Space is hard. Beyond Earth’s atmosphere, astronauts and engineers face extreme hazards that make every mission a test of human ingenuity. In this Stars & STEM Adventure, students will step into the shoes of space pioneers to overcome the Challenges of Space Exploration.
Participants will confront the reality of long-distance spaceflight as they tackle a lockbox challenge, navigating communication delays and blackout scenarios while discovering what lies ahead for future Artemis missions. They will put engineering skills to the test in the Spacesuit Engineering Challenge, designing protective gear capable of braving the brutal temperatures of deep space. Finally, students will take control of robotic sample collection, exploring how scientists study distant worlds, overcome signal lag, and successfully return extraterrestrial payloads back to Earth.
Event Schedule: October 10, 2026
- 12:30 PM – Check-In at the Front of Space Center Houston
- 1:00 PM – Welcome Show in Mission Briefing Center
- 1:20 PM – STEM Activity Session 1 – Mars Sample Retrieval Mission
- How do scientists collect samples from millions of miles away? In this mission, students learn about cutting-edge space exploration, from the NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return campaign using Perseverance and helicopters to VIPER’s hunt for hydrogen on the Moon. Putting theory into action, students will then operate rovers fitted with end-effectors to overcome communication hurdles, maneuver across rugged terrain, and safely collect extraterrestrial samples (with a seasonal October twist!)
- 2:20 PM – STEM Activity Session 2 – Artemis Rescue Quest
- Students will act as Astronauts aboard Gateway and solve a series of lockbox challenges, including escape-room-style puzzles, to determine why contact was lost with their fellow Artemis VIII astronauts on the Moon’s surface. During this session students will discover NASA’s plans for Lunar habitation and future plans for 2030 and beyond.
- 3:20 PM – STEM Activity Session 3 – Cryogenic Engineering Challenge
- Students will need to design a space suit using various insulators and conductors to protect a “Marsh-monaut” from the cold temperatures of space. The “Marsh-monaut” will then be dunked in liquid nitrogen (-320 degrees F) for a 2 min suit integrity test. Please make sure all students wear close-toed shoes. During the session, students will discover information about NASA’s new Artemis spacesuit, the AxEMU.
- 4:30 PM – Tram Tour to Johnson Space Center
- 5:45 PM – Catered Dinner with an Astronaut
- 6:30 PM – Group Photos with an Astronaut
- 6:45 PM – Check-Out Begins at Guest Services
- 7:30 PM – Dismissed
Learn more about Space Center Houston’s Stars & STEM Program.
