# Choose a Space Home

Part of the Space Exploration Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/space-exploration/guide/index.md)

*6. Spacecraft Choices*

> **6.** Describe the purpose, operation, and components of ONE of the following:

You must choose exactly one option from this requirement. Both choices focus on how humans live and work in orbit, but they do it at different scales.

## Your Options

- **[Req 6a — Crewed Orbital Vehicles](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/space-exploration/guide/req6a/)**: Study a shuttle, capsule, or other crewed orbital vehicle. This option helps you explain how a spacecraft carries people to orbit, supports them briefly, and returns them safely.
- **[Req 6b — International Space Station](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/space-exploration/guide/req6b/)**: Focus on the ISS as a long-term orbital home and laboratory. This option is great if you want to explain how people live, work, and cooperate in space over time.

## How to Choose

**Choosing your option** — Pick the one that fits what you want to describe

- [ ] **Choose 6a if** you are most interested in launches, reentry, crews, and spacecraft systems packed into one vehicle.
- [ ] **Choose 6b if** you are most interested in long-duration living, science experiments, and international teamwork.
- [ ] **What you gain from 6a**: Better understanding of