Touchdown A NASADesign Squad Challenge Background Knowledge Landing

Touchdown A NASA/Design Squad Challenge

Background Knowledge • Landing on the moon is tricky. First, since a spacecraft can go as fast as 18, 000 miles per hour on its way to the moon-- it needs to slow down. Then it needs to land gently. That lander has astronauts inside, not crash dummies! Easy does it!

Problem • Design and build a shock-absorbing system that will protect two “astronauts” when they land.

Materials (per lander) • • • 1 or 2 pieces of card stock 4 x 5 in. 1 small paper cup 3 index cards 2 regular marshmallows 10 miniature marshmallows 3 rubber bands 8 plastic straws Scissors Tape

Brainstorm • Talk with your partner about how to build a spacecraft that can absorb the landing. • What kind of shock absorber can you make from these materials that can help soften a landing? • How will you make sure the lander doesn’t tip over as it falls through the air?

Things to Think About While Designing • Your astronauts will be the two large marshmallows. They must be in the cup (cabin). • You cannot strap in your astronauts – No seat belts! Before you test your lander, you must prove that your astronauts can fall out of the cup by turning your lander upside down. • How can you design your lander so your astronauts do not fall out?

Design • Draw a diagram of your design in your journal. • Make sure to include labels.

Test, Evaluate, and Redesign • Drop your lander from a height of 30 cm. If the astronauts bounce out, figure out a way to improve your design. • Drop your lander from a height of 100 cm. Does your lander still protect the astronauts? • With your team, drop your lander from the top of the stairs. Does your lander still protect the astronauts? • ***Note: You must turn your lander over each time you test to prove that the astronauts can fall out easily.

Discussion • What forces affected your lander as it fell? • After testing, what changes did you make to your lander? • How does testing help you improve a design? • What did you learn watching others test their landers?