will serve as a hub for various activities, including housing astronauts, conducting experiments, and assembling spacecraft for further missions.

Guest Speaker:
The episode features a renowned rocket engineer as the guest speaker. This expert provides insights into the design, construction, and potential uses of space stations.

Building the Space Station:
The construction of the space station involves assembling prefabricated modules in space. These modules are transported to the station using rockets, and astronauts work to connect them together. The station is designed to be modular, allowing for future expansion and modification.

Uses of the Space Station:
The space station serves as a platform for various scientific and technological endeavors. It can be used for conducting experiments in zero gravity, observing Earth from a unique vantage point, and assembling and servicing spacecraft. Additionally, the station can serve as a base for missions to the moon and other celestial bodies.

Conclusion:
The episode concludes by highlighting the potential of space exploration and the importance of international collaboration in achieving this goal. It emphasizes the need for continued research and development to pave the way for future space missions.

Space Station Design:
The space station will resemble a gyroscope, with a circular wheel shape and a living and working area on the outer rim. It will rotate continuously to create centrifugal acceleration that replaces gravity, with a rotation speed of once every 22 seconds. The station will be constructed from nylon-reinforced plastic sections that are shipped collapsed and assembled in orbit, then inflated like a tire.

Protection from Meteors:
An outer shell of sheet metal, called the meteor bumper, will protect the station from impacts by small meteors and micrometeoric dust. The space between the outer shell and the inner lining will absorb the shock of impacts and prevent punctures that could cause a vacuum and crush the occupants.

Portholes and Communication:
Portholes covered with special glass will filter harmful ultraviolet rays and allow for observation of the Earth and space. Antennas will be installed at the top of the hub to receive radio messages and television pictures from Earth.

Safety and Temperature Control:
Safety hooks will be placed on the outside of the station for astronauts to attach safety lines and prevent floating away. Blackened areas on the station’s surface will absorb heat from the sun and transmit it inside, while also serving as coolers to radiate excess heat into space. A central circulation system will distribute temperature-controlled air throughout the station.

Construction Process:
Rockets will transport men and materials to the 1,075-mile orbit, where workmen in pressurized suits will assemble the station piece by piece in the weightless environment. A steady stream of supply ships will bring additional parts and sections to expand the station until it is complete.

Interior of the Space Station:
A space jeep will be used to transport astronauts from the transport to the station. Storage rooms and equipment necessary for operating the station will be located near the entrance. An astronomical observatory will be set up to study planets, nebulae, and other celestial phenomena. A weather bureau unit will monitor weather patterns over the entire Earth and send back reports every two hours. Television screens will display live images of Earth’s surface as the station orbits the planet.

Space Station: A Gateway to Exploration:
The speaker takes us on a tour of a futuristic space station with electronic equipment, laboratories, and circular stairs. This space station will serve as an activity base and a launchpad for moon missions.

Moon Ship Design:
The moon ship, designed by Dr. Wernher von Braun, is a functional spacecraft, prioritizing efficiency over aesthetics. The ship features a spherical crew module, propellant containers, and rocket motors for propulsion and control.

Journey to the Moon:
The moon ship embarks on a five-day elliptical flight to the moon, intercepting the moon’s orbit. To land on the moon, the ship undergoes a turnaround maneuver and descends tail first. Instruments measure altitude and rate of descent, controlling the thrust to ensure a smooth landing.

Cargo Ship and Payload:
One type of moon ship is designed for a one-way flight, carrying cargo instead of inner tanks. This allows for substantial payload delivery to the moon.

Space Station Assembly:
Rockets carrying moon ship parts arrive and dock with the space station. Workmen assemble the parts in a predetermined order, resembling a giant jigsaw puzzle.

Inside the Moon Ship:
The interior of the moon ship features specialized equipment and instruments for the crew. Crew members work and eat in reclining positions, strapped to their seats to prevent floating away. Pressurized suits and airlocks are used for spacewalks during the long journey.

Historic Takeoff and Moon Landing:
The moon ships, loaded and ready, take off from the space station, gaining speed and leaving Earth’s orbit. Empty fuel tanks are jettisoned, and flywheels are set in motion to control the ship’s orientation. Rocket motors brake the ship as it approaches the moon’s surface, leading to a gentle landing.

Return from the Moon:
After exploring the moon, the passenger ships return to the space station’s orbit. Dr. Wernher von Braun explains the return path, involving a rocket blast to slow the ship’s speed. The ship enters Earth’s atmosphere, experiences aerodynamic drag, and glides half around the Earth. It spirals down from an altitude of 15 miles and lands safely on a landing gear.

Benefits of Space Exploration:
Space exploration brings new benefits through scientific research and curiosity. The ultimate goal is to improve human lives and create a better and happier existence.

The Pioneering Spirit and New Frontiers:
The speaker highlights that despite some people’s belief that there are no new frontiers to conquer, astronautical engineers and astrophysicists are working to cross new frontiers in space, reaching hundreds and thousands of miles above us.

Human Space Travel and Lunar Exploration:
The speaker envisions a day when humans will carefully enter a rocket and be catapulted into space to rendezvous with a space station. From this station, a moonship will take off and travel to the moon, allowing us to see and photograph the other side of the moon, which has never been seen by humans.

The Importance of Space Stations:
The space station, located 1,075 miles above Earth, will serve as a laboratory for scientists to study the universe and Earth’s atmosphere. By observing the entire face of the Earth, scientists will gain valuable insights into weather patterns and other phenomena.

The Question of Machine Thinking:
The speaker introduces the topic of electronic brains, or computers, and their remarkable abilities to solve mathematical problems at incredible speeds and play chess with humans. The question posed is whether these machines can actually think for themselves, prompting an exploration into the capabilities and limitations of these automatic computers.

Exploring the Capabilities of Computers:
Next week’s program will feature a demonstration of one of these high-speed, electronic, automatic computers. An inventor of these computers will explain how they work and clarify what they can truly accomplish. The program will explore the scientists’ answer to the question: Can machines think?