3, 2, 1….
Lift Off
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BEST Background
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Engineering Design Process

Satellite to Orbit the Moon Activity
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Design & Build Satellites
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Launch & Test Satellites
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Connections to NGSS/CCSS
Let’s start thinking like an engineer
“Every time someone
complains about a situation, a
task, or curses a product,
right there, there is an
opportunity for a product
or a service.”
– Anonymous Engineer
Engineering Design
Engineering
Design
Engineering Design
www.nasa.gov
Engineering in Everyday Life
What is a problem in
your life that needs to
be solved?
What can you think of
in your life that needs
improvement?
Ask and Imagine
What is the object?
 How does it work?
 Why was it made with this design?
 Can you think of any improvements to
the design or materials?

Engineering is Invention!

To demonstrate an understanding of
the Engineering Design Process while
utilizing each stage to successfully
complete a team challenge.
Comprehension and Collaboration
Engage effectively in a range of
collaborative discussions (one-onone, in groups, and teacher-led)
with diverse partners on grade
level topics and texts, building on
others’ ideas and expressing their
own clearly.
The NGSS represent a
commitment to integrate
engineering design into the
structure of science education by
raising engineering design to the
same level as scientific inquiry
when teaching science disciplines
at all levels, K-12. There are both
practical and inspirational reasons
for including engineering design as
an essential element of science
education.
To build a model of a
lunar exploration
satellite with the
general building
supplies provided.
Your satellite must
withstand a 1-meter
Drop Test without any
parts falling off.
 Select a combination of satellite instruments such as
cameras, gravity probes and heat sensors
 Each instrument requires a certain number of solar panels
Make sure that total weight of satellite instruments and
solar panels does not exceed 60 grams
 Satellite must fit within oatmeal canister (size constraint)
 At least two instruments must “deploy” (unfold or pop out)
when the satellite is launched
 Must pass a 1-meter Drop Test

20 Kg
30 Kg
10 Kg
1 Kg
Group Roles
Project Manager
o Only team member that is allowed to ask the
teacher questions.
o Only member of the team that will report out/
answer questions.
o In charge of time constraints.
Scientist (Data Analyst)
o Is in charge of repeatability.
o Records all data and information.
o Fills out forms and written reports of any kind
for the team.
Engineer (Mechanical Engineer)
o Is in charge of the constraints .
o Makes the supply list with logistics.
o Approves the design after construction as part of
quality assurance.
Logistics (Materials Engineer)
o The Only member allowed at the supply table
o Collects and Returns supplies and equipment.
o Makes sure to use only what is needed.

Ask, Imagine, Plan
 What questions do you have?
 What instruments will you use? How many? – Fill out your data table
 Show volume calculations
 Explain how instruments will deploy
 Draw 2 different views of your design & have it APPROVED
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<<ONCE APPROVED>>
Create – build your model
Experiment – join another team for Quality Assurance Evaluations
Improve – revise your satellite and redraw with new modifications

Your mission is to design and build a launch vehicle to send a
payload to the Mars.

Your payload is the satellite you built.

The launch vehicle is a balloon rocket assembly.

Your team must also determine how to attach your satellite to
the balloon assembly and then launch it down a fishing wire.
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
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You must change the length of the straw on your rocket
Once you have selected an appropriate straw length, select
one other rocket element for your design and modify only
that element during your remaining trials
Rocket elements are
 Number of balloons
 Type of balloons
▪ Size or shape

Ask, Imagine, Plan
 What questions do you have?
 How will you choose the lengths to make the straw?
 Which elements will you plan to test and how?
 Draw your balloon rocket assembly with satellite & have it APPROVED


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<<ONCE APPROVED>>
Create – build your model
Experiment – record data on the data forms…remember to join
another team for Quality Assurance Evaluations
Improve – revise your satellite and redraw with new modifications
 List Two things you
learned about what
engineers do though
building and launching
your satellite today?
 What was the greatest
difficulty that your
team encountered
while trying to
complete the
challenge? How did
you solve this
problem?
Barbie Buckner, PhD
Sue Nichols, PhD
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center
661-276-2966
[email protected]
Ohio University
740-533-4552
[email protected]
Barbie Buckner, PhD
NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center
[email protected]