World's Highest Egg Drop Attempt

Objective

The goal is to design a contraption to protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from extreme heights. The ultimate aim was to drop an egg from space to future-proof the record.

Initial Plan

• Location: Outer space via a rocket attached to a weather balloon.
• Mechanism: After reaching space, rely on gravity to accelerate the rocket past mach one.
• Guidance: Autonomous fin adjustment to steer to a target location.
• Final Drop: Release the egg 300 ft above a mattress.

Key Tests and Discoveries

1. Terminal Velocity Calculation:

   • Terminal velocity for humans: ~120 MPH
   • Terminal velocity for an egg: ~75 MPH
   • Mattress testing proved effective in protecting the egg even at speeds greater than terminal velocity.

2. Test Site: Gridley, California for initial low altitude tests.

3. Challenges Encountered:

   • Interference from Metallic Streamer: Replacement with plastic to avoid GPS signal interference.
   • Trajectory issues: Balloon ascending slower than predicted, resulting in off-course drop.

4. Guidance System Flaw: Fins caused the rocket to spin uncontrollably. Fixed by correcting code errors.

Revisions and New Strategy

• Pivot: From precision-guided egg landing to a broader target strategy using lessons from NASA's Curiosity rover landing system.
• Improved Design:
  • Non-movable fins.
  • Larger and heavier rocket for supersonic descent.
  • Mid-descent separation and aerobraking.
  • Airbag cushioning.

Final Attempt

• Systemic Redesign: Sheath design for connection point and black powder charge for separation.
• Testing: Raw egg safety under vacuum and temperature conditions. Redundant egg landing systems using a beach ball.
• After Failure: Redeployment strategy addressed spinning and attachment issues.

Outcome and Conclusion

1. Successful Landing: Egg safely landed using two separate systems, demonstrating resilience and learning from past failures.
2. Reflection: Highlighted human potential for achieving remarkable and seemingly ludicrous feats through tenacity and problem-solving.

Educational Initiative

• CrunchLabs: A toy and educational subscription promoting engineering and problem-solving skills for kids. Each month involves building and learning new concepts, encouraging resilience and critical thinking.

CrunchLabs Subscription:

• Monthly build box with engineering toys.
• Personal video guidance with Mark Rober.
• Opportunities for visiting CrunchLabs through platinum ticket rewards.

Holiday Promotion: Two months free subscription offer.