Your Next Big Project: Choose Your Mission

What do you know about space exploration? You probably know that humans have walked on the Moon, that Mars rovers are crawling across a distant red planet, and that the universe is mind-bendingly huge. But two stories stand out above the rest — one that began nearly 50 years ago and is still going, and one that is being written right now.

For your next project, you get to choose which story you tell.

Option 1: The Mission That Never Ended

In 1977 — before most of your parents were even born — NASA launched two small spacecraft into the unknown. No one was sure exactly what they'd find. What followed was one of the greatest scientific adventures in human history. These probes flew past giant planets, discovered active volcanoes on distant moons, hinted at hidden oceans that might harbor life, and carried a golden message from Earth to the stars. Today, decades later, they are still out there — farther from Earth than anything humans have ever sent — and they are still talking to us.

This is the story of NASA's Voyager mission: the longest-running space exploration mission ever, and humanity's first steps into interstellar space.

Option 2: The Rocket That Could Change Everything

Right now, on the Gulf Coast of Texas, engineers are building and testing the most powerful rocket ever constructed — a machine so large it dwarfs every rocket that came before it, including the one that carried astronauts to the Moon. It has exploded on test flights and been caught mid-air by giant mechanical arms. It is designed to be launched, landed, refueled, and flown again — like an airplane. Its destination? First the Moon. Then Mars. Then, maybe, wherever humanity decides to go next.

This is the story of SpaceX's Starship: the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, and the vehicle that may one day carry humans to another planet.

Your Assignment

You will research your chosen mission and create an 8-slide presentation to share with the class. You're not just reporting facts — you're telling a story. Make it one your classmates will actually want to hear.

Check the assignment sheet for your chosen mission to see exactly what each slide should cover, what to include, and how you'll be graded.

Choose wisely. Explore boldly. The universe is waiting.