Back to Artemis III – Bringing the Mission Home
Artemis III – Lesson 6: Designing a Human Rated Rocket
Lesson Summary
In this lesson: students will learn about how Commander Moonikin Campos helped NASA test the Orion crew exploration vehicles and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket during Artemis I. Afterward, students will create their own test dummy astronauts and name them after inspirational figures. They will participate in three hands-on activities to explore the physical science concepts needed to design a successful model rocket. Using this knowledge, they will build an initial water bottle rocket and crew exploration vehicle to protect their moonikin astronauts. Through the Engineering Design Process, students will refine their designs until their rocket can fly at least 50 feet and safely return their astronaut to Earth. To evaluate their designs, students will test their rockets at least three times in a row. They can also use online simulations to analyze how design changes affect the rocket’s flight.
Estimated Instructional Time: 7 hours
Lesson Level Question: How can we design, test, and refine a rocket that is safe and reliable enough to transport human crews to and from the Moon?
Engage
Students will learn how Commander Moonikin Campos helped NASA test the Orion crew exploration vehicles and Space Launch System (SLS) rocket during Artemis I. Next, students will create their own test “Moonikins” out of a Pringles chip and name it after someone who has inspired them.
Explore
Students will do three hands-on activities to learn about the physical science concepts needed to design a successful model rocket.
Explain
Students will document their understanding of what makes a model rocket fly along a smooth straight path by writing a statement that explains why a rocket has fins and how that relates to the center of pressure and center of mass.
Elaborate
Students will use the Engineering Design Process to improve on an initial water bottle rocket design that can reach 50 ft and safely carry a test dummy chip-stronaut.
Evaluate
Students will test their rocket’s ability to reach launch to at least 50 ft in the air and safely deliver a test dummy astronaut to the Earth at least three times in a row.
Extend (optional)
Students can further test their crew exploration vehicle or simulate their rocket design.
Standards Alignment
Each lesson includes standards alignment information for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Many lessons also include information on alignment opportunities for: CCSS Mathematics, CCSS English, WA State Learning Standards in Computer Science, WA State Standards in Social Emotional Learning.
In these documents, you will find an alignment summary, followed by details for each lesson: