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Middle School, Space Exploration Science Projects (36 results)

Space exploration is an exciting and wide-ranging area. Getting into space (and back down) is hard, involving rockets and launch vehicles, satellites, spacecraft, re-entry systems, landers and rovers, robots, and orbital mechanics, not to mention hypothetical technologies like space elevators and artificial gravity. To survive and thrive in space, we must understand many additional issues such as human performance in space, the space economy, and the science of astronomical bodies.

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A Model of Gravity in Our Solar System
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Why do the planets orbit the sun without flying off into space? Do they move in perfect circles or do their orbits take a different shape? And how could you possibly do a science project about any of this—you can't do an experiment with the planets! However, you can build a model of our solar system that demonstrates the concept of gravity, using balls of different sizes to represent the sun and planets. Watch the summary video for an excellent introduction to the model. Think about how… Read more
A Simulator for Suborbital Spacecraft
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Have you ever wished you could fly to space? Space flight is getting more accessible thanks to reusable rockets that make getting to space much cheaper. Civilian astronauts can even buy tickets for a few minutes in space! But exactly how high is "space"? How do engineers predict how high a rocket will go and figure out how to make it land safely? Find out in this project as you explore the physics of suborbital space flight.  Read more
Asteroid! Identify Space Hazards with Computer Vision
Science Fair Project Idea
Engineering Design Process
Space is a dangerous place for astronauts and spacecraft. Earth's orbit is full of potential hazards like meteoroids, space debris, and other satellites that you do not want to crash into! How do scientists detect these objects in space? If you do detect an object, how can you tell what it is? In this project you will make your own computer program that can recognize and react to three different models of objects that can be found in space. No previous programming experience is required! Read more
Asteroid Mining: Gold Rush in Space?
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
You've heard of gold mining and coal mining, but think outside the box...or the planet...what about asteroid mining? Scientists, engineers, and business people believe asteroid mining is feasible, and they are in the beginning stages of long-term plans to mine asteroids for valuable resources during space missions. You don't want to miss out on all the fun; in this science project, you will come up with your own scientific plan for an asteroid mining company. We will help get you started by… Read more
Astronaut Stress Management Training for Space Flight
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Training for space flight isn't just a physically demanding job. You need to be prepared mentally and emotionally, too! In this science project, you will test how a breathing technique can improve your fight-or-flight response induced by the stressors of space flight. Read more
Bottle Rocket Blast Off!
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
3... 2... 1... 0— blastoff! In this science project, you will use a bottle rocket launcher to launch your own bottle rocket. You will load it with water and pressurized air, make several launches, and find out what makes your rocket soar the highest. Read more
Build a Color-Detecting Rover
Science Fair Project Idea
Engineering Design Process
The Mars Curiosity and Perseverance rovers use scientific instruments, nicknamed ChemCam (Figure 1) and SuperCam respectively, to help them analyze the composition of rocks and soil on Mars. You can learn more about these cameras from the resources in the Bibliography, and more about why scientists want to analyze rocks on Mars from the video on this page. Figure 1. The two main parts of the ChemCam instrument on the Mars Curiosity rover.  For a science… Read more
Build a Model Planetary Lander with Arduino
Science Fair Project Idea
Engineering Design Process
Imagine that you need to make sure valuable cargo — like a robot or even human astronauts — can land safely on Mars. How would you do it? In this project, you will build your own model planetary lander using an Arduino. It will use a distance sensor and automatically deploy landing gear before impact. Can you avoid a crash landing? Read more
Build a Model Planetary Lander with micro:bit
Science Fair Project Idea
Engineering Design Process
How do you make a spacecraft land safely on the Moon or another planet like Mars? It probably helps to know how far away the ground is so you can deploy landing gear, activate a parachute, or fire thrusters to help slow down. In this project you will build your own "lander" vehicle with a sensor that can measure distance to the ground, allowing you to program outputs like blinking lights or an audible alarm.  Read more
Correlation of Coronal Mass Ejections with the Solar Sunspot Cycle
Science Fair Project Idea
Scientific Method
Scientists have known for hundreds of years that sunspot activity waxes and wanes over a cycle that lasts approximately 11 years. In the 1970's, scientists discovered that the sun periodically blasts electrified gases into space, in huge outbursts called 'coronal mass ejections,' or CMEs. This project asks the question: do CMEs follow the solar sunspot cycle? Read more
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