Years ago, Americans used bevel gears, worm gears, steel shafts, and splined shafts and hubs to launch rockets into space. Since the first launch, scientists and people the world have become increasingly curious and creative. This creativity inspired the launch of some pretty weird objects into space. What are some of the most unusual things that researchers have propelled into orbit?
An Out-Of-This World Memorial To Amelia Earhart
Shannon Walker, an astronaut and member of a women’s pilots organization called The Ninety-Nines, carried Amelia Earhart’s watch into space with her in 1929. She launched the watch into space before the end of the mission, making it the second of Earhart’s personal belongings launched into space. (Astronaut Randy Bresnik made Earhart’s scarf go into “the great void” in November 2009.) In fact, casting objects –- or even remains –- into space as a final farewell is not altogether uncommon. For a pricey fee, several crematoriums will scatter your ashes into space when you pass away.
It Doesn’t Stop At The Lego Store
Lego is determined to make it blocks known throughout history. In 2016, a spacecraft will reach Jupiter with three world-famous Lego figurines. “Aboard the spacecraft are three Lego figurines: one of the king of the Roman gods for whom the planet is named; one of his wife Juno, with a magnifying glass; and one of astronomer Galileo Galilei, holding both a telescope and a miniature planet Jupiter,” Time magazine writes. “The placement of the objects is part of a partnership between NASA and the LEGO group to inspire children to explore science and technology.”
The Beginnings Of A True-To-Life Planet of The Apes?
Animal testing is not confined to planet Earth. Turtles, some worms, monkeys, and mice have all been launched into space. The animals allegedly all returned alive and in good health.
Bevel gears, shaped circular cones, can propel humans, rockets, and all kinds of objects in space. Gears are among the oldest technology used to set things, including trains, automobiles, and even spacecraft, into motion using a series of teeth for a mechanical advantage.