NASA’S OSIRIS-REX MISSION MODELS

Explore Mission Design & Engineering

Learn what it means to be part of a NASA mission team while crafting kinetic scale models of OSIRIS-REx. Launched in 2016, this cool spacecraft traveled to the near-Earth asteroid Bennu and took a sample of its surface to return home. Work in small groups to make an origami mission, including a movable arm, solar arrays and sample return capsule. Plus, model the special teams involved in mission design, planning and management as you create.

Designed by Eurekus & McREL International for NASA’s Discovery & New Frontiers Programs

3rd-12th Grade
Adult Learners
1.5-3 hours depending on if you implement as an individual or group project.
Chunk out in phases line the video tutorials below.
Space Science
Mechanical Engineering
Design Process
Group Project
Tech Extension
In-class, Hybrid or Online Learning

Implementation Steps

Overview

Read through the Leader Guide & Project Instructions to familiarize yourself with the activity. Learners can work in teams of 4 to relate to real NASA teams. They can also create an entire model by themselves to make a cool, special keepsake.
Download the model templates below. Print the templates on colored cardstock to connect to teams and systems - Spacecraft Engineers (Red), Flight Team (Yellow), Science Team (Blue) & Mission Manager (Green).
The instructions and video tutorials will give you specific details for crafting each system, instruments, and assembling your final mission. We also recommend printing the Project Instructions for teams to use as they make.
Download the Project Instructions below to collect materials for class. This project requires simple craft and paper supplies for easy implementation.
You can adapt this program to ignite content and scale for diverse learners. Here’s some ideas of how educators have customized.
- Design missions in small groups to learn how real NASA teams work.
- Integrate with a simple machines unit while creating moving instruments.
- Build a special summer camp experience.
- Augment STEM classes & Makerspaces while diving deep into the Design Process.
- Excite geometry investigations while using our 3D shape templates.
- Incorporate circuits, LEDs, motors and electronics to create mobiles.
- Scaffold with with our suite of NASA programs to take a deep dive into planetary science & mission engineering.
- Connect engineering systems to human senses ~ How do missions see, hear, speak, move & touch?
- Include for an exciting adult, team-building activity.
Have a ball exploring and creating with your learners. Check out NASA’s mission website and our gallery of student work to get inspired!
Then follow the video tutorials and instructions to make your missions in phases.

Resources, Planners & Handouts

Get Resources

Check out the following resources to get started.
- Mission Website
  Learn more about OSIRIS-REx and asteroid Bennu.
- OSIRIS-REx Videos
  Great for introducing the project, exploring science questions and discussing mission goals.
- Latest Mission News
  Keep tabs on the mission, sample collection and latest discoveries.
Print the Spacecraft Templates onto colored cardstock.
- Spacecraft Engineers (Print onto Red Cardstock)
- Flight Team (Print onto Yellow Cardstock)
- Science Team (Print onto Blue Cardstock)
- Mission Manager (Green): The mission manager does not have templates. Instead, give them a copy of the Project Instructions to lead project assembly.
You can add a tape circuit and motors to make a mobile. Download the Tech Pack Bus Template below to replace your Spacecraft Engineers red template.
View the slideshow below to see samples of Motorized Mission Mobiles.
- Spacecraft Engineers with Tech Pack (Print onto Red Cardstock)

Explore The Mission

Learn more about OSIRIS-REx’s exciting 7 year journey to study asteroid Bennu and return a sample to Earth!

NASA YouTube Channel

READY, SET, MAKE!

Follow the videos & instructions below to learn the program & make classroom examples before implementing with learners. You can also show students these tutorials to help guide them as they create. Encourage ideas, curiosity, collaboration & problem-solving! And, remember to embrace failure as an inherent part of the design process.

PHASE 1: Spacecraft Engineers

Red Group

Spacecraft Engineers design the body of the spacecraft. Learn to create the mission’s body called a “bus”. This is a cube shape onto which you will attach your other instruments. You’ll also create the Sample Return Capsule (SRC). This is a cool container which will return a sample of asteroid Bennu back to Earth.

PHASE 2: Flight Team

Yellow Group

The Flight Team is in charge of navigating and flying the spacecraft. Create a suite of cool, origami instruments. Make thrusters, a clever mount and base. Make moving solar array panels. Plus, craft guidance and navigation systems.

PHASE 3: Science Team

Blue Group

The Science Team is responsible for the science payload - the eyes, ears, hands & voice of the mission. Create the TAGSAM arm which will touch asteroid Bennu and collect a sample of it’s surface. You’ll also design a suite of cameras and imaging instruments. And, you make a high gain antenna to communicate with Earth.

PHASE 4: Mission Manager

Green Group

The Mission Manager does not create the paper instruments. Instead, they are the team leader. They will oversee the creation of the project and final assembly of the model. The PDF Project Instructions have mission checkpoints listed in Green for the mission manager to follow. The video tutorial shows how to assemble all systems into the final project.

Technology Extension

Add Circuits & Electronics for Deeper Investigations

With our more advanced makers, we like to add tape circuits and mini propeller motors to craft kinetic mobiles. This is great for middle and high school teams. Remember to use the Tech Pack Bus Template to replace your Spacecraft Engineers (Red) template. The Flight Team Templates (Yellow) and Science Team Templates (Blue) remain the same.

Craft your model and engage in a fun design challenge ~ add copper tape circuits, CR2032 batteries and small propeller motors.
Make an asteroid Bennu out of styrofoam or florist foam.
Use hangers, florist wire and fishing swivels to design a custom mobile.