Build your own spacecraft!

How would you like to be the chief engineer for an important NASA mission? In this activity, you get to design the latest and greatest satellite. Your satellite could help study things happening on Earth, take pictures of planets in our solar system, keep an eye on our sun, or even find planets elsewhere in the universe!

cartoon of two kids building a model of a satellite

You get to decide how to make your satellite—its all up to you. While you are building your satellite, though, keep in mind that your satellite must have a couple of basic things:

diagram of the basic components of a satelllite.

Click on the image to see what a real satellite looks like!

diagram of GOES-N with its basic components labled.

This is the GOES-N satellite. It keeps watch over weather on Earth.
(Click image to return to the previous illustration)

	Container: Your satellite needs some sort of container to hold all of the gizmos together and keep its instruments safe.
	Power Source: You will need something to give your satellite electricity so that it can run all of its high-tech gizmos. Solar panels or fancy batteries are two options.
	Scientific Instruments: This is the why you launched your satellite in the first place! Instruments can take pictures of far away galaxies or planets right here in our Solar System, measure chemicals in Earth's atmosphere, or keep a close eye on our Sun's activity. It's your decision!
	Communication Device: You will need some way to communicate with Earth. Antennas (shaped like dishes or poles and rods) are a good way to do this.
	Orientation Finder: Make sure you have something that lets your satellite know where it's pointed and which way is 'up.' Something that looks at the stars (a star tracker) or the sun (a sun tracker) would work.

Here's Some Examples...

a model satellite built with described supplies.

Non-Edible Satellite 1

Container: small juice box.
Power source: battery made from a yellow sponge.
Instruments: small plastic dish attached with a pick-up stick.
Communication: Radio dish made with half a styrofoam ball, black construction paper, and a part of a pick-up stick.
Orientation finder: star tracker made from a screw.
Held together with: Scotch tape.

Non-Edible Satellite 2

Container: small cardboard box.
Power source: solar panels made from shiny book cover with straws and skewers.
Instruments: Dixie cup bowls (under the box).
Communication: antenna made from the other end of the straws.
Orientation finder: star tracker made with a washer.
Held together with: Scotch tape and Elmer’s glue.

Non-Edible Satellite 3

Container: juice box.
Power source: solar panel made from shiny book cover, construction paper, and a skewer.
Instruments: bits of sponges.
Communication: antenna made from a screw.
Orientation finder:star tracker made from a washer.
Held together with: Elmer’s glue.

Non-Edible Satellite 4

Container: sponges held together with toothpicks.
Power source: solar panel made from CDs or DVDs attached to chop sticks.
Instruments: paper clips.
Communication: antenna made from the other end of the straws.
Orientation finder: star tracker made from a washer.
Held together with: tape and toothpicks.

Non-Edible Satellite 5

Container: juice box covered with construction paper.
Power source: solar panels made from sponges with pipe cleaners through them.
Instruments: screws.
Communication: large dish antenna made from half a styrofoam ball, black construction paper, and a part of a pick-up stick.
Orientation finder: sun tracker made with nuts and washers.
Held together with: Scotch tape and glue.

Edible Satellite 1

Container: rice crispy treat.
Power Source:solar panel made from a sugar wafer.
Instruments: gummy candies and part of an ice cream cone.
Communication: antenna made from a yogurt-covered pretzel.
Orientation finder: star tracker made from tiny piece of licorice twist.
Held together with: toothpicks and frosting.

Edible Satellite 2

Container: rice crispy treat.
Power source: solar panel made from licorice twist sticks held together by toothpicks.
Instruments: sugar wafers.
Communication: antenna made from a tiny bit of licorice stick.
Orientation finder: Sun tracker made from part of a gummy worm.
Held together with: toothpicks and frosting.