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Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Space Exploration
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Space Exploration explores rocket propulsion, orbital mechanics, planetary probes, and human spaceflight. You will design an inhabited extraterrestrial base, track satellite orbits, and study NASA missions. Requirement 3 is the hands-on highlight: building, prepping, launching, and recovering an engine-powered model rocket.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Rocket Propulsion & Newton’s Third Law
- Building & Launching Model Rockets
- Orbital Mechanics, Satellites & Space Probes
- Human Spaceflight, Space Stations & Mars
7Printable Pages
8Requirements
2026Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Space Exploration Requirements
Every requirement for the Space Exploration merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1The Purpose of Space Exploration
Tell the purpose of space exploration and include the following:
- a Historical reasons
- b Immediate goals in terms of specific knowledge
- c Benefits related to Earth resources, technology, and new products
- d International relations and cooperation
2A Collector's Card
Design a collector's card, with a picture on the front and information on the back, about your favorite space pioneer. Share your card and discuss four other space pioneers with your counselor.
3Safety and First Aid
Build, launch, and recover a model rocket. Make a second launch to accomplish a specific objective. Identify and explain the following rocket parts: Safety Note: Rocket must be built to meet the safety code of the National Association of Rocketry. See the "Model Rocketry" section of the Space Exploration merit badge. Alternative Requirement: If local laws prohibit launching model rockets, do the following activity: Make a model of a NASA rocket. Explain the functions of the parts. Give the history of the rocket.
- a Body tube
- b Engine mount
- c Fins
- d Igniter
- e Launch lug
- f Nose cone
- g Payload
- h Recovery system
- i Rocket engine
4Rockets, Orbits, and Satellite Imaging
Discuss and demonstrate each of the following:
- a The law of action-reaction
- b How rocket engines work
- c How satellites stay in orbit
- d How satellite pictures of Earth and pictures of other planets are made and transmitted
5Robotic Missions
Do TWO of the following:
- a Discuss with your counselor a robotic space exploration mission and a historic crewed mission. Tell about each mission's major discoveries, its importance, and what was learned from it about the planets, moons, or regions of space explored.
- b Using articles from the internet, photographs and text, create a blog, website, or slide show about a current planetary mission or use magazine photographs, news clippings, and articles from the internet to make a scrapbook about a current planetary mission.
- c Design a robotic mission to another planet, moon, comet, or asteroid that will return samples of its surface to Earth. Name the planet, moon, comet, or asteroid your spacecraft will visit. Show how your design will cope with the conditions of the environments of the planet, moon, comet, or asteroid.
6A Crewed Vehicle or the ISS
Describe the purpose, operation, and components of ONE of the following:
- a Space shuttle or any other crewed orbital vehicle, whether government-owned (U.S. or foreign) or commercial
- b International Space Station
7Design an Inhabited Base
Design an inhabited base located within our solar system, such as Titan, asteroids, or other locations that humans might want to explore in person. Make drawings or a model of your base. In your design, consider and plan for the following:
- a Source of energy
- b How it will be constructed
- c Life-support system
- d Purpose and function
8Careers
Explore careers related to this merit badge. Research one career to learn about the training and education needed, costs, job prospects, salary, job duties, and career advancement. Your research methods may include—with your parent or guardian's permission—an internet or library search, an interview with a professional in the field, or a visit to a location where people in this career work. Discuss with your counselor both your findings and what about this profession might make it an interesting career.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Space Exploration requirements in 2026. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/space-exploration/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
Spotted a discrepancy on this sheet? Tell us and we will re-check it against the official requirements.
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