NASA Exploration Design Challenge

NASA and Lockheed Martin launch Exploration Design Challenge targeted at K-12 students

The challenge will allow K-12 students to examine different materials that simulate space radiation shielding for Orion, participate in teacher-guided activities and recommend the best materials to protect astronauts from radiation.

High school students can take the challenge farther by designing shielding to protect a sensor inside Orion from space radiation.  The winning design will fly aboard the Orion capsule during Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1) set for September 2014.

About the Challenge

The goal of the Exploration Design Challenge is for students to research and design ways to protect astronauts from space radiation. NASA and Lockheed Martin are developing the Orion spacecraft that will carry astronauts beyond low Earth orbit and on to an asteroid or Mars. Protecting astronauts from radiation on these distant travels is an important -- and very real -- problem that needs solving. NASA would like your help!

All students that participate in this challenge can join other participants from around the world to celebrate the Exploration Flight Test-1 of Orion by having their names flown on board as honorary crew members. The deadline to register students for the virtual crew is March 14, 2014.

The challenge will be in three grade levels. For details click on the respective level.

• K-4 Challenge
• 5-8 Challenge
• 9-12 Challenge

 Registration is required for participation. 

For details visit http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/spacelife/explorationdesign/overview/index.html