Ep 14. Space Junk
- December 29, 2016
Ready Jet Go! is a show that aims to teach children about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through the adventures of Jet, his friends, and their travels through space. Season 3 episode 14, titled "Space Junk," follows the gang as they learn about the dangers of space debris and how to keep their own spaceship safe.
The episode begins with Jet, Sydney, Sean, and Mindy exploring space in their spaceship, the Propulson 3000. Suddenly, they hear a loud banging noise and realize they have collided with a piece of space debris. They quickly head back to their home base, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, to assess the damage and figure out how to prevent future collisions.
At the lab, the gang meets Sean's mom, who is an engineer specializing in space debris. She explains to them that space debris is a big problem in space, as there are millions of pieces of junk orbiting Earth that can cause damage to spacecraft like theirs. She shows them a map of all the objects in space that could potentially collide with their ship and explains how they can use radar to detect and avoid them.
The kids are then taken on a field trip to a special facility that monitors space debris. They learn about the different types of junk in space, from old satellites to pieces of rockets and even tiny meteoroids. They also see how scientists use lasers to track the debris and calculate their trajectories in order to avoid collisions.
After the field trip, the gang decides to make some changes to their spaceship to make it safer from collisions. They add new sensors and a shield to protect against smaller pieces of debris, and they also come up with a plan to avoid the larger pieces by adjusting their trajectory. They test their new modifications in space and successfully avoid colliding with any more debris.
Throughout the episode, the gang emphasizes the importance of keeping space clean and safe for all future explorers. They learn about the consequences of leaving junk in orbit, such as the risk of collision and the creation of even more debris as objects break up and collide with each other. By the end of the episode, they have not only made their own spacecraft safer, but also gained a new appreciation for the responsibility that comes with exploring the final frontier.
Overall, "Space Junk" is a fun and educational episode of Ready Jet Go! that teaches kids about the importance of space debris mitigation and the steps that scientists and engineers take to keep our spacecraft safe. With engaging characters, exciting space adventures, and a solid STEM curriculum, this show is sure to inspire the next generation of explorers and innovators.