OK, I tried to figure out how to make this post concise, but I really need to fully explain what we're doing here...
Boy Scout Troop 571, in pursuit of their Space Exploration merit badge, is building... ...
A Ground Based Space Station!
Primary system components will consist of several LAB's[1] , and several SAFT's[2] , most likely assembled with TSAT[3].
Orbital azimuth is expected to be around 30 feet from Mission Control (in the side yard).
The Scou^H^H^H^H, um, Station Crew will enter at 6PM on a Saturday night, with a return to Earth on the following Sunday morning (short trip, I know..;), probably followed by a post-mission debriefing over bacon, and eggs cooked on the good ol' Coleman stove.
Electrical power will be supplied from an off-site 12VDC source. Extensive use of LVXL's[4] will be used for internal station lighting. Supplemental Personal Lighting Systems[5] are the responsibility of the station crew.
Communication with Mission Control will be via a notebook computer running NetMeeting with full duplex video and audio utilizing Mission Control's _way cool_ 802.11b high-tech data transmission network[6]! Backup communication will be accomplished via FRS radio.
Human waste disposal methodology is currently being discussed. We're thinking that the direct approach may simply involve an EVA to the appropriate facilities.
hehe.. OK, enough bunk..
What I'm trying to come up with here are several "tasks", "emergencies" and "experiments" for the crew to conduct whilst on orbit. I'm trying to give the Scouts an idea of what it's like to be orbiting 240 miles above earth, and the considerations necessary to accomplish this.
One "emergency", an obvious one, will be an unannounced "power failure". Just hit the switch on the ol' 12VDC power supply, and watch the "crew" deal with the situation when their main communications drops out, lights fail, environmental systems, etc.
One "experiment", which should be huge fun, will be the Remotely Piloted Exploration Experiment. This will involve outfitting the 6yo sister with an X10 radio camera, and an FRS. She will then be instructed to explore the neighbor's yard, and collect samples. The crew will need to guide her by communicating via the FRS, and observing via the X10's 12V monitor.
Kinda like a low-tech MER simulation... Just the fact that the "vehicle" will be the 6yo sister should give them plenty to work on, and should be an absolute hoot to watch!
So, can any of you folks give me some ideas on other "space related" tasks for our young crew to handle? Again, I'm trying to give them an idea of what life on the ISS may be like..
Thanks all!
tah
[1] (L)arge (A)ppliance (B)oxes [2] (S)cout, and (F)amily (T)ents [3] (T)rans (S)onic (A)dhesive (T)ape, you guys know what *that* is...;0 [4] (L)ow (V)oltage (X)mas (L)ights [5] Flashlights. [6] Yeah, I just put in a wireless broadband router...