KNEX Missions In Space 15118 User manual

he Space Race ended
in 1975 when Apollo 18
from the US docked with
Russia’s Soyuz 19 in
orbit. This was the first
time spacecraft from two
countries connected.
Today, countries help each
other with space projects.
This cooperation has
made the hard work of
space exploration easier.
Now space programs
around the world share
research, machines,
spacecraft and ideas.
In 1983 the European
Space Agency built
Spacelab, which was
carried into orbit by a
US Space Shuttle. And
in 1995 the US Space
Shuttle Atlantis docked
with the Russian Mir
Space Station. This made
the largest spacecraft
ever to orbit around the
Earth.
ountries used to work alone on space
projects. Each one wanted to be the
first to do something new. That’s why this
time in history is
often referred to as
“The Space Race.”
The Russians were
the first to launch a
satellite, an animal,
a man and a woman
into space. They also
made the first space
walk.
The United States had its firsts, too.
The Mercury and Gemini programs led to the
first docking of spacecraft in orbit. And
America won the space race by landing the
first man on the moon during the Apollo
missions. Another US first was the Lunar
Roving Vehicle or LRV. The LRV was a
battery-powered car that helped the
astronauts drive around on the moon.
C
T
Apollo 18 from the US docking
with Russia’s Soyuz 19
Moon Walk
Technicians in
shuttle cockpit
The Space Race
1950 to 1975
Working Together in Space
1975 to Today

t’s easier to build things on earth than in space,
so pieces of the ISS will be built on Earth and
flown into space. Some of the pieces are the size
of a school bus, and some are even larger!
The pieces will be flown into space and put
together by astronauts. Just think of the ISS as
a giant model. It will take 45 Space Shuttle
missions and over 4 years to carry the pieces
of the ISS into orbit. That’s about one Shuttle
launch each month. Russia, Japan and the
European Space Agency will also launch rockets
carrying parts of the ISS.
Astronauts will walk in space and use special tools
to put the ISS together. It will take over 2,000 hours
of space walks to put the ISS pieces together. That’s
more time in space than all the other space walks
combined!
The International Space Station
-Global Teamwork -
ow that countries are working together, amazing
things are happening in space exploration. The
most incredible is the International Space Station, or ISS.
The ISS is a huge laboratory
in space where astronauts
and scientists from 16
different countries will
live for months at a
time. The learning
that takes place on
the ISS will one day
be used to help
humans travel to
Mars and beyond.
The station will be
larger than a football
field and the part of the
ISS where astronauts will
live and work will be bigger
than a 747 jet plane. The ISS will
be so big you will be able to see it pass
overhead from your backyard.
I
A Construction
Site 250 Miles
in Space
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Space Shuttle ready for take off!

Flying Robot Camera - NASA has developed a flying camera that looks
like a soccer ball. The camera will zoom through space inspecting
the ISS while the astronauts watch from a safe spot inside the
station.
Escape Pod - A special Crew
Return Vehicle called the X-38
is being designed. This will be
an escape pod or life-boat for
astronauts in case of an emergency.
The X-38 has no wings, but its shape
will allow it to sail through the Earth’s
atmosphere safely.
Living in a Balloon - The
ISS crew will live and
work inside a giant
balloon called the
TRANSHAB module. The
walls of the balloon are
12 inches thick and will
be tough enough to stop
an object moving seven
times faster than a
bullet. TRANSHAB will
contain a kitchen,
hospital, bedrooms and
more. The balloon will
be carried into space in
the Space Shuttle’s cargo
bay and inflated in orbit.
Zero Gravity - Because
there is no gravity in space,
astronauts will weigh the
same as pieces of the ISS.
Some of these pieces weigh
10 tons on Earth.
Robotic arms - Huge,
strong robot arms will be
used to move the pieces of
the ISS into place. Then
astronauts will bolt the
pieces together.
New Space Suits - New
space suits have been
designed for the astronauts
building the ISS. These suits
are tougher and will last
longer. Each suit will have a
built-in radio and a jet pack
to fly an astronaut back to
the station if a safety rope
breaks.
X-38 Escape Pod
Astronaut in space suit
TRANSHAB module
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Far Out Facts
About the ISS

