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Judith Resnik Facts & Worksheets

Judith Resnik was a famous NASA astronaut, electrical engineer, software engineer, biomedical engineer, and qualified professional pilot.

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Judith Resnik was a famous NASA astronaut, electrical engineer, software engineer, biomedical engineer, and qualified professional pilot. Judith has been described as smart, hardworking, and dependable.

See the fact file below for more information on the Judith Resnik or alternatively, you can download our 25-page Judith Resnik worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

BACKGROUND

  • Judith was known to be mentally gifted from a young age. She started elementary school one year early and excelled in many different subjects.
  • Judith is known for her research in solar energy while working for NASA.
  • Judith was also known for being gifted at playing classical piano.

EARLY LIFE & EDUCATION

  • Judith Resnik was born on April 5, 1949 in Akron, Ohio. Her parents Marvin and Sarah were Jewish immigrants who came to the United States from the Ukraine.
  • From an early age Judith was recognized for being intellectually gifted. She was able to quickly master subjects such as math, languages, and classical piano.
  • After acquiring a perfect SAT score, Judith began attending college at the prestigious Carnegie Mellon College of Engineering in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania (1966).
  • In 1970 Judith graduated from Carnegie with a degree in electrical engineering.
  • While attending Carnegie, Judith met her husband Michael Oldak.
  • After graduating from Carnegie, Judith began working for the Radio Corporation of America (RCA).
  • While working for the RCA Judith helped design and engineer radar control systems for the United States Navy. She also helped design and engineer software for NASA’s rocket programs.
  • Judith went on to obtain her PHD in electrical engineering at the University of Maryland in 1977.
  • That same year, Judith successfully obtained her professional aircraft license. It was noted that she had nearly perfect flying exams.

NASA ASTRONAUT CORPS

  • In 1978 Judith was selected to join the NASA Astronaut Corps. This is an organization which selects and trains astronauts for space missions. Judith was one of six other women who were selected to join the NASA Astronaut Corps.
  • Judith was chosen to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program. Her first mission was called “STS-41-D” aboard the newly constructed ship called “Discovery.” STS-41-D was the first time the Discovery space shuttle had been used.
  • The objective of STS-41-D was to orbit the Earth for 6 days while conducting various tests and experiments.
  • STS-41-D was launched on August 30, 1984. On this mission Judith was assigned as a Mission Specialist. Her role was to conduct experiments on a solar wing.
  • These experiments helped determine if solar energy could be used to generate electrical power on future space missions.
  • Judith found that there is a great potential for using solar energy to power future space missions.
  • While working for NASA Resnik also helped to design the software for the “Remote Manipulation System.”
  • This system helps NASA control various technologies through the use of robots or automated systems.

THE CHALLENGER DISASTER

  • In 1985 Judith was selected to be the Mission Specialist for NASA’s project called “STS-51-L.”
  • There were three objectives of this mission.
  • The first objective was to set up multiple Tracking and Data Relay Satellites.
  • The second objective was to deploy (for the first time ever) a Shuttle Pointed Autonomous Research Tool for Astronomy. This tool was designed to help astronomers better observe astronomical patterns.
  • The third objective of this mission was to carry out a project called “Teacher In Space.” This project was designed by President Reagan to help encourage students to study math, science, and space.
  • The STS-51-L mission was set to launch using the space shuttle named “Challenger.”
  • On January 28, 1986 the Challenger space shuttle was set to launch. Approximately 73 seconds into the launch a malfunction occurred causing the ship to break apart.
  • All seven crew members including Judith were killed in this accident.

THE CHALLENGER AFTERMATH

  • Following the Challenger Disaster, President Reagan ordered an investigation be conducted by the Rogers Commission to determine how the explosion happened.
  • The investigation confirmed that the explosion was due to the malfunction of a peice called the “O-ring.” This piece was used to attach the shuttle’s right Solid Rocket Booster.
  • The investigation also determined that there were problems concerning the management at NASA. According to their investigation the organization had pushed aside concerns about the O-ring in order to save time and money.
  • NASA did not resume its Space Shuttle Program until 1988. This was approximately two and a half years after the Challenger Disaster.

LEGACY

  • Judith Resnik was the second American woman to fly in space. She was also the first American Jewish astronaut to travel in space.
  • A crater located on the far side of the moon has been named “Resnik” after Judith Resnik.
  • Judith Resnik has had many schools, landmarks, and buildings named after her. For example, “Judith A. Resnik Elementary School” in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
  • Judith Resnik continues to be an inspiration for women and girls around the world.

Judith Resnik Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Judith Resnik across 25 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Judith Resnik worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Judith Resnik who was a famous NASA astronaut, electrical engineer, software engineer, biomedical engineer, and qualified professional pilot. Judith has been described as smart, hardworking, and dependable.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Judith Resnik, Facts
  • Five Words
  • Challenger Crossword
  • Word Scramble
  • Space Log
  • Mission Specialist Timeline
  • Mission Objectives
  • Remote Wordsearch
  • Turn to Truth
  • Resnik Acrostic
  • Opinion Piece

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Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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