The Space Place :: Testing a New Spacecraft Material


Test a new spacecraft material


Being in space is not at all like being on Earth. It's usually very hot or very cold. There's no air. There's very little gravity. And the radiation is terrible! Suppose you are a very smart spacecraft engineer. You have invented a new material to use for the fuel tanks on the spacecraft. But before you send your new material into the harsh environment of space, you must test it on Earth in a space-like situation. Please get an adult to help you with this activity, because you will be heating and pouring boiling hot water! To test this "new material" (which you have made in the shape of a soft drink can!) you will need: An empty aluminum soft drink can A medium-sized balloon A fat rubber-band of a size to wrap once tightly around the top of the can 1/4 cup boiling water
	Cut the top off the balloon.
Twist the pop-top off the can and carefully pour the boiling water into the can.
	Being careful not to burn yourself on the hot can, stretch the balloon over the top of the can and secure around the rim with the rubber band. You don't want it to pop off or leak air.
Now just watch. What happens first? What happens after the water inside starts to cool? Keep checking the can every few minutes until it is completely cool. Does this experiment tell you how good the material will be for making spacecraft fuel tanks? How would this material work if the spacecraft were to be dropped into the very thick and high-pressure atmosphere of a planet like Jupiter? Will this material be good for going into space?
What do you think, Dr. Millie?