List of accidents and incidents involving the International Space Station

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/list-of-accidents-and-incidents-involving-the-international-space-station

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What happened during the first years of building the ISS?When the ISS was being assembled in space starting in 1998, astronauts and ground teams had to fix small problems like power system glitches, robotic arm issues, and tiny leaks in new modules. These fixes helped the station learn how to stay safe and work well.
2. Why do astronauts do spacewalks to fix leaks on the ISS?Leaks in parts like the Zvezda service module or the Unity node can let air escape, so astronauts go outside the station in spacewalks to patch the holes and keep everyone safe.

Orbital Mechanics: The study of the motion of objects in space under the influence of gravity.
Redundancy: The inclusion of extra components or systems that can take over if a primary one fails.
Contingency Planning: Developing plans and procedures to deal with unexpected problems or emergencies.