Signal Sprint at Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex

Deep Space Communication Adventure Pack

Across the Mojave Desert, massive dish antennas are turning… but something is wrong.

Spacecraft signals are arriving out of sync. Command systems are delayed. Telemetry data is fragmenting across the network. Ari Raider has detected a disruption in deep space communication, and if the signal system is not restored, distant missions could lose contact with Earth.

In Signal Sprint at Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, students deploy the Ion Dish Rover and enter a high-stakes space engineering mission. By exploring how antennas transmit and receive radio waves, how signal delay affects communication across vast distances, and how networks track spacecraft, explorers must repair the communication chain and reconnect Earth with deep space.

This adventure blends engineering, physics, and space exploration with story-driven problem solving.

About This Adventure Pack

Signal Sprint at Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex is designed for elementary explorers and connects directly to an interactive online adventure.

Students can complete the Signal Sprint at Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex 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 Signal Sprint at Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex adventure here:
Coming Soon

For families or classrooms that want to extend the experience, this Adventure Pack adds collectible cards and hands-on components that bring the communication 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 Signal Sprint at Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex Adventure Pack explores core deep space communication concepts, including:

• Antenna – A device that sends or receives radio signals
• Radio Wave – A type of energy wave used to carry information through space
• Transmit – To send a signal or message
• Receive – To collect or pick up a signal
• Signal Delay – The time it takes for a message to travel across large distances
• Command – Instructions sent to control a spacecraft or system
• Telemetry – Data sent back from a spacecraft to Earth
• Network – A connected system of devices that share information
• Tracking – Monitoring the position and movement of an object

Each topic appears naturally within the adventure and is required to move the story forward, reinforcing understanding through exploration and problem solving 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

Controlling giant dish antennas, solving space signal challenges, reconnecting distant spacecraft, and uncovering a real mystery specimen makes science feel futuristic and powerful.

Why Teachers and Parents Love It

Signal Sprint at Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex supports elementary STEM standards through clear explanations of waves, communication systems, and data networks. The adventure encourages engineering thinking, systems reasoning, and real-world application of science concepts.

The adventure works for whole-class instruction, small groups, or independent learning — with or without the physical pack.

Free Adventure Option

Signal Sprint at Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex 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 Signal Sprint at Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex adventure here:
Coming Soon