This is a presentation that was given at the BYU Pow-Wow 2013. Its for the Space Exploration Merit Badge and includes the necessary information for presenting the merit badge.

1. Space Exploration
Merit Badge Slide Show
1

2. What is Exploration?
The action of traveling in or through an unfamiliar
area in order to learn about it
Why do we explore?
What happens if we stop exploring?
2

3. Why Explore Space?
Historically:
•Outer space has fascinated our race
•Making dreams a reality
3

4. Why Explore Space?
Immediate Goals of Space Exploration
•Moon landings
•Land on Mars
•Determine if there is extra-terrestrial life
•Encourage research and development
•Encourage Discovery
•Inspiration and national moral
4

5. Test Your Knowledge
What do the following items have in common?
•Wireless phones
•Cordless tools
•Smoke Detectors
•Scratch resistant eyeglass lenses
•
They are all spin off technologies
5

6. Why Explore Space?
• Scientific Discovery
• Spin off technologies
• Mine the moon for resources
• Harness the sun’s energy
• Economic Benefit
• Provides jobs
• Increases national moral and inspiration
• National Security
• Satellites
• Communication, security, military
6

7. Requirement 2: HOMEWORK
• Design a collector’s card of your favorite space pioneer
• Front and back
• Briefly tell about four other space pioneers
• Name and contribution
7

8. Requirement 2: Example
Contributions:
- First animal to orbit the earth
LAIKA
8

9. Model Rockets
9

10. 10

11. Model Rockets
Igniter
11

12. Law of Action and Reaction
For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction
Forces always come in pairs! Action and Reaction
Examples:
•A rife and its recoil
•Driving a Car
•Air let out of a balloon
12

13. How do Rockets Engines Work?
• It’s kind of like the balloon
• Burning the fuel creates gas
• The rocket pushes on the gas (action)
• The gas pushes back on the rocket and propels it
forward
13

14. Satellites in Orbit
• Gravity
• Orbital Velocity
• Satellite is in free fall
• Perfect balance
14

15. Satellite Images
First ones were film
 Now they are relayed
through picture elements
(pixels)
 Numbers are transmitted
back to earth and are here
decoded

15

16. Requirement 5: Homework
• Do two of the three options
1. Research and tell about an unmanned space
exploration mission and its major discoveries
2. Make a scrapbook page about a current planetary
mission. Describe what you learned
3. Design an unmanned mission to another planet or
moon
• Make sure you answer all the questions that are listed in your packet
16

17. The Space Shuttle
• Purpose:
• Transport astronauts to
and from space stations
• Reusable craft
17

18. 18

19. 19

20. Test your knowledge
How much fuel does the space shuttle use per
flight?
a. 5,000 gallons
b. 50,000 gallons
c. 500,000 gallons
d. 5,000,000 gallons
20

21. Requirement 7: Homework
Design an inhabited base located on the Moon or on
Mars
(make a drawing)
21

22. Careers in Space - Astronaut
• Bachelor’s degree in science,
math, or engineering
• Three years of related experience
• Pilots must have 1,000 hours of
experience piloting jet aircrafts
• Advanced degrees are desirable
• Responsibilities vary on the mission
22

23. Test your Knowledge
Why do astronauts need space suits?
a.
b.
c.
d.
It keeps them warm
It protects them from invading aliens
It provides air to breath
It makes it easier for the astronaut to
move
e. a and c
f. c and d
23

24. Careers in Space – Aerospace
Engineer
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering
• Design components of spacecraft, aircraft, satellites, missiles and
aerospace products
• Engineers usually focus on design of one specific product
• They make sure that products will function correctly and safely
• Search out more efficient ways to operate in space
24