Creative Engineering Design
Systemary Travel:
Our team decided to research and find a solution to create a more advanced spacecraft propulsion system.
Our team decided to research and find a solution to create a more advanced spacecraft propulsion system.
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Our Project:
My team was given the task of finding and addressing a world problem. We decided to research and plan a way to travel in space because of the prediction Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking made; if we don't leave Earth within 100 years the human race will go extinct. With this new found reason for space exploration we decided that we wanted to find and create a new and better propulsion system. Our result left us with the two options of either nuclear fusion or solar sails. We weighed the abilities of each in a power point as our final presentation.
Engineering Design Cycle Steps:
1. Identify Need- The first step is identifying a need or finding a problem that needs to be solved; in the case of my team we understood that humankind needs to become more involved in space travel once again.
2. Research Problem- The next step is to research and gather data of the problem at hand; our team used trusted sources to find more information on space projects and the necessity for a space program.
3. Develop Possible Solutions- Then in order to continue, solutions need to be found; our project required us to brainstorm 20 possible solutions.
4. Select the most promising solution- To progress the list must be slimmed down to the best possible idea; for my team we chose to advance with the idea of the spacecraft's propulsion system.
5. Construct a prototype- Next a prototype is built to insure that the idea is feasible; unfortunately our team does not have access to the billions of dollars needed to build an engine prototype but we did formulate an idea of the engine needed.
6. Test and Evaluate Prototype- After constructing the prototype, a test is preformed to find flaws; instead we chose two possibilities and listed the pros and cons that were obvious, such as which a test would provide.
7. Communicate Design- When testing is finished, the solution is spread to the public; for us we decided that in our theoretical solution we would share the idea with SpaceX, in reality we shared our project with our class.
8. Redesign- Finally after completing the past steps the design is reconstructed to rid it of flaws and make it more efficient; with my group we decided that the solar sailed spacecraft would not be able to carry human life so a different propulsion system would be used for that purpose.
9. Repeat- At any point during this process a step can be repeated and revised; an example of our group doing this is when we decided to pursue the propulsion system which meant we had to research the topic again and gather new evidence and data.
Reflection:
During the project my team experienced low points with focus and time management, and high points with communication and teamwork. While working we often got distracted and off task. During the last day left to work in class we were unable to complete any work because we were talking with the group next to us. These distractions also caused us to fall behind on our schedule. To make up for the lost time we had to finish the power point on our own time and leave out some information that would add to our presentation. However we were able to finish the project and do well on it. Our team communicated extremely well by always checking in. An example of our communication is when we decided on a final solution by conversing with one another, because we discussed our options at length the project carried on. Teamwork also helped us complete the project on time. After falling behind we each chose two slides to work on at the same time which allowed us to finish quicker and more effectively. Our team fell into pits because of our lack of focus and time management but by communicating and working as a team we finished on time.
My team was given the task of finding and addressing a world problem. We decided to research and plan a way to travel in space because of the prediction Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking made; if we don't leave Earth within 100 years the human race will go extinct. With this new found reason for space exploration we decided that we wanted to find and create a new and better propulsion system. Our result left us with the two options of either nuclear fusion or solar sails. We weighed the abilities of each in a power point as our final presentation.
Engineering Design Cycle Steps:
1. Identify Need- The first step is identifying a need or finding a problem that needs to be solved; in the case of my team we understood that humankind needs to become more involved in space travel once again.
2. Research Problem- The next step is to research and gather data of the problem at hand; our team used trusted sources to find more information on space projects and the necessity for a space program.
3. Develop Possible Solutions- Then in order to continue, solutions need to be found; our project required us to brainstorm 20 possible solutions.
4. Select the most promising solution- To progress the list must be slimmed down to the best possible idea; for my team we chose to advance with the idea of the spacecraft's propulsion system.
5. Construct a prototype- Next a prototype is built to insure that the idea is feasible; unfortunately our team does not have access to the billions of dollars needed to build an engine prototype but we did formulate an idea of the engine needed.
6. Test and Evaluate Prototype- After constructing the prototype, a test is preformed to find flaws; instead we chose two possibilities and listed the pros and cons that were obvious, such as which a test would provide.
7. Communicate Design- When testing is finished, the solution is spread to the public; for us we decided that in our theoretical solution we would share the idea with SpaceX, in reality we shared our project with our class.
8. Redesign- Finally after completing the past steps the design is reconstructed to rid it of flaws and make it more efficient; with my group we decided that the solar sailed spacecraft would not be able to carry human life so a different propulsion system would be used for that purpose.
9. Repeat- At any point during this process a step can be repeated and revised; an example of our group doing this is when we decided to pursue the propulsion system which meant we had to research the topic again and gather new evidence and data.
Reflection:
During the project my team experienced low points with focus and time management, and high points with communication and teamwork. While working we often got distracted and off task. During the last day left to work in class we were unable to complete any work because we were talking with the group next to us. These distractions also caused us to fall behind on our schedule. To make up for the lost time we had to finish the power point on our own time and leave out some information that would add to our presentation. However we were able to finish the project and do well on it. Our team communicated extremely well by always checking in. An example of our communication is when we decided on a final solution by conversing with one another, because we discussed our options at length the project carried on. Teamwork also helped us complete the project on time. After falling behind we each chose two slides to work on at the same time which allowed us to finish quicker and more effectively. Our team fell into pits because of our lack of focus and time management but by communicating and working as a team we finished on time.