Design, build, and test a Martian parachute lander that will protect your cargo: a hard-boiled egg.
Space craft on their way to Mars may be traveling 13,000 miles per hour when they reach the planet, they need to slow down to land safely on the surface. Using the engineering design process, you will learn about gravity, drag, and shock absorbers to build a Martian parachute lander that will survive the drop!
Watch this short video to see how scientists land rovers on Mars.
Design your lander: draw a blueprint of what you want your lander to look like and label your drawing with the materials you want to use. Think about how you can use your materials to absorb the shock of the landing so your cargo stays intact.
Tips & Tricks:
Build your lander: be creative and use whatever materials you have around you!
Use a plastic bag (any size) to make your parachute. You can cut the bag into a large circle, punch holes along the edges, or leave it the way it is.
Fun Fact:
Use a string, pipe cleaners, or whatever else you have available to attach your parachute to your lander.
Place your hard-boiled egg in your lander. Make sure you will be able to access your egg after you test your design.
It’s time to test! Ask an adult to help you find a high up place where you can drop your lander. For example, a landing on the second floor of your home or building, your porch, or maybe an adult can test it from the top of a ladder. When you and your adult are ready, drop your parachute lander!
Tips & Tricks:
After your test, check to see if your egg is intact, has some cracks, or is completely destroyed. Then, redesign, improve, and test your parachute lander as many times as you want until you get your desired results.
