Houston, We have a problem!

Space Camp – Day#2

Wow!  Another fantastic day!

First thing this morning we ran our Space Shuttle Mission.  We did all of the pre-launch preps and checks, countdown, pressurization of fuel tanks, main engine and solid rocket burns, etc.  While in orbit we docked with the ISS, we did space walks to fix heat tiles, did health checks, experiments in the laboratories on board the ISS and the Orbiter.  Re-entry in to Earth’s orbit and the Shuttle landing was very exciting.  We needed to identify, solve, and overcome several anomalies.  Our Commander landed us safely.  The entire simulation lasted two hours + a 30 minute debriefing.

The "Business" End of the Shuttle!

  

Commander Jonathan practicing on a simulator before our mission.

Soon after, we worked in teams to create heat shields which would protect a raw egg from getting cooked with a blow torch.  The heat shield could not be thicker than ½ inch.  Some of the materials we could choose from were foil, copper foil, cork, cotton balls, etc.  We had 100 units to purchase materials.  The prices of materials ranged from 5 to 30 units.  Out of four teams, three were successful.

 Success!  Yes!

After lunch, we took a tour of the Honeywell’s Aviation Challenge facility.  It is a camp for students interested in flying military aircraft.  While there, we did a zip-line which simulated jumping from a helicopter into a lake.  It was a bit scary – but, exhilarating!

Simulators

Ready to climb!

This evening we built rockets (which we will launch on Tuesday) and learned the “ins” and “outs” of the Space Shuttle.  Fascinating vehicle!

We also got our assignments and briefing for our next simulated mission.  The mission is set in the year 2052.  It is purposely set in the future in hopes that by the time we reach this date, NASA will be doing something similar.  The first permanent base built was Aurora in 2045; the next base was SOCR, Shackleton Operations Control Room (or Mission Control on the Moon), in 2047.  The purpose of SOCR is to be the primary control center for all lunar operations as well as guidance for voyages to the Moon.  The last base established was Rising Star in 2048; this base was designed as an outpost strictly for research and exploration.  Three years ago, Aurora was damaged by debris from a solar storm and had to be abandoned.  Since the, all outpost operations were moved to Rising Star.

Our mission is to bring Orion, a capsule, and a Lunar Lander from Earth to the Moon with “fresh” astronauts to repair the inside and outside of Aurora.  Orion will then return to Earth with astronauts who have been on the Moon for sometime.

I have been given the job of CAPCOM (Capsule Communicator).  It is the only position that has communication with the capsule Commander.  If anomalies occur, and they will, I will need to help create solutions and relay these solutions to the crew.  I’m excited – and to tell the truth, a bit nervous.

Tomorrow morning will be here soon – so, I will sign off for now!