Mon Prof Augmenté
Testing Spacecraft Step by Step
Open to everyone until Monday, September 28
To keep it, print it while it is open.
Before a Moon landing, engineers test each part and move on its own flight. They check one job at a time, then join the tested pieces together.
In the picture
- Round window on a lone capsule: a solo flight in orbit.
- Short joining tube between two modules: two spacecraft parts joined in space.
- Engine bell on a spacecraft near the Moon: a lunar flight check.
- Square descent stage under a small lander: a soft touchdown on the Moon.
Examples
- Bike makers test the brakes on one ride and the gears on another, then build the full bike.
- Phone makers test the camera in one model and the battery in another before selling the phone.
Key takeaways
- Testing one part at a time helps find problems before the whole spacecraft flies.
- Each flight can check one new step, so the next step is safer.
Carry on in the app
Three questions on this lesson, to check the idea stuck. Free in the app while the lesson is in the free week.
At least one new illustrated lesson every weekday for your child’s year, with its quiz and a reminder at 6:15 pm.
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