Chunky Bananas 2022 NASA Space Apps Challenge Project
Solution to On the Way to the Sun
PSP: The Game
The Story of the Parker Solar Probe
PSP: The Game
Game Design
The PSP game consists of a playing surface with spaces that players advance around by rolling a 6-sided die.
The object of the game is to collect parts for a player’s probe to accomplish the same tasks and face the same challenges as the Parker Space Probe.
Along the way, players learn the story of the PSP.
PSP: The Game
Game Tokens
Players interact with the game as solar probes and can choose their unique colour of solar array wings to differentiate their probe from those of other players.
PSP: The Game
Part Spinner
At the start of the game, players spin the Part Spinner 4 times to determine which parts they’ll need to collect for their space probe to accomplish some of the tasks of the Parker Space Probe as they progress through the game.
Having players choose only 4 parts makes the game simpler to complete and changes the game play each time.
PSP: The Game
Solar Coins
Through play on their turns, players need to earn solar coins, which will enable them to purchase their needed parts.
Solar coins come in denominations of 2 and 5.
PSP: The Game
Part Cards
Players need to purchase their parts by using their solar coins. They can only purchase parts when they’ve landed on a Solar Store square.
Solar coins are earned via Treasure cards.
PSP: The Game
Treasure Cards
When players land on a Treasure square, they earn the top card from the Treasure deck.
Treasure cards tell of accomplishments and goals of the Parker Space Probe.
Each card also gives the player solar coins that are used to buy parts for their probe.
PSP: The Game
Trouble Cards
When players land on a Trouble square, they have to take the top card from the Trouble deck.
Trouble cards tell of potential challenges facing the Parker Space Probe.
Each card also causes the player to lose solar coins, miss a turn, lose a part, or have to move back spaces on the board.
PSP: The Game
Winning the game
The aim of the game is to earn enough solar coins and land on the solar store enough times to purchase all 4 of your needed parts.
Of course, the other aim is to learn about the Parker Space Probe while having fun!
The winner of the game is the player who collects all their parts first.
PSP: The Game Presented by the Chunky Bananas
Thank you for learning about our solution to On the Way to the Sun for the
2022 NASA Space Apps Challenge!
Credits
The Parker Solar Probe map used on the game board is from:
Guo, Y., Thompson, P., Wirzburger, J., Pinkine, N., Bushman, S., Goodson, T., Haw, R., Hudson, J., Jones, D., Kijewski, S., Lathrop, B., Lau, E., Mottinger, N., Ryne, M., Shyong, W.-J., Valerino, P., & Whittenburg, K. (2021). Execution of Parker Solar Probe's unprecedented flight to the Sun and early results. Acta Astronautica, 179, 425-438. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.11.007