DON'T LEAVE THE STATION WITHOUT IT

ISS astronauts working outside of the station will wear safer (Simplified Aid for EVA [space walk] Rescue) backpacks, which use compressed nitrogen for propulsion and are meant for rescue if an astronaut comes untethered and drifts away. FAMILYFUN astronauts can make and wear this whimsical soda bottle Rocket Pack designed by reader Deborah Lee-Quinn of Charleston, Illinois. It will take any explorer to new heights.

MATERIALS:
2 empty, clear plastic 2-liter soda bottles
1-inch-wide yellow and blue electrical tape
2-inch-wide red cloth tape
X-Acto knife
Small Styrofoam balls
2 7-by-7-inch squares of red cellophane
2 8-by-8-inch squares of yellow cellophane
Pencil
2 rubber bands
2 red paper cups
Scissors
Silver duct tape
Large paper clips

DIRECTIONS:
1. Tape the bottles together with colored electrical and cloth tape. Then use an X-Acto knife to cut two narrow rectangles on each bottle for the straps to pass through.
2. Fill the bottles with as many Styrofoam balls as you like. Large plastic beads or crinkled tissue paper also make good "fuel."
3. To make "flames," place one red cellophane square on top of one yellow one and secure both over the end of the pencil with a rubber band (the rubber band should be at least half an inch below the end of the pencil). Slide out the pencil and push the end of the "flame" with the rubber band on it into the bottle until it sticks up inside the bottle about 1/4 of an inch. Wrap electrical tape around the opening to secure the flame. Repeat for other bottle.
4. Trim off the top of each paper cup leaving a two-inch-tall bottom. Cut slits in an asterisk pattern in the bottom of each cup. Slide a cup over each bottle opening and flame.
5. Make two straps from four lengths of duct tape (ours were each 30 inches). For each strap, tape two pieces sticky sides together and add a decorative strip of electrical tape. Thread the straps through the slits, and secure with paper clips.