space exploration: mission to mine 
Create a Station that Mines Planets or other celestial bodies for Resources
By Phillip & Kayla Roenspie - United states
with contributions from Maria blue
SPACE EXPLORATION: MISSION TO MINE
Activity Duration: 60-120 minutes
​Recommended Age: 10-13

Planets, moons, asteroids and other celestial bodies in our solar system aren’t just giant rocks or gaseous objects orbiting in space. They may have valuable resources that can help humans explore space. These resources could be materials needed directly on Earth or for deeper space travel (water, fuel, building materials, etc.) Plan a mission to make a planetary resource station and design a recruiting poster for the crew needed to launch your "Mission to Mine!"


​EXPERIENCE
NASA’s Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) has confirmed, for the first time, water on the sunlit surface of the Moon. This discovery indicates that water may be distributed across the lunar surface, and not limited to cold, shadowed places.  Water on the moon could help sustain lunar astronauts and even propel missions to Mars, if harvesting it can be made practical. Read more here.
​
Picture
Image: Water on Moon by artaniss8


​THINK
  • Water is vital for humans to live.  What if it could be harvested from lunar reservoirs? 
  • Lunar astronauts could use it as drinking water and split it into oxygen and hydrogen to make rocket fuel for their return journeys.
  • Having lunar water as a resource could decrease the cost of sending astronauts deeper into space because it would reduce the amount of fuel they would need to carry with them from Earth.  Read more here 
CREATE
​Resource Stations on other planets could aid Space Exploration.
  • Pick a planet in our solar system and determine what kind of resources are most plentiful and valuable there.
  • Consider whether the resource could be used to further space exploration.
  • Do some research on mining in space and on Earth. 
  • Come up with a plan to get to that planet, including the crew needed for the mission. 
  • Watch the video on the left about asteroid mining to get ideas.
  • Design a poster to recruit the crew you will need to mine the resources in your planet. (See example below)
 


​Check out the sample recruiting poster to the left!

See the steps for this activity summarized in this graphic:
dyh_space_exploration_recruiting_poster_for_mission_to_mine.pdf
File Size: 266 kb
File Type: pdf
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See the document below for a more detailed lesson plan:  ​
dyh_space_exploration_mission_to_mine_lesson_final_1-18-21.pdf
File Size: 833 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
SHOW US YOUR MISSION TO MINE POSTER -  Send us pictures, videos, or drawings of your poster to SciArt Exchange (submit here) , and we will share your creativity with other kids around the world.

OTHER RELATED DESIGN YOUR HABITAT VIDEOS AND ACTIVITIES

Isolated Earth Habitats & Space Cities​
Space & Physical Health
Making & Doing Science in Space

Click here for a full activity plan and for Resources for Educators, Parents and Students who want to know more...