Names ________________________________________Period _____ Group # ____________________
Spacecraft Structures
The Challenge: Build the lightest weight thrust structure that will withstand the force of launch to orbit
at least three times.
Launch to orbit = propelling a 2L bottle of water to a height of 1m
Constraints: The thrust launch structure must be taller than 5cm and must allow for fuel lines and valves
represented by a 35mm film canister without its lid.
Grading
Points Earned
Points Possible
6
1. Drop Mass and Drop
Height
2. Drop Height/Altitude
Graph
3. Model Comparison
4. Preliminary Blueprint
5. Initial Budget
6. Meeting the Build
deadline
7. Model testing Results
8. Redesign Blueprint
9. Budget 2 and Total Cost
10. Meeting the redesign
building deadline
11. Model testing results 2
12. Reflection
13. Best in class (lightest
structure)
14. Lowest Total Budget
15. Successful completion of
3 launches without
structure breaking
7
6
6
6
10
6
6
6
10
6
6
7
7
7
1. Drop Mass and Drop Height
Trial #
Launch Mass
(kg)
Drop Mass (kg)
X
Drop Height
(cm)
Y
Altitude
Orbit (Y/N)
2. ***Graph See Attached***
What is a model?
3. Model Comparison
Bottle Rocket
Ares V
Source of the Thrust
Source of Engine Energy
Thrust Duration
Thrust Magnitude
Mass of Rocket
Thrust Depends on
4. ***Preliminary Blueprint see attached***
5. Budget
Item
# of this item
Cost per item
Total cost
6. Construction and Teamwork: meeting the Deadline ___________________________________
7. Model Testing
Group
Mass of Thrust
Launch Structure
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Group
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Launch to orbit (Y/N)
Cost per item
Total cost
8. ***Redesign Blueprint see attached***
9. Budget # 2
Item
# of this item
Total Cost (Budget 1 + Budget 2)
$__________________
10. Redesign building deadline _______________________________
11. Model Testing (round 2)
Group
Group
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Mass of Thrust
Launch Structure
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
12. Reflection
Pros
Things you would change

•

•

•
Launch to orbit (Y/N)