Aerodynamics
What is the name for the force that pushes a plane forward?
What is Thrust?
What do we call the people who travel into space?
What is Astronauts?
What does the acronym NASA stand for?
What is National Aeronautics and Space Administration?
What is a mission patch?
What is a special embroidered badge that shows a space mission’s name and symbols.
What is one basic thing astronauts practice before going to space?
What is learning how to move and work in microgravity (floating) or practicing with their equipment?
What is the force that pulls a plane down toward Earth?
What is Weight (or gravity)?
Name one thing astronauts must learn to do while in space (an activity or a skill).
What is to float safely (move in microgravity),
use tools in space,
sleep in a sleeping bag on the wall,
or use a space suit.
Name one thing NASA studies or explores.
What is planets,
stars,
Earth’s climate,
satellites,
rockets
Name one thing that is often shown on a mission patch.
What is the mission name/number, the spacecraft, planets, stars, or the crew’s names/initials.
Name one place or tool where astronauts practice weightlessness on Earth.
What is the Neutral Buoyancy Lab (underwater pool) or parabolic airplane flights (vomit comet).
What do we call the upward force created by air moving over and under a wing?
What is Lift?
Why do astronauts wear special space suits during a spacewalk?
What is to provide air to breathe, protect them from extreme temperatures, and keep pressure around their bodies.
How does NASA help scientists learn about flight on Earth?
What is testing aircraft,
designing models,
running experiments,
sharing data that improve airplanes
and safety?
Why do crews wear mission patches on their spacesuits or uniforms?
What is to show which mission they are part of and to remember the team and goals?
Why do astronauts train in a large pool with mock-up spacecraft inside (Neutral Buoyancy Lab)?
What is so they can practice spacewalks and working with tools while feeling like they are in microgravity?
Name the force that slows a plane down by resisting motion through the air.
What is Drag?
What is microgravity and how does it affect astronauts?
What is Microgravity is very weak gravity that makes objects float; it makes astronauts float and changes how they eat, sleep, and move.
What is a model in science and give one example NASA uses?
What is a model is a simple version of something used to study it;
examples: wind-tunnel models of planes or computer models that show airflow.
How can a mission patch tell a story about the mission? Give one short example.
What is a patch might show a rocket and planet to show the mission’s goal to study that planet, or symbols that represent teamwork and science objectives?
Explain one physical skill and one teamwork skill astronauts must develop during training. .
What is
Physical skill: using tools and moving safely in space;
Teamwork skill: communicating clearly and solving problems together
Explain in one sentence how lift is created on an airplane wing (use simple words).
Lift is created when air moves faster over the top of the wing than under it, making lower pressure above and pushing the wing upward.
Describe one problem an astronaut might face on a long mission and one solution scientists use.
Problem: Muscle loss from floating
Solution: Astronauts exercise every day with special equipment.
Explain how NASA uses problem solving and models to design a new spacecraft (two short steps).
What is
Step 1 — Identify problems (weight, fuel, heat). Step 2 — Build models (small tests or computer simulations), test them, then change the design until it works.
Design idea: List three symbols you would put on a patch for a mission that studies Earth’s weather from space and explain why (one short sentence each).
What is a cloud (to show weather), a satellite (to show tools used), and a globe (to show Earth focus).
Problem-solving scenario: An astronaut practicing a spacewalk finds a bolt is stuck on a satellite model in training. Describe two steps the team could take to solve it (short answers).
What is
Step 1 — Pause and communicate the problem to the team.
Step 2 — Try a different tool or practice procedure from training, and if needed, consult mission control for guidance