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Space Camp

Welcome, Space Explorers!

Photo from NASA’s First Woman Novel

Please join us for the first ever NASA Space Camp at Boise State University as we explore the Moon, Mars and beyond!

Our camp material is based on NASA’s fictional “First Woman” graphic novel series, which tells the story of Callie Rodriguez, the first woman to explore the Moon.

While Callie is a fictional character, the first female astronaut and person of color will soon set foot on the Moon. This camp will bring the excitement of NASA’s science and technology missions to the Artemis generation of explorers.

What is Artemis?

With Artemis missions, NASA will send astronauts back to the Moon, using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. Among these brave astronauts will be the first woman and person of color to land on the moon. NASA will collaborate with commercial and international partners and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon. NASA’s scientists and engineers will use what they learn on and around the Moon to take the next giant leap: sending the first astronauts to Mars.

What’s our mission?

As NASA exploration takes us farther than ever, technology development in spacecraft design, deep space communications, fuel storage and transfer, and crew safety become crucial to the success of future missions. At Space Camp, explorers will have four challenges in four research areas where NASA is seeking innovative solutions.

The four research areas:

  • Slowing Down in Space –
      • The first challenge is delivering heavy payloads to Mars. When a spacecraft enters an atmosphere, aerodynamic drag, or air resistance, helps to slow it down. However, the atmosphere of Mars is less dense than Earth’s. Although the atmosphere is thick enough to provide some drag, it is too thin to decelerate a heavy spacecraft for a safe landing. NASA has developed a new lightweight decelerator system. The low-Earth orbit flight test of an inflatable decelerator (LOFTID) demonstrated a crosscutting inflatable aeroshell – a type of heat shield – for atmospheric re-entry. This inflatable structure, protected by a flexible heat shield, acts as a giant brake as it traverses the Martian atmosphere.
  • Deep Space Communications –
      • The second challenge is providing clear and consistent communication for long-distance missions. The farther away a spacecraft is from Earth, the more challenging it becomes to communicate in deep space. Not only is there a delay, but the signal weakens, and obstructions like solar radiation can degrade or prevent a message from reaching its intended audience. Just like a video call requires more data than a text message, advancements in spacecraft technology requires the transfer of even more data than before. Astronauts and spacecraft need to maintain contact with mission control, so NASA is testing deep space optical communications (DSOC) to overcome these challenges.
  • RoboTools –
      • The third challenge is developing a robotic system for in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM). In-space servicing covers fixing, fueling, improving, and reviving satellites. With in-space assembly, parts of a structure can be launched into space separately and put together once they reach their destination. In-space manufacturing involves fabrication of individual components or large structures from raw materials. Using robotic arms and tools, ISAM capabilities will extend the lives of existing spacecraft and incredible new mission concepts will be realized.
  • Filling Up in Space –
      • The fourth challenge is transferring and storing rocket fuel. Most spacecraft use cryogenic propellants – gases such as hydrogen and oxygen chilled to below freezing temperatures. When cooled, these gases condense to form highly combustible liquids that provide high-energy propulsion. These fluids must be stored and transferred without temperature fluctuations that could result in fuel loss. NASA is looking for a solution to efficiently store and transfer these super-cold fluids (Cryogenic Fuel Management).

Each day will be full of fun new activities, NASA swag and guest speakers, so that your explorer walks away with the excitement and wonder of NASA’s science and technology missions preparing them for the Artemis generation of space exploration. Campers will also meet with a NASA astronaut!

Photo from NASA’s First Woman Novel

Camp Details:

Date: Monday, July 15th through Friday, July 19th

Time: 8:30 am to 12 pm (each day)

Age range: Entering 3rd-6th grade in Fall 2024

Our registration is LIVE. To register, please follow this link – https://forms.gle/xkuNuLpfDn7sDFtN8.

*If you would like to sign up multiple children, please fill out individual forms for each child.

E-mail astro@boisestate.edu with questions.