Egg Drop From Space

From Egg Drop Dreams to Space-Bound Adventures

I never imagined that a simple school project would lead me to chase the world record for the highest egg drop, pushing the limits of engineering and facing unexpected challenges along the way.

This journey tested my resolve, blending excitement with the risk of failure as I strived to protect a raw egg from shattering upon impact from extreme heights.

As I began this project three years ago, my initial idea was straightforward: build a device to protect a raw egg during a fall from the greatest height possible. I calculated that to set a lasting record, I needed to go beyond Earth’s buildings and into space, drawing inspiration from planetary landings to ensure the egg’s survival.

The plan involved attaching the egg to a rocket on a weather balloon, which would carry it up before releasing it to fall at supersonic speeds. I divided the task into smaller steps, starting with determining the egg’s terminal velocity—around 120 km/h—by balancing gravity against air resistance, much like how humans reach about 190 km/h in free fall.

For the first test, without a tall enough building, I improvised by dropping from a high point onto a cushion; it worked, showing the egg could withstand the impact. Encouraged, I collaborated with friends in Gerlach, California, where we built the world’s largest foam pad for landing and tested rocket guidance using fins.

One key partner was Joe, a self-taught engineer who had mastered rocket landings like SpaceX’s. He handled tracking and steering, while I focused on protecting the egg from freezing during ascent with a heated enclosure that would separate before descent.

We conducted a diagnostic test from 3 kilometers, aiming to guide the rocket precisely, but encountered issues like interference from tracking devices that disrupted signals. Despite preparations, the first launch failed when the egg ejected prematurely, forcing us to vent the helium and start over.

The next attempt faced more problems: the balloon ascended slower than expected, veered off course, and the rocket spun uncontrollably due to fin issues. We recovered the wreckage but found the egg broken, adding to our frustrations after multiple failures.

Seeking expertise, I consulted Adam Steltzner, a NASA engineer involved in Mars rover landings. He pointed out flaws in our guidance system, suggesting we adopt a more robust design like Curiosity’s, with parachutes and airbags for a controlled descent.

We scrapped the original setup and spent two months redesigning: the new rocket was longer, heavier, and featured fixed fins, with the rear separating mid-descent to reduce speed below supersonic levels. We added a parachute and airbag system, inspired by Spirit and Opportunity rovers, to cushion the final impact.

Testing in the desert, we used a piece of Curiosity’s actual parachute material, which I had kept from my NASA days, to ensure authenticity. The setup included heaters to prevent freezing and a backup beach ball with another egg for redundancy.

Finally, on the launch day, we used a zero-pressure balloon capable of reaching space without bursting. Despite a last-minute cancellation due to integration issues, we fixed the problems and launched successfully on the next try.

The balloon ascended as planned, but complications arose when the rocket tangled, causing a rapid fall. Fortunately, the backup system activated: the egg in the beach ball separated, deployed its parachute, and landed safely on airbags, surviving intact.

This marked the end of our trials, with both eggs making it through, proving that meticulous planning and backups could turn failures into success.

Through this adventure, I realized that engineering is as much about adapting to setbacks as it is about innovation; the lessons learned will inspire future projects and underscore the importance of persistence in achieving the extraordinary.

Looking ahead, this experience reinforces how real-world challenges drive meaningful progress, encouraging others to embrace experimentation and resilience in their own endeavors.

Key Takeaways

• Breaking complex projects into smaller steps ensures manageable progress and easier identification of issues.

• Learning from failures, like signal interference and structural weaknesses, is crucial for refining designs.

• Incorporating redundancy, such as backup systems, increases the chances of success in high-stakes experiments.

• Collaboration with experts can provide valuable insights, as seen with NASA-inspired modifications.

• Ultimate success came from persistence, leading to a safe egg drop and broader lessons in engineering and problem-solving.