Orbit Ops at Spaceport America

Gravity & Orbits Adventure Pack

Above the desert runways of Spaceport America, orbital systems are drifting.

Satellite paths are shifting out of alignment. Speed and altitude readings are mismatched. Elliptical trajectories are widening beyond safe limits. Ari Raider has detected a disruption in the gravity network and needs explorers to stabilize orbital mechanics before communication satellites fall off course.

In Orbit Ops at Spaceport America, students are dropped into a high-stakes spaceflight mission focused on the forces that govern motion in space. By learning how gravity pulls objects into orbit, how speed determines altitude, and how centripetal force keeps satellites circling Earth, explorers must correct trajectory errors and secure stable revolutions around the planet.

This adventure blends physics and space science with story, exploration, and optional hands-on discovery.

About This Adventure Pack

Orbit Ops at Spaceport America is designed for elementary explorers and connects directly to an interactive online adventure.

Students can complete the Orbit Ops at Spaceport America adventure online for free, including access to free printable trading cards that match this experience. The online adventure delivers the full learning and story-driven mission without requiring a physical kit.

👉 Explore the free Orbit Ops at Spaceport America adventure here:
Coming Soon

For families or classrooms that want to extend the experience, this Adventure Pack adds a hands-on excavation and collectible cards that bring the orbital physics mission into the physical world.

The learning experience is the same whether students use the physical pack or not. The pack simply adds a tactile, collectible layer to the adventure.

What This Adventure Covers

Each Orbit Ops at Spaceport America Adventure Pack explores core gravity and orbital motion concepts, including:

• Gravity – The force that pulls objects toward one another
• Orbit – The curved path of an object around a planet
• Speed – The rate of motion needed to maintain orbit
• Altitude – The height above Earth’s surface
• Ellipse – The oval-shaped path of many orbits
• Revolution – One complete trip around a planet
• Satellite – An object that orbits a planet
• Centripetal Force – The inward force keeping an object in circular motion
• Escape Speed – The velocity needed to break free from gravity

Each topic appears naturally within the adventure and is required to move the story forward, reinforcing learning through exploration rather than memorization.

What’s Inside the Pack

• Adventure-Filled Field Pack (6×9 Adventure Pouch)
• Adventure Mission Card
• Interactive Online Adventure
• Knowledge Card Pack
• Mystery Dig Kit
• Dig Stick Tool
• Cleaning Wipe
• Mystery Collectible Specimen (Gemlet)
• Gemlet Storage Container
• Excavating Adventures Sticker

Why Kids Love It

Correcting satellite paths, stabilizing orbital motion, solving gravity challenges, and uncovering a real mystery specimen makes learning feel like managing real space traffic above Earth.

Why Teachers and Parents Love It

Orbit Ops at Spaceport America supports physical science and STEM standards through clear force-and-motion concepts, real-world space applications, and flexible classroom or at-home use. The adventure works for whole-class instruction, small groups, or independent learning — with or without the physical pack.

Free Adventure Option

Orbit Ops at Spaceport America is also available online for free, including free printable trading cards that align directly with this adventure. No purchase is required to participate.

This reflects our mission at Excavating Adventures: to make engaging, story-driven adventures accessible to everyone.

👉 Explore the free Orbit Ops at Spaceport America adventure here:
Coming Soon