Lesson .
.Satellite Solver: A 'Pi in the Sky' Math Challenge
Jet Propulsion Laboratory https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/ Last Updated: Oct. 11, 2024
Subject
Math
Grade Levels
6-5
Time Required
Under 30 mins
Overview
The "Pi in the Sky" math challenge gives students a chance to take part in recent discoveries and upcoming celestial events, all while using math and pi just like NASA scientists and engineers. In this problem from the set, students use the mathematical constant pi to calculate how long it will take an Earth satellite to image the entire planet.
Materials
- Pi in the Sky: Satellite Solver worksheet – download PDF
- Pi in the Sky answer key (first problem) – download PDF
Procedures
- The Soil Moisture Active Passive, or SMAP, satellite is designed to image 1,000-kilometer-wide swaths of Earth from a near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit 685 kilometers above Earth’s surface. How many days will it take SMAP to image all of Earth’s surface? (You may disregard any overlap that may occur.)
Assessment
Extensions
Pi Day Challenges
- Pi in the Sky
- Pi in the Sky 2
- Pi in the Sky 3
- Pi in the Sky 4
- Pi in the Sky Challenge (slideshow for students)
Multimedia
Features
Websites