How to Play NASA's Deep Space Communications Game

TL;DR

To play NASA's Deep Space Communications game, divide into teams with roles as a deep space network station, relay stations, and a spacecraft. The objective is for the spacecraft to reach the moon by following commands that the relay stations will intentionally alter, highlighting the challenges of real-world space communication and teamwork.

Transcript

• [Presenter] This is how to play NASA's Deep Space Communications game. In this game, students will pretend to be a deep space network station, relay stations and a spacecraft. The goal of the game is for the spacecraft to reach its destination by following the deep space network stations directions, but there's one catch. The relay station team i... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 NASA's Deep Space Communications game allows students to experience the complexities of communicating in space missions.
• 👾 The game teaches teamwork, problem-solving, and the importance of clear communication.
• 🙈 Failure in reaching the moon on the first try is seen as a learning opportunity.
• 🎮 The relay stations play a crucial role in adding challenges to the game.
• 👾 The game encourages creativity in finding new ways to send commands effectively.
• 👾 Deep Space Communications game can be adapted for educational purposes in schools and STEM programs.
• 👾 Following instructions accurately is crucial in space missions.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does the Deep Space Communications game work?

The game involves teams role-playing as a deep space network station, relay stations, and a spacecraft. The deep space station writes commands on index cards, which are then handed to the relay stations. The relay stations modify the commands before passing them to the spacecraft, who must follow the instructions to reach the moon.

Q: What is the goal of the game?

The goal is for the spacecraft to reach the moon by following the commands given by the deep space network station. However, the relay stations purposely change the commands to make it challenging for the spacecraft.

Q: How does the relay station team muddle the message?

The relay station team receives the command cards from the deep space network station and rolls dice. Based on the dice roll, they read corresponding scenarios from the delayed, degraded, delivered worksheet and make instructed changes to the command cards before passing them to the next team member.

Q: What happens if the spacecraft doesn't reach the moon on the first try?

Not reaching the destination on the first try is an opportunity for the team to stop, think, develop new protocols, and try again. NASA encourages participants to learn from failures and not give up.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA's Deep Space Communications game involves teams acting as a deep space network station, relay stations, and a spacecraft.

• The goal is for the spacecraft to reach the moon by following commands, but the relay station team will change those directions.

• Each team has a deep space network station, relay stations, and a spacecraft, with the relay stations purposely confusing the commands.