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April 11, 2011

NES: NASA Engineering Design Challenge: Spacecraft Structures

Presented by: Kristy Hill

Spacecraft Spacecraft StructuresStructures

NASA Engineering Design Challenges

SyllabusSyllabus

• Activity OverviewActivity Overview• NASA ConnectionNASA Connection• Teacher PreparationTeacher Preparation• The Design ChallengeThe Design Challenge• Modifications and ExtensionsModifications and Extensions

http://explorerschools.nasa.gov

What you’ll find What you’ll find insideinside

National StandardsNational StandardsPhysical Science

◦Motions and forces◦Transfer of Energy

Science and technology◦Abilities of technological design

Science as inquiry◦Abilities necessary to do scientific

inquiry

Value to the Value to the TeacherTeacher• Easy to navigateEasy to navigate• Supports content standardsSupports content standards• Background, resources, and Background, resources, and

mastersmasters

Value to StudentsValue to Students• Based on a real-world problemBased on a real-world problem• Use creativity, cleverness, and Use creativity, cleverness, and

scientific knowledgescientific knowledge• Develop presentation and Develop presentation and

communication skillscommunication skills

Let’s Pause for Let’s Pause for QuestionsQuestions

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NASA ConnectionNASA Connection

Why is it important to Why is it important to make the launch vehicle make the launch vehicle

as lightweight as as lightweight as possible?possible?

[Type responses in the chat][Type responses in the chat]

BackgroundBackground• NASA’s use of lightweight, strong NASA’s use of lightweight, strong

materials for launch vehiclesmaterials for launch vehicles• Focus on thrust structuresFocus on thrust structures• NASA’s history of testing rocketsNASA’s history of testing rockets

Which vehicle is Which vehicle is the shortest?the shortest?

a) Saturn Vb) Space Shuttlec) Ares Id) Ares V

B. Space ShuttleB. Space ShuttleB. Space ShuttleB. Space Shuttle

Which vehicle has Which vehicle has the least weight at the least weight at takeoff?takeoff?a) Saturn Vb) Space Shuttlec) Ares Id) Ares V

Launch Vehicles

Launch VehiclesLaunch Vehicles

The Challenge:The Challenge:• Build the lightest weight thrust Build the lightest weight thrust

structure that will withstand the structure that will withstand the force of launch to orbit at least force of launch to orbit at least three timesthree times

Definition:Definition:• Launch to orbit = propelling a 1-Launch to orbit = propelling a 1-

liter bottle of water liter bottle of water approximately 1-meter into the approximately 1-meter into the airair

Comparing rocketsComparing rockets

Comparing rocketsComparing rockets

If it costs $10,000 to lift a If it costs $10,000 to lift a pound (half a kilogram) of pound (half a kilogram) of

payload into orbit, calculate payload into orbit, calculate the cost of sending yourself the cost of sending yourself

into space. into space.

(Sharing is optional)(Sharing is optional)

Thrust StructuresThrust Structures

Thrust StructuresThrust Structures

Thrust StructuresThrust Structures

What are some ways What are some ways NASA engineers could NASA engineers could make a launch vehicle make a launch vehicle

as lightweight as as lightweight as possible?possible?

[Type responses in the chat][Type responses in the chat]

Design ConstraintsDesign Constraints• Use only the specified materialsUse only the specified materials• Must be taller than 5 centimetersMust be taller than 5 centimeters• Must allow space in the center for Must allow space in the center for

fuel lines and valves (represented fuel lines and valves (represented by 35mm-film canister without by 35mm-film canister without lid)lid)

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Teacher PreparationTeacher Preparation

Time and Time and MaterialsMaterials• 4-8 hours of prep time4-8 hours of prep time• Six 45 minute class periodsSix 45 minute class periods• Build the launcher and rocketBuild the launcher and rocket• Materials for classroom Materials for classroom

activityactivity

Teacher KitTeacher Kit• Kit available from NASA CORE Kit available from NASA CORE

at http://core.nasa.govat http://core.nasa.gov

Let’s Pause for Let’s Pause for QuestionsQuestions

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The Design The Design ChallengeChallenge

Engineering Engineering Design Design ProcessProcess

Classroom Classroom SessionsSessions• Session 1: Introducing the Session 1: Introducing the

Challenge and Getting StartedChallenge and Getting Started• Session 2: Design 1Session 2: Design 1• Sessions 3 and 4: Designs 2, 3, 4, Sessions 3 and 4: Designs 2, 3, 4,

55• Session 5: Storyboard/PosterSession 5: Storyboard/Poster• Session 6: Student PresentationsSession 6: Student Presentations

Design and Result Sheets

Let’s Pause for Let’s Pause for QuestionsQuestions

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Modifications and

Extensions

Brainstorm BoardBrainstorm Board

CustomizationsCustomizations

• Allow modifications of cardboardAllow modifications of cardboard• Allow repairs Allow repairs • Increase the rocket massIncrease the rocket mass• Design with alternative materialsDesign with alternative materials• Limit designs by cost (budget)Limit designs by cost (budget)

http://neon.psu.edu

Keep inspiring Keep inspiring your students. your students.

NASA always needs workers interested in Science, Technology,

Engineering and Mathematics.

Searching for NASA educator guides? www.NASA.gov

NASA Explorer NASA Explorer SchoolsSchoolshttp://explorerschools.nasa.gov

http://explorerschools.nasa.gov

Thank you to the sponsor of tonight's Web Seminar:

This web seminar contains information about programs, products, and services offered by third parties, as well as links to third-party websites. The presence of a listing or such information does not constitute an endorsement by NSTA of a

particular company or organization, or its programs, products, or services.

http://learningcenter.nsta.org

http://www.elluminate.com

National Science Teachers AssociationDr. Francis Q. Eberle, Executive Director

Zipporah Miller, Associate Executive Director Conferences and Programs

Al Byers, Assistant Executive Director e-Learning

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NSTA Web SeminarsPaul Tingler, Director

Jeff Layman, Technical Coordinator