Before Beresheet can begin its historic journey to the Moon, the SpaceIL team will need to calculate the correct time to launch from Earth, known as the “launch window.” A successful mission requires everything to be in sync: the total distance, the speed, the orbit of both the Earth and the Moon, and the local weather around the launch. It is a very challenging process—after all, it is rocket science!
Try this easy-to-run (and fun) STEM activity enables learners to experience the challenge of finding the perfect launch window, just like SpaceIL.