• Tell the purpose of space exploration including:
1. historical reason,
2. immediate goals in terms of specific knowledge,
3. Benefits related to Earth resources, technology, and new products.
• Tell about main steps in humanity's movement into space and tell about the contributions of these individuals: Jules Verne, K.E. Tsiolkovsky, Robert Goddard, Hermann Oberth, and Werner von Braun.
• Build, launch, and recover a model rocket.* Make a second launch to accomplish a specific objective. (Rocket must be built to meet the safety code of the National Association of Rocketry.) Identify and explain the following rocket parts:
1. Body tube
2. Engine mount
3. Fins
4. Igniter
5. Launch lug
6. Nose cone
7. Payload
8. Recovery system
9. Rocket engine
• Discuss and demonstrate each of the following:
1. The law of action-reaction.
2. How rocket engines work
3. How satellites stay in orbit
4. How satellite pictures of the Earth and pictures of other planets are made and transmitted.
• Discuss what has been learned about the Moon and planets by manned and unmanned spacecraft exploration and the possible benefits of new knowledge. Do TWO of the following:
1. Construct a data table of recent information about the planets. For each planet, give important facts, including distance from the sun, period of revolution, rotation, number of moons, etc.
2. Make a scrapbook of magazine photographs and news clippings about planetary research.
3. Design a spacecraft that will be sent on a mission to another planet to take samples of its surface and return them to Earth/ Name the planet your spacecraft will visit; and, in your design, show how your spacecraft will work and cope with the environment of that plant.
• Describe the purpose and operation of the space shuttle. Discuss the following:
1. Main components
2. Typical mission profile
3. Payloads
• Design an Earth-orbiting space station. Make drawings or a model of your station. Within your design, consider and plan the following:
1. Source of energy
2. How it will be constructed
3. Life-support systems
4. Purpose and function
• Discuss with your counselor two possible careers in space exploration.

* If local laws prohibit the launching of model rockets, do the following activity: Make a model of a NASA rocket. Explain the functions of the parts. Give the history of the rocket.