Space Exploration
Resources
- Space Exploration Class Preparation Page
- Space Exploration Workbook
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Merit Badge Advancement Quick Reference
- Scoutmaster Bucky's Acknowledgement Form
Related
Space Exploration Requirements Current Scouts BSA requirements
as of March 8, 2025
as of March 8, 2025
1.
Tell the purpose of space exploration and include the following:
a.
Historical reasons
b.
Immediate goals in terms of specific knowledge
c.
Benefits related to Earth resources, technology, and new products
d.
International relations and cooperation.
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.
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 this 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.
a.
Body tube
b.
Engine mount
c.
Fins
d.
Igniter
e.
Launch lug
f.
Nose cone
g.
Payload
h.
Recovery system
i.
Rocket engine.
4.
Discuss and demonstrate each of the following:
a.
The law of action-reaction
b.
How rocket engines work
c.
How satellites stay in orbit
d.
How satellite pictures of Earth and pictures of other planets are made
and transmitted.
5.
Do TWO of the following:
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.
b.
Using articles from the internet, photographs and text, create a blog,
website, or slide show about a current planetary mission or use
magazine photographs, news clippings, and articles from the internet to
make a scrapbook about a current planetary mission.
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.
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.
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:
a.
Source of energy
b.
How it will be constructed
c.
Life-support system
d.
Purpose and function
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.