16 Countries - 1 Mission
For cool pictures and even more
information on the INTERNATIONAL
SPACE STATION visit NASA’s official
ISS Web site at:
www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/station
And to find out more about other
exciting MISSIONS IN SPACE
models from K’NEX, visit our
Web site at: www.knex.com
Learn how bridges stay up, machines
work, roller coasters stay on track,
and so much more. Check it out at:
www.knexeducation.com
The information and images
presented have been derived from
NASA’s official Web site in
accordance with NASA’s guidelines
for the use and reproduction of NASA
material for educational purposes.
Additional Information
The following 16 countries are working together to
build the ISS. Their contributions are listed below:
2 Laboratories,
TRANSHAB Module,
1. UNITED STATES 3 Connection Nodes,
Solar Panels,
X-38 Crew Return Vehicle,
Truss (Scaffolding)
2. SPAIN
3. FRANCE
4. UNITED KINGDOM
5. BELGIUM
6. NETHERLANDS
7. NORWAY Columbus Orbital Facility Lab,
8. SWEDEN Robotic Arm
9. DENMARK
10. GERMANY
11. SWITZERLAND
12. ITALY
13. RUSSIA 11 Orbital Modules
14. CANADA 2 Robotic Arms
15. JAPAN KIBO Laboratory,
Experiment platform
16. BRAZIL Logistics Carrier,
Express Pallet

Each K’NEX piece has its own color and shape;
match it to pieces in the picture instructions.
Put pieces together exactly as pictures show.
Be sure to put Rods in the correct slots of
Connectors, so you have proper angles in your
finished model. Install batteries before building
models. The instructions get you going, but the
fun doesn’t stop there. Design your own models!
It’s very important to position blue and silver
Connectors in a specific direction. Pay close atten-
tion to the instructions, and position these
Connectors horizontally or vertically exactly as they
are shown. Push together tightly until you hear a
“click”.
K’NEX Building Tips / Safety Information
Keep this important information for future
reference.
•Do not connect model to more than one
PowerPackTM.
•Remove rechargeable batteries from model
before charging; they must be charged only
under adult supervision.
•Non-rechargeable batteries must not be
recharged.
•Do not mix different types of batteries; do not
mix alkaline, standard (carbon-zinc), or
rechargeable (nickel-cadmium) batteries. Do
not mix new and used batteries. Only batteries
of the same or equivalent type recommended
should be used.
•Insert batteries with correct polarity (+/–) as
shown.
•Remove exhausted batteries from model;
do not short-circuit supply terminals.
•Keep PowerPackTM free of dust; do not immerse
or use in water.
•Alkaline batteries AA (LR6) are
recommended.
•Do not put small black Rods in any openings
of the PowerPackTM; they will damage the
motor, and cannot be removed.
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Faded colors indicate sections previously built;
connecting points will be in full color.
LOOK OUT! When you see this symbol
on the instructions, pay close attention
to the area being pointed out.
It’s important to build this section correctly, or
the model may not work properly.
Pay close attention to the number of blue and
silver Spacers needed.
CAUTION: Rubber Bands can cause injury
from snap-back, breaking, or loss of control.
While assembling models shown in instructions,
hold Rubber Band tightly, and do not over-
stretch. Use Rubber Bands only as shown in
these instructions. DO NOT USE FRAYED OR
TORN RUBBER BANDS.
CAUTION: Keep hands, face, hair, clothing
and Power Cord away from all moving parts.
!
WARNING: As with all small items, these
batteries should be kept away from children. If
swallowed, seek medical attention immediately.
•The sound module comes with 3 batteries
already installed for you.
•To replace batteries, remove screw. Insert 3
button cell LR44 batteries (A76 or SR44),
matching the (+/-) diagram inside the
compartment.
CAUTION! Do not use close to the ear! Misuse
may cause damage to hearing.
!
!

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