Space Exploration

Space Exploration

Merit Badge Workbook

This workbook is not required but is designed to help you with this merit badge. No one can add or subtract from the Boy Scout Requirements #33215. Use page backs & add pages as needed. Please send comments to: craig@craiglincoln.com. Requirements revised: 2005, Workbook updated: January 2005.

Scout’s Name: _______________________________________ Unit: _________________________

Counselor’s Name:___________________________________ Counselor’s Ph #: ________________________

1. Tell the purpose of space exploration and include the following:

(a) Historical reasons________________________________________________________________________________

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(b) Immediate goals in terms of specific knowledge______________________________________________________

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(c) Benefits related to Earth resources, _________________________________________________________________

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technology, _______________________________________________________________________________________

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and new products.__________________________________________________________________________________

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2. Design a collector’s card, with a picture on the front and information on the back, about your favorite space pioneer. Share your card and discuss four other space pioneers with your counselor. ________________________________

1_________________________________________________________________________________________________

2_________________________________________________________________________________________________

3_________________________________________________________________________________________________

4_________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Build, launch, and recover a model rocket.* If local laws prohibit launching model rockets, do the following activity Make a model of a NASA rocket. Explain the functions of the parts. Give the history of the rocket.

Make a second launch to accomplish a specific objective. ________________________________________________

(Rocket must be built to meet the safety code of the National Association of Rocketry. See the “Model Rocketry” chapter.)

Identify and explain the following rocket parts.

(a) Body tube_______________________________________________________________________________________

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(b) Engine mount___________________________________________________________________________________

(c) Fins____________________________________________________________________________________________

(d) Igniter__________________________________________________________________________________________

(e) Launch lug______________________________________________________________________________________

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(f) Nose cone______________________________________________________________________________________

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(g) Payload________________________________________________________________________________________

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(h) Recovery system_________________________________________________________________________________

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(i) Rocket engine____________________________________________________________________________________

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4. Discuss and demonstrate each of the following:

(a) The law of action-reaction_________________________________________________________________________

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(b) How rocket engines work__________________________________________________________________________

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(c) How satellites stay in orbit_________________________________________________________________________

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(d) How satellite pictures of Earth and pictures of other planets are made and transmitted______________________

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5. Do TWO of the following:

c (a) Discuss with your counselor an unmanned space exploration mission and an early manned mission. Tell about each mission’s major discoveries, its importance, and what we learned from it about the planets, moons, or regions of space explored.

c (b) Using magazine photographs, news clippings, and electronic articles (such as from the Internet), make a scrapbook about a current planetary mission.

c (c) Design an unmanned mission to another planet or moon that will return samples of its surface to Earth. Name the planet or moon your spacecraft will visit. Show how your design will cope with the conditions of the planet’s or moon’s environment.

6. Describe the purpose, operation, and components of ONE of the following:

c (a) Space shuttle

c (b) International Space Station

Purpose___________________________________________________________________________________________

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Operation_________________________________________________________________________________________

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Components_______________________________________________________________________________________

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7. Design an inhabited base located on the Moon or Mars. Make drawings or a model of your base. In your design, consider and plan for the following:

(a) Source of energy_________________________________________________________________________________

(b) How it will be constructed_________________________________________________________________________

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(c) Life-support system______________________________________________________________________________

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(d) Purpose and function_____________________________________________________________________________

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8. Discuss with your counselor two possible careers in space exploration that interest you.

Career 1___________________________________________________________________________________________

Find out the qualifications, education, and preparation required ___________________________________________

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and discuss the major responsibilities of those positions.________________________________________________

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Career 2___________________________________________________________________________________________

Find out the qualifications, education, and preparation required ___________________________________________

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and discuss the major responsibilities of those positions.________________________________________________

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