Former NASA and Apple engineer Mark Rober successfully dropped an egg from space without it cracking.
Rober managed to send a raw egg into space and return it to Earth intact.
Former NASA and Apple engineer turned YouTuber, Mark Rober, has taken a classic science experiment to unprecedented heights.
Rober managed to send a raw egg into space and return it to Earth intact.
The egg drop challenge reimagined
The classic egg drop experiment, commonly performed in schools, involves designing a contraption to protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from a height.
Former NASA engineer Mark Rober successfully dropped an egg from space without it cracking. Image Credits: YouTube/Mark Rober
Mark Rober took this concept to a new extreme by attempting to drop an egg from space.
Initially, Rober considered dropping the egg from the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, standing at 828 meters (2,717 feet).
However, to truly push the boundaries, he opted to launch the egg into space instead.
The space mission
Rober’s plan involved placing the egg inside a specially designed rocket. This rocket was then carried to the edge of space by a weather balloon.
The rocket was equipped with a soft landing system to ensure the egg would not crack upon impact.
A significant challenge was protecting the egg during its journey.
Rober needed to insulate it to prevent freezing in the harsh environment of space. Otherwise, it would freeze during its journey into space and crack along the way.
Challenges and triumphs
The experiment faced a critical setback when the weather balloon encountered issues. This balloon was crucial for lifting the rocket into space.
Twisting cords wrapped around the string caused the balloon to collapse prematurely. As a result, the rocket hurtled back to Earth at 150 mph.
Despite this, the rocket’s ability to detach from the failing balloon and land independently proved crucial.
Remarkably, the rocket managed to jettison itself and complete a safe landing on Earth.
Mark’s team successfully retrieved the rocket and found that the egg remained intact.
Successful outcome
Upon retrieving the rocket, Rober discovered the egg was completely unbroken, validating the success of the ambitious experiment.
This achievement highlights the power of creative problem-solving and advanced engineering. It demonstrates how these skills can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Mark Rober’s space egg drop experiment not only redefines the limits of a simple science project but also showcases the innovative spirit of modern engineering.
The successful return of the egg from space underscores the incredible potential of creative scientific endeavors.
It serves as an inspiring example of pushing the boundaries of what is possible.