When astronauts go into space, they need a safe way to return to Earth. One way to do this is with a reentry capsule, which allows the astronauts to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere. The capsule is designed to fall from space into Earth’s atmosphere and to land safely. The inside needs to be designed to keep astronauts safe during the bumpy reentry ride!
DESIGN CHALLENGE
Build a reentry capsule that keeps a plastic egg astronaut intact when launched from the highest level possible.
TOOLS AND MATERIALS
- 16 oz (473 ml) paper cup with lid
- Duct tape
- 1⁄8″ × 3.5″ (3 mm × 9 cm) rubber bands (size 33)
- ¼” (6 mm) dowel, 24″ (61 cm) long
- 4½” (11.5 cm) craft sticks
- Marker
- Ruler
- Plastic egg
- Small metal washers or coins
- Googly eyes
- Cushiony materials (straws, pom-poms, foam, paper towels)
Material Limits = Creative Solutions
The easiest solution to this challenge is to stuff the cup with soft, absorbent material, but remember: Astronauts need room to breathe and use their hands! Encourage creative solutions by giving out only limited materials.
I recommend one paper towel, one 5″ × 8″ (13 × 20 cm) piece of foam, and six straws.
PREP
Create your astronauts
Place 10 coins or metal washers in the egg to give it some body weight. You might also give your egg some personality with googly eyes and a smile
Create the capsule
- An adult will need to prepare the capsule for younger kids.
- Use a 1″ × 4″ (2.5 × 10 cm) piece of duct tape to attach two rubber bands to the side of a cup about 2″ (5 cm) from the top.
- Apply two more pieces of tape across the first, as shown.
Create the capsule
An adult will need to prepare the capsule for younger kids.
Use a 1″ × 4″ (2.5 × 10 cm) piece of duct tape to attach two rubber bands to the side of a cup about 2″ (5 cm) from the top.
Apply two more pieces of tape across the first, as shown.
1. Create the launch stick. Use duct tape to attach two craft sticks to the end of the dowel so that only about ¼” (6 mm) is poking out at the end.
2. Loop the rubber bands onto the dowel as shown. Mark the spot on the dowel where the bottom of the cup touches. This is level 0.
3. Measure and mark 7 more levels that are about 1″ (2.5 cm) apart. Write a number next to each to indicate the ever more challenging launch levels!
4. Time to cushion the capsule!. Carefully arrange the cushion material inside the capsule, and then place your astronaut inside and snap on the lid.
5. Countdown . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . launch!.
Pull the capsule down to the level 1 mark, and release!.
When the capsule lands, open to see if the egg is intact, and then test again at the next higher level. I made it up to level 3 before . . . .
6. Oh no!.
My astronaut broke open!
Time to redesign.
MINDSET: BE COURAGEOUS
7. This won’t be the last time the astronaut breaks open! Embrace the challenge of launching from the highest challenge level possible, even though you know it increases the risk of failure. When you step outside your comfort zone, you are bound to improve in unexpected ways—and so will your project!
PROCESS: REDESIGN
8. This time, I used all of my foam, and I cut up pieces of straw. I also loosely crumpled the paper towel to cover my astronaut’s head!
9. Test again! After a few redesigns, I was able to safely launch and crash all the way to level 7!
