Space Travel Challenges (Lunar Lander)
Materials
Lunar Lander Challenge
· Scissors
· Washi Tape
· Cup
· Astronaut Toy
· Cardboard Square
· Building Materials
Mars Lander Challenge
· Parachute Toy
· Scissors
· Washi Tape
· Hole Puncher
· Cup
· Astronaut Toy
· Building Materials
Procedure
Lunar Lander Challenge
1. For this challenge, you will design a shock absorption system to safely land astronauts on the moon. As the moon’s gravity pulls a lander to its surface, it may speed up and cause things to break or astronauts to get injured. Therefore, it is important for engineers to design a system that will reduce the force from the impact.
2. Tape the bottom of the cup to the center of the cardboard square. Place the astronaut inside. The cup represents the command module.
3. Using the provided materials (in the bag labeled Lunar Lander), build a structure on the bottom of the cardboard that will reduce the force from the landing on the astronaut and keep them from falling out of the cup when the lander is dropped from a high place. Note that you may not build on the top of the cardboard with the cup—only build on the bottom.
4. When you have finished building, test your lander! How high can you drop it from without the astronaut falling out? Why does your design work?
Mars Lander Challenge
1. For this challenge, you will design a parachute system to safely land astronauts on Mars. This system can be used on Mars and not the moon because Mars has a thin atmosphere.
2. First, find the astronaut with the blue parachute attached to it. Unfold the parachute, and drop it from a high place to see how a parachute works.
3. Now, place the astronaut without a parachute into the cup. The challenge is to build a parachute using the provided materials (in the bag labeled Mars Lander) to prevent the astronaut from falling out of the module (cup) when dropped from a high place.
4. When you have finished building, attach the parachute to the module and drop it from a high place. How high can you drop it from without the astronaut falling out? Use a timer to determine how long it takes for your parachute to fall. Why does your design work?
Science Behind it!
(Lunar Lander Challenge)
Landing on the moon is tricky. Since a spacecraft can go as fast as 25,000 miles per hour on its way to the moon, it needs to slow down in order to land safely, and if there are astronauts on board the lander also needs to keep them safe.
When designing the shock absorbing system for your lunar lander, think of springs in a cushion or an accordion. Your body also has its very own shock absorbing system. When you jump to the ground from up high, your back and knees bend to absorb some of the energy and break your fall. This system makes it hurt less or not at all. As you get older, your knees can wear out and your shock absorbing system gets a little worn down. Take it easy on your elders. Think of this absorbing system as you make your own way to absorb the fall of the lander on the moon.
Gravity is the force by which a planet or other body draws objects to its center. Gravity keeps all of the planets in orbit around the sun and keeps your feet on Earth. Keep gravity in mind as your lander falls on the surface of the moon.
Another part of the spacecraft is the command module. You are creating a model so this will not actually work. In a real spacecraft, the command module comes off of the spacecraft where the person is controlling it as it is in the air.
(Mars Lander Challenge)
This challenge is all about the atmosphere. What is the atmosphere? What is it made of?
The atmosphere is a mixture of gases that surrounds Earth. It is mostly made up of nitrogen, oxygen, water, and carbon dioxide. We, as human beings, breath in oxygen and exhale or breath out carbon dioxide. Gravity is what holds the atmosphere to our planet, Earth. How do you think it would work on the moon with no atmosphere? What would life be like if there were no atmosphere? Mars has a very thin atmosphere. A parachute works by falling down on Earth through the atmosphere. The parachute traps air, or gas underneath it. The moon doesn’t have an atmosphere so would a parachute work? What about on Mars, which has a thin atmosphere? The parachute can still trap some air under it. Have fun with both of these challenges! This could be the beginning of your career as an astronomer or a hobby that you enjoy learning about.