Journey to Space

Google Ma(p)th
Journey to Space I

Launch into a cosmic quest to pinpoint a legendary space exploration hub in Florida! Solve mathematical puzzles by Googling key facts to reveal its latitude and longitude. The more you know, the faster you'll go! Download a printable version to follow along!

Puzzle 1A: Whole Number of Latitude

Find the product of the days in a week and the seasons in a year to plan a rocket’s orbits.

Multiply the number of days in a week by the number of seasons in a year.

You've unveiled the whole number of the latitude: 28! Latitude: 28, Longitude: 0

Puzzle 1B: First Three Decimal Digits of Latitude

Take the product of the average Earth–Sun distance in millions of miles and Jupiter’s order from the Sun, then add the number of known chemical elements.

Multiply the Earth–Sun distance by Jupiter’s position, then add the number of chemical elements.

You've unveiled the first three decimal digits: 583! Latitude: 28.583, Longitude: 0

Puzzle 1C: Final Three Decimal Digits of Latitude

Calculate 10 to the power of 3 times Earth’s place from the Sun, then add the Earth–Sun distance in millions of miles for a probe’s signal count.

Raise 10 to the power of 3, multiply by Earth’s position, then add the Earth–Sun distance.

You've unveiled the full latitude: 28.5833093! Latitude: 28.5833093, Longitude: 0

Puzzle 2A: Whole Number of Longitude

Find the product of the planets in our solar system and the years in a decade for a space station’s reports.

Multiply the number of planets by the years in a decade.

You've unveiled the whole number of the longitude: -80! Latitude: 28.5833093, Longitude: -80

Puzzle 2B: First Three Decimal Digits of Longitude

Take the product of the letters in the English alphabet and the freezing point of water in Fahrenheit.

Multiply the number of alphabet letters by the freezing point of water in Fahrenheit.

You've unveiled the first three decimal digits: 832! Latitude: 28.5833093, Longitude: -80.832

Puzzle 2C: Final Four Decimal Digits of Longitude

Calculate 10 to the power of 3 times the sum of Earth’s place from the Sun and seasons, add 100 times the number of planets, then add the syllables in a haiku for a rover’s data bits.

Multiply 1000 by the sum of Earth’s position and seasons, add 100 times the planets, then add haiku syllables.

You've unveiled the full longitude: -80.8327817! Latitude: 28.5833093, Longitude: -80.8327817

Congratulations! You've uncovered the Kennedy Space Center!

1. What major space missions launched from this site?

2. How has the Kennedy Space Center contributed to space exploration?

3. What role does this location play in modern spaceflight?

Official Kennedy Space Center

NASA Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center History

Journey to Space II

Google Ma(p)th
Journey to Space II

Embark on an epic mathematical voyage through the cosmos to pinpoint the coordinates of a revolutionary facility where humanity's dreams of interplanetary travel take flight. Solve space-themed puzzles to reveal this hub of innovation and exploration!

For a printable classroom activity, visit Teachers Pay Teachers.

Puzzle 1A: Whole Number of Latitude

Take the number of astronauts who walked on the Moon during the Apollo program, multiply by the number of moons that orbit Mars, then add Earth’s natural moon. What is the total?

Incorrect! Try again.
Seek the tally of lunar explorers from the eagle's era, times the satellites of the red warrior, plus our solitary celestial companion.

You've unveiled the latitude's whole number: 25! Latitude: 25, Longitude: 0

Puzzle 1B: First Three Decimal Digits of Latitude

Multiply the number of official constellations recognized by astronomers by the number of toes on two human feet, then add the number of minutes in the first human orbital flight around Earth. What do you get?

Incorrect! Try again.
The stellar maps divided by international accord, times the appendages on pedestrian pairs, plus the duration of the pioneer in orbit.

You've unveiled the first three decimal digits: 988! Latitude: 25.988, Longitude: 0

Puzzle 1C: Final Four Decimal Digits of Latitude

Multiply the number of days in a leap year by the number of continents on Earth. What is the product?

