Scoutmaster Bucky Space Exploration Merit Badge Workbook

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Merit Badge Requirements Merit Badge History

Space Exploration Merit Badge Workbook

This Scoutmaster Bucky Merit Badge Workbook is based off the current Scouts BSA Requirements.

Type your work on this page or download the Space Exploration Workbook PDF.

Consider also using the Space Exploration merit badge class preparation page for clarification and expections when participating in a Scoutmaster Bucky merit badge opportunity (online or in-person).

https://scoutmasterbucky.com/merit-badges/space-exploration/

Scout's Name:

Requirement 1: Tell the purpose of space exploration and include the following:

Purpose

Requirement 1 a: Historical reasons

Requirement 1 b: Immediate goals in terms of specific knowledge

Requirement 1 c: Benefits related to Earth resources, technology, and new products

Requirement 1 d: International relations and cooperation

Requirement 2: Design a collector’s card, with a picture on the front and information on the back, about your favorite space pioneer. Share your card and discuss four other space pioneers with your counselor.

Front

Back

Requirement 3: 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. See the “Model Rocketry” chapter of the Space Exploration merit badge pamphlet.) Identify and explain the following rocket parts.

* If local laws prohibit launching 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.

Completed first launch

Completed second launch

Notes about objective and launches

Requirement 3 a: Body tube

Requirement 3 b: Engine mount

Requirement 3 c: Fins

Requirement 3 d: Igniter

Requirement 3 e: Launch lug

Requirement 3 f: Nose cone

Requirement 3 g: Payload

Requirement 3 h: Recovery system

Requirement 3 i: Rocket engine

Requirement 4: Discuss and demonstrate each of the following:

Requirement 4 a: The law of action-reaction

Requirement 4 b: How rocket engines work

Requirement 4 c: How satellites stay in orbit

Requirement 4 d: How satellite pictures of Earth and pictures of other planets are made and transmitted

Requirement 5: Do TWO of the following:

Requirement 5 a: Discuss with your counselor a robotic space exploration mission and a historic crewed mission. Tell about each mission’s major discoveries, its importance, and what was learned from it about the planets, moons, or regions of space explored.

Requirement 5 b: Using magazine photographs, news clippings, and electronic articles (such as from the internet), make a scrapbook about a current planetary mission.

Requirement 5 c: Design a robotic mission to another planet, moon, comet, or asteroid that will return samples of its surface to Earth. Name the planet, moon, comet, or asteroid your spacecraft will visit. Show how your design will cope with the conditions of the environments of the planet, moon, comet, or asteroid.

Requirement 6: Describe the purpose, operation, and components of ONE of the following:

a. Space shuttle or any other crewed orbital vehicle, whether government-owned (U.S. or foreign) or commercial

b. International Space Station

Chosen option

Purpose

Operation

Components

Requirement 7: Design an inhabited base located within our solar system, such as Titan, asteroids, or other locations that humans might want to explore in person. Make drawings or a model of your base. In your design, consider and plan for the following:

Drawings of your base

Requirement 7 a: Source of energy

Requirement 7 b: How it will be constructed

Requirement 7 c: Life-support system

Requirement 7 d: Purpose and function

Requirement 8: Discuss with your counselor two possible careers in space exploration that interest you. Find out the qualifications, education, and preparation required and discuss the major responsibilities of those positions.