In this lab, students are introduced to spacecraft, launch vehicles, and orbits. They will use simulations to test and explore physics and vehicle design. They will also analyze the design of rockets through testing and iterating a balloon rocket.
Students will:
- Analyze real-world problems and use critical thinking skills in order to solve them
- Collect and analyze data
- Explain the engineering process as it pertains to their design
- Understand space mission phases
- Describe the forces on a balloon rocket
- Analyze rocket performance through data collection and simulation
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Lab time commitment
90-120 minutes
(including 30-minute intro video) -
Lab materials
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Live Q&A session and wrap up with
College Students & Professional Engineers
Classroom Tools & Resources
Get access to all of the presentation materials, workbooks and resources to run the Astrodynamics lab in your classroom.
Lab Intro Videos
Get our engineer’s introduction to the lab topic and learn more about the lab activity.
If you've completed the lab intro, you can find additional optional lab extensions beginning at timecode 28:28.
Teacher Guide
Pre-work, instructions and troubleshooting advice.
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Student Workbook
Questions and assessments from the lab presentation.
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Abbreviated Student Worksheet
A worksheet containing major student lab activities.
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Engineer’s Presentation
Full lab presentation presented by our engineers.
ViewMeet the lab intro host
Milton Davis
Curriculum Coordinator, Engineering Tomorrow
,
Aerospace Engineer, NASA
Milton started at Goddard Space Flight Center as a Pathways Student in 2000 working with the Navigation & Mission Design and Components and Hardware Systems branches. As a co-op intern, Milton received a co-patent for his work on a demise-able momentum exchange system (reaction wheel) which has flown on the Global Precipitation Measurement and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter missions.
Milton served as an associate branch head of the GNC hardware branch from 2014 to 2018 focusing on new business, new technology, and re-chartering branch career paths. He transitioned to OSAM-1 in 2019 to serve as the Space Infrastructure Dexterous Robotics Payload Systems and Phase lead, and in 2020 he started serving as the OSAM-1 Space Vehicle lead.
Milton served as the National Society of Black Engineers Greenbelt Space Chapter President. He held a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Purdue University and a Masters in Project Management from Johns Hopkins University.
Milton started at Goddard Space Flight Center as a Pathways Student in 2000 working with the Navigation & Mission Design and Components and Hardware Systems branches. As a co-op intern, Milton received a co-patent for his work on a demise-able momentum exchange system (reaction wheel) which has flown on the Global Precipitation Measurement and Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter missions.
Milton served as an associate branch head of the GNC hardware branch from 2014 to 2018 focusing on new business, new technology, and re-chartering branch career paths. He transitioned to OSAM-1 in 2019 to serve as the Space Infrastructure Dexterous Robotics Payload Systems and Phase lead, and in 2020 he started serving as the OSAM-1 Space Vehicle lead.
Milton served as the National Society of Black Engineers Greenbelt Space Chapter President. He held a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Purdue University and a Masters in Project Management from Johns Hopkins University.
Lab Day Keynote
Every Engineering Tomorrow Lab Day event ends with an inspiring keynote from an engineering expert. Watch this one from the latest Astrodynamics Lab Day.
Marsha Ivins
Retired Astronaut and Veteran of 5 Space Shuttle Missions
WHY ENGINEERING TOMORROW
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Cutting-edge instruction designed by professional engineers.
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