Mission Bravo Oscar - Mission Simulation

Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket is a vertical-takeoff, vertical-landing, crew-rated suborbital launch vehicle that is being developed as a commercial system for suborbital space tourism. Blue Origin is switching propulsion systems to solid propellant. Students must work together to determine which engine size is the best choice thinking about altitude, velocity, and acceleration the type of payload that will be launched.

Mission Bravo Oscar is complete when the following criteria are met:

• Appropriate personnel are identified, hired, and work effectively together.
• The mission launch is captured in a mission patch, website, video, news article, and social media.
• A New Shepard rocket is safely built, transported, launched, and recovered after testing 3 engine types in an appropriate time frame.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

MS-ETS 1-2

Evaluate competing design solutions based on jointly developed and agreed-upon design criteria using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

MS-ETS 1-3

Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

Common Core: ELA

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3

Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.6.2

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas, concepts, and information through the selection, organization, and analysis of relevant content.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.5

Include multimedia components (e.g., graphics, images, music, sound) and visual displays in presentations to clarify information.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.6

Adapt speech to a variety of contexts and tasks, demonstrating command of formal English when indicated or appropriate.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.1

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.2

Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.6.3

Use knowledge of language and its conventions when writing, speaking, reading, or listening

Common Core: Math

CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.4.MD.B.4 and CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.5.MD.B.2

Represent and interpret data.

Data Literacy Objectives

• Identify different types of data (qualitative and quantitative)
• Create data visualizations
• Identify patterns in data

Each Student Needs:

• Student Mission Packet
• Goggles

The Class Needs:

• Slide Presentations
• Blue Origin New Shepard Builders Kit
• Lifetime Launch System
• Recovery Wadding
• Engines, B4-4, B6-4, and C6-5
• Mini AltiTrak
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Fine Sandpaper
• Medium CA Glue
• Yellow Glue
• Wax Paper
• Hobby Knife
• Masking Tape
• Primer
• Clear Coat (optional)
• White Paint
• Sand Block
• Camera or cell phone
• Art Supplies