Conservation of Momentum in Space Station - Homework Analysis

The project explores the application of the conservation of momentum principle in a space station environment where normal atmospheric conditions are absent. The international space station operates as an isolated system, and hence, its total momentum remains constant. This analysis discusses various approaches that astronauts might employ to regain motion when they lose handholds, highlighting practical applications and limitations associated with each method. 'Swimming' through space presents significant challenges due to low buoyancy in zero gravity, making it a less viable option. Alternatively, throwing an object in the opposite direction can propel an astronaut forward, but risks damaging critical station components upon collision of the thrown object. The preferred approach involves utilizing the reaction force from wall pushes, which aligns well with conservation principles by minimizing floating debris risk and facilitating controlled movement. Ultimately, understanding momentum conservation is crucial for ensuring efficient and safe motion within space stations, underpinning successful mission operations.

Running head: CONSERVATION OF MOMENTUM IN SPACE STATION
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Conservation Of Momentum In Space Station
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INTRODUCTION
A space station is a big satellite that is intended to be occupied by astronauts for long
periods of time and serve as the base for manning scientific operations in space. The
environmental conditions in space stations are different from the normal atmospheric conditions
on earth. The international space station has zero gravity and handholds are used by the
astronauts to facilitate movement (Becker, 2017). This paper illustrates the approaches an
astronaut can take to get moving in case they cannot access handholds. Furthermore, this paper
uses the principle of conservation of to evaluate how each of the approaches will work putting
considerations to the principle of conservation of momentum. The astronaut should always have
a clear understanding of how motion takes place in an international space station to avoid
mistakes that may be fatal to the whole mission.
The principle of conversation of momentum can be stated as; the total momentum of two
bodies before the collision is the same as the total momentum of the two bodies after collision
provided the collision takes place in an isolated system (Brosing, 2014). The international space
station is an isolated system hence the overall momentum in it remains constant always.
Momentum is a product of mass and velocity which is a vector quantity thus momentum is also a
vector quantity. This principle plays a critical role in relation to motion in the space station.
To begin with, the first approach the astronaut can take to get moving again in the case of
losing handholds is by “swimming”. However, the buoyancy in the zero-gravity space is less
compared to water (Kolev, 2015). Due to the frictionless issue stopping will be difficult when the
astronaut reaches destination hence may crash on an object and according to the conservation of

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momentum principle, the collision may be elastic or inelastic. This approach is therefore not
advised due to the numerous complications that come with it.
The other approach is that the astronaut can throw an object in his hands in the opposite
direction with sufficient momentum to propel him/her to the destination. The reaction force
produced by throwing the object will accelerate the astronaut in the opposite direction to the
action force enabling the astronauts to reach the destination (Stenzel, 2016). According to the
conservation of energy principle, this object will move with the same momentum and it may
collide with vital components in the station and affect the operations. This approach is therefore
not a suitable alternative in this scenario.
Another approach the astronaut can use to reach his/her destination is by getting near the
walls and push against the walls towards their desired destination. The reaction force provided
by the wall gives velocity to the astronaut. The astronaut can "bounce "from wall to wall before
finally reaching the destination. This approach works in accordance with the conservation of
momentum principle (Brosing, 2014). The approach is most preferred since the stopping changes
are low and the risk of having objects floating in space is eliminated.
In summary, the principle of conservation of momentum is critical in relation to motion in the
space station. Various precautions are kept in place to ensure that motion is efficient and
effective to ensure the success of the space mission.

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References
Becker, B. a. (2017). Conservation of generalized momentum maps in mechanical-optical control
problems with symmetry. Chicago: Chicago Publishers.
Browsing, G. a. (2014). The physics of everyday phenomena. New York: New York Press.
Kolev. (2015). Conservation of Momentum. New York: Springer International Publishers.
Stenzel. (2016). Whistler waves with angular momentum in space and laboratory plasmas. Califonia:
Longhorn Publishers.