Egg Drop Lab Worksheet
OSU Aerospace Lab
EGG DROP LAB
MISSION PARAMETER: LANDER DEVELOPMENT & PAYLOAD PROTECTION
Pilot Name _________________
Launch Date _________________
Payload Name (Your Egg's ID) _________________________________
Part 1: Structural Engineering Directives
1. Drag
Increase air resistance using parachutes or sails to trap air. This fights gravity and decreases descent velocity.
2. Cushion
Build artificial crumple zones (balloons, soft padding) to absorb impact kinetic energy, protecting your cargo.
3. Arch Angle
The arches on either end of the egg are much stronger than its sides. Orient the arch downward to withstand impact forces!
Part 2: Cargo Inventory & Weight Assessment
Verify that your structural kit contains the permitted items before starting construction:
10 Paper Straws
15 Cotton Balls
1 Paper Plate
5 Pipe Cleaners
30cm Aluminum Foil
1 Sheet Const. Paper
1 Meter Masking Tape
1 Extra-Large Egg
Part 3: Lander Technical Blueprint
10 MINUTE BRAINSTORMING PERIOD • NO ASSEMBLY PERMITTED
Blueprint Directives: Sketch a detailed diagram of your lander. Clearly label where the payload (egg) is housed, how drag is created, and what elements will act as the impact cushion.
OSU Flight Deck
LAUNCH LOG & REPORT
Testing Phase Active
Part 4: Flight & Impact Performance Log
Record critical mission telemetry for each successive launch. Keep variables controlled by deploying from the exact same launch zone each time.
| Launch ID | Launch Height | Descent Time | Damage Assessment | Impact Zone Notes |
|---|
| Launch 01 | _________ m | _________ sec | [ ] Intact [ ] Hairline [ ] Ruptured | |
| Launch 02 | _________ m | _________ sec | [ ] Intact [ ] Hairline [ ] Ruptured | |
| Launch 03 | _________ m | _________ sec | [ ] Intact [ ] Hairline [ ] Ruptured | |
Part 5: Simplified Class Data Tracker
Perform a class-wide review. Mark a check (\(\checkmark\)) or tally for each student lander performance across elevations to analyze survival margins.
Height Level 1
Intact: _____ Cracked: _____
Height Level 2
Intact: _____ Cracked: _____
Height Level 3
Intact: _____ Cracked: _____
Part 6: Engineering Mission Debrief
1. Technical Analysis: What specific element of your lander design was most successful? What failed to perform as expected?
2. System Redesign: Describe one modifications you would make to improve your lander's flight stabilization or impact protection.
3. Space Exploration Link: How does your design mirror the airbag or descent-deceleration systems used by NASA on planetary rovers?
