Near Space Explorers Challenge
Mission Briefing: The Goal
The Adler Planetarium’s Far Horizon Space Exploration Program is searching for an engineering, design and communications team to develop a cheap and reliable Near-Space Exploration, Remotely Operated Vehicle (NSE ROV). The NSE ROV will be tethered to a helium balloon and launched as a payload to an altitude of approximately 80,000 feet above sea level, where the balloon will achieve neutral buoyancy in the stratosphere. The NSE ROV must be operated remotely via radio frequency communications to ascend or descend to more precise altitudes using motorized thrusters. Over the next few months, you will learn the skills necessary to create a prototype ROV. Then you will join other Chicago-area youth and put the science, technology, engineering and math skills you have developed to the ultimate test. |
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The Challenge: Operation Airlift
Develop the most cost effective, functional and efficient NSE ROV.
You will have 6 hours to develop a prototype NSE ROV that can complete a series of testing objectives, then sell your team’s design to a panel of Far Horizons scientists.
Build your NSE ROV from scratch using basic parts and circuit components.
Over the next 9 weeks, you will learn the skills to build an ROV.
Budget money, purchase supplies, document your progress, and present your work.
As you work through the daily challenges, practice these skills so you are well-prepared at the Boss Level Challenge.
Your Team
Each member of your team will have a specific and important role to play. Nobody can be an expert in all aspects of engineering, design and communications so each member of your team will bring a specific skill to the group and play a specific role on the team.
Develop the most cost effective, functional and efficient NSE ROV.
You will have 6 hours to develop a prototype NSE ROV that can complete a series of testing objectives, then sell your team’s design to a panel of Far Horizons scientists.
Build your NSE ROV from scratch using basic parts and circuit components.
Over the next 9 weeks, you will learn the skills to build an ROV.
Budget money, purchase supplies, document your progress, and present your work.
As you work through the daily challenges, practice these skills so you are well-prepared at the Boss Level Challenge.
Your Team
Each member of your team will have a specific and important role to play. Nobody can be an expert in all aspects of engineering, design and communications so each member of your team will bring a specific skill to the group and play a specific role on the team.