Scale Modeling Space: From the Earth to the Moon
To study space, is to grapple with questions as old as humanity. Understanding how the complex
mechanisms of the universe work gives us a greater appreciation for its graceful and poetic beauty.
The practical reasons for studying space are much more down to Earth. Daily weather forecasts,
instantaneous worldwide communication, and a constant ability to record high-resolution images of
vital regions are all examples of space technology that we've come to take for granted.
(Jerry Jon Sellers)
 This project is designed to help develop the understanding of space by taking abstract concepts and
making them more concrete through researching, modeling, and problem solving the many different
structural aspects of space, space travel, and satellites.
Learning Targets:
 I can create and label a large scale model of the Earth: including the core, mantle, and crust
and Space including: Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Middle Earth Orbit (MEO), geosynchronous
orbit (GEO) and the Moon.
 I can use the internet to research the altitude range(s) of the atmosphere: troposphere,
stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere and the different types of satellite orbits
and the distance to the Moon.
 I can calculate the scale distances of these orbits and regions of the atmosphere and then place
them onto the large scale model.
 I can calculate the scale distance above the surface of the Earth for select satellites and place
them onto the large scale model.
Large Scale Prediction Activity:
As a group you will make predictions on the location of layers of the atmosphere, satellite orbits, and
select satellites.
 Get a post-it-note from the instructor with a label.
 Go into the hallway with a long strip of paper.
 Notice, at one end of the paper there is a semi-circle. This semi-circle represents half of the
Earth. Work as a large cooperative group to place your predictions of where the labels on your
post it notes belong on the paper.
Introduction to Satellites and Space Systems
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Scale Modeling Space: From the Earth to the Moon
Making the Scale Model
Procedure:
Research and Calculations
1. Use the internet to research and record:
 the radius of the Earth, 𝑟𝐸 (km) ________________
 the radius of the Moon, 𝑟𝑚 (km) ________________
 the distance, d (km) from the center of the Earth to the center of the Moon
____________.
Label 𝑟𝐸 , 𝑟𝑚 , 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑 on the diagram below. NOTE: the distance IS NOT to scale.
2. You are given a 650 centimeter long sheet of paper. You are to use a scale distance of 600
centimeters to model the center of the Earth to the center of the Moon.
Calculate the scale factor for this activity:
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 (𝑘𝑚)
=
𝑆𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑒 (𝑐𝑚)
3. For your scale model: How many kilometers does 1 centimeter represent? ____________
4. Use the internet to research and record the data to complete the Actual column in the table
below.
5. Use the scale factor above to calculate the scale distance for each of the regions in the tables
below.
Example: Determine the scale height of the troposphere.
To determine the scale distance of the upper boundary of the Troposphere:
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡(𝑘𝑚) ×
1 𝑐𝑚
1 𝑐𝑚
=
137.1𝑘𝑚
𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡(𝑘𝑚) × 137.1𝑘𝑚 = 𝑐𝑚
20 𝑘𝑚 ×
(Note: km/km = 1)
1 𝑐𝑚
= .145 𝑐𝑚 = 1.45 𝑚𝑚
137.1𝑘𝑚
Introduction to Satellites and Space Systems
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Scale Modeling Space: From the Earth to the Moon
So, in our model, the Troposphere would extend 1.45 mm above the surface of the Earth
Earth Interior Data
Region
Actual
Scale
Distance from center of
Distance from center of
Earth (kilometers)
Earth (centimeters)
Inner Core
Outer Core
Mantle
Crust
Earth Exterior: Atmosphere Data
Region
Actual
Distance range from
surface of Earth
(kilometers)
Ex: Troposphere
Scale
Distance range from
surface of Earth
(centimeters)
Stratosphere
Mesosphere
Thermosphere
Exosphere
Perform any necessary calculations here:
Introduction to Satellites and Space Systems
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Scale Modeling Space: From the Earth to the Moon
Research and record the altitude of a geosynchronous satellite. __________ km
In the space below, draw a picture of a GEO satellite orbiting the Earth. Label the Earth’s radius
with rE and the satellites height above the surface of the Earth with h. (Think: before you draw
– calculate how many earth radii are there between the surface of the Earth and GEO)
Orbit and Satellite Data
Orbit/Satellite
Actual
Distance from the surface
of the Earth (km) Use
ranges for orbits
LEO
Scale
Distance from the surface
of the Earth (cm) Use
ranges for orbits
ISS
Hubble Space
Telescope (HST)
MEO
GEO
TelStar 5
6. Use the white roll out paper provided and the information in your tables to construct a large
scale model of the Earth and the space around Earth out to the moon. You can be as creative as
you wish. There are supplies provided in the room. – Scissors, markers, colored paper, rulers,
compass etc…
7. REFLECTION: Explain how the group prediction compares to your calculated model. Are you
surprised? Explain.
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Introduction to Satellites and Space Systems
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