Incorrect! Try again.
The extended cycle of solar traversal times the grand divisions of terra firma.

You've unveiled the final four decimal digits: 2562! Latitude: 25.9882562, Longitude: 0

Puzzle 2A: Whole Number of Longitude

Add the number of official constellations to the number of planets if you include Pluto. What is the sum?

Incorrect! Try again.
The astral figures in the night sky plus the wanderers, counting the distant icy one.

You've unveiled the longitude's whole number: 97! Latitude: 25.9882562, Longitude: -97

Puzzle 2B: First Four Decimal Digits of Longitude

Take the speed of light expressed in thousands of miles per second, multiply by the number of fingers on both hands, then add the number of planets in the solar system. What is the result?

Incorrect! Try again.
The velocity of photons in rounded thousands per tick, times manual extremities, plus the orbiting spheres around Sol.

You've unveiled the first four decimal digits: 1868! Latitude: 25.9882562, Longitude: -97.1868

Puzzle 2C: Final Three Decimal Digits of Longitude

Multiply the number of minutes in the first human orbital flight by the number of planets in the solar system, then add the number of months in six years. What total do you find?

Incorrect! Try again.
The span of the initial encirclement of Gaia times the family of worlds, plus half a dozen annual cycles' phases.

You've unveiled the final three decimal digits: 936! Latitude: 25.9882562, Longitude: -97.1868936

Congratulations! You've discovered the coordinates: 25.9882562, -97.1868936 – the SpaceX Starbase!

  1. What innovations in reusable rocketry are being pioneered at this site?
  2. Why is the geographical location advantageous for space launches?
  3. What potential impacts does this facility have on future interplanetary missions?

Journey to Space III

Google Mapth
Journey to Space III

Embark on a cosmic quest to uncover a legendary hub where rockets soar and space dreams are born, nestled in the heart of the southeastern United States.

Need a printable version? Check out the Teachers Pay Teachers activity.

Puzzle 1A: Whole Number of Latitude

Add the number of letters in the English alphabet to the number of planets in our solar system. What do you get?

Think about the standard English alphabet and the planets orbiting our Sun.
Incorrect. Try again! Learn about the solar system.

You've unveiled the latitude's whole number: 34! Latitude: 34, Longitude: 0

Puzzle 1B: First Three Decimal Digits of Latitude

Multiply the number of official constellations recognized by astronomers by the number of planets in our solar system, then add the number of days in a week. What is the total?

Consider the standard number of constellations used in astronomy and the days in a standard week.
Incorrect. Try again! Learn about constellations.

You've unveiled the first three decimal digits: 711! Latitude: 34.711, Longitude: 0. Do you have a clue where we are headed?

Puzzle 1C: Final Four Decimal Digits of Latitude

Find the number of minutes in seven hours and subtract the number of geographic poles on Earth. Write your answer as four digits with a leading zero.

Calculate the total minutes in seven hours and consider Earth's geographic poles.
Incorrect. Try again! Learn about Earth's poles.

You've unveiled the full latitude: 34.7110418! Latitude: 34.7110418, Longitude: 0

Puzzle 2A: Whole Number of Longitude

Subtract the number of moons that orbit Mars from the number of official constellations recognized by astronomers. What remains?

Mars has a small number of moons, and astronomers recognize a fixed number of constellations.
Incorrect. Try again! Learn about Mars' moons.

You've unveiled the longitude's whole number: 86! Latitude: 34.7110418, Longitude: -86

Puzzle 2B: First Three Decimal Digits of Longitude

Start with the number of seconds in eleven minutes. From that, subtract the number of interlocking rings in the Olympic symbol. What number do you reach?

Calculate seconds in eleven minutes and consider the Olympic symbol's design.
Incorrect. Try again! Learn about the Olympic rings.

You've unveiled the first three decimal digits: 655! Latitude: 34.7110418, Longitude: -86.655

Puzzle 2C: Final Four Decimal Digits of Longitude

Multiply the number of official constellations by the number of major layers in Earth’s atmosphere, then add the product of the number of planets and the number of decades in a century, and finally add Earth’s natural satellite. Write your answer as four digits with a leading zero.

Consider the major layers of Earth's atmosphere, the number of constellations, planets, decades in a century, and Earth's moon.
Incorrect. Try again! Learn about Earth's atmosphere.

You've unveiled the full longitude: -86.6550521! Latitude: 34.7110418, Longitude: -86.6550521

Congratulations! You've located a hub of space exploration history!

Discussion Questions

1. What role did this hub play in the development of U.S. space exploration?

2. How has rocket technology advanced at this location?

3. Why is preserving space exploration history important for future generations?

YouTube Video

Journey to Space IV

Google Ma(p)th
Journey to Space Quest IV

Blast off on a stellar mission to uncover a legendary aviation and space exploration landmark! Solve cosmic puzzles to reveal its coordinates. Googling can be an ally—but the more you know, the faster you'll go! For a printable classroom activity, visit Teachers Pay Teachers.

Puzzle 1A: Whole Number of Latitude

Add the number of astronauts who flew to the Moon during the Apollo era to the original Mercury astronaut group size, then add the count of Space Shuttle orbiters that actually flew in space, and finally add Earth’s geographic poles. What is the total?

Think about key space program milestones: the Apollo Moon missions, the Mercury Seven, the Space Shuttle fleet, and Earth's polar regions.

Incorrect. Try again or check these resources: NASA Apollo, Mercury Program, Space Shuttle.

You've unveiled the latitude's whole number: 38! Latitude: 38, Longitude: 0. Do you have a clue where we are headed?

Puzzle 1B: First Three Decimal Digits of Latitude

Find the number of seconds in a quarter hour, then add the number of planets if you include Pluto. What do you get?

A quarter hour is a fraction of an hour, and the solar system’s planet count changes if Pluto is included.

Incorrect. Try again or check these resources: NASA Planets.

You've unveiled the first three decimal digits: 909! Latitude: 38.909, Longitude: 0. Do you have a clue where we are headed?

Puzzle 1C: Final Three Decimal Digits of Latitude

Determine the number of minutes in six Earth days, then subtract twice the number of constellations listed in Ptolemy’s ancient star catalog. What is the result?

Calculate total minutes in six days, then consider Ptolemy’s Almagest for constellation count.

Incorrect. Try again or check these resources: Ptolemy’s Almagest.

You've unveiled the full latitude: 38.9098544! Latitude: 38.9098544, Longitude: 0. Do you have a clue where we are headed?

Puzzle 2A: Whole Number of Longitude

Add the approximate years in one orbit of Halley’s Comet to Earth’s natural satellite count. What total do you find?

Halley’s Comet has a well-known orbital period, and Earth has a single natural satellite.

Incorrect. Try again or check these resources: Halley’s Comet.

You've unveiled the longitude's whole number: 77! Latitude: 38.9098544, Longitude: -77. Do you have a clue where we are headed?

Puzzle 2B: First Three Decimal Digits of Longitude

Take the number of seconds in a quarter hour and divide by the number of Earth’s hemispheres. What is the quotient?

A quarter hour’s seconds divided by Earth’s two hemispheres gives a clean number.

Incorrect. Try again or check these resources: Earth’s Hemispheres.

You've unveiled the first three decimal digits: 450! Latitude: 38.9098544, Longitude: -77.450. Do you have a clue where we are headed?

Puzzle 2C: Final Four Decimal Digits of Longitude

Take half of the number of constellations officially recognized by the IAU. Write your answer as a three-digit number with a leading zero.

The IAU recognizes a specific number of constellations; halve it and format with a leading zero.

Incorrect. Try again or check these resources: IAU Constellations.

Congratulations! You've uncovered the coordinates: 38.9098544, -77.450044! Welcome to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center!

Discussion Questions

1. What role does the Udvar-Hazy Center play in preserving aviation and space history?
2. How have aircraft and spacecraft at this museum shaped modern exploration?
3. Why is this location a fitting place for an aerospace landmark?

Video