Station 4

Career Connection: Welding, Robotics, Aerospace Engineering

(Watch the video below)

Mission Intro: “Satellite Repair” - You’ve noticed that recent communication signals from your orbiting spaceship to your team on the surface of the planet have been lost. You look out the window and notice that one of the main communication satellite’s solar panels has been damaged by an apparent space debris strike. IT’S GO TIME! Perform a spacewalk to repair the satellite’s broken solar panel to reestablish the vital communication link between your ship and the rest of your team on the surface of Mars. Your ability to make this repair could mean the success or failure of this entire mission! NO PRESSURE. Good luck!  

First, observe the physical examples of “good” and “bad” welds located in this station. Inspect the physical examples by looking at and touching the welds. 

Now, using the Virtual Welder (and a steady hand), make the repair. Attempt to make three successful welds to repair the satellite and save the mission. Try to increase your score each time. Record your scores below.

Want to learn more about Space Welding? Click here.

Equipment Needed: Virtual Welders, visual and physical examples of welded material

Instructions:

1. Computer Login   (un: brmars    pw: welder)

2. Choose from the assignment list the type of weld you would like to attempt: Tee Joint,  Lap Joint, or Butt Joint.

3. Place the proper plastic joint guide piece (Tee, Lap, or Butt) in the holder on top of the welding platform.

4. Click Practice.

5.  Follow the onscreen prompts to make the weld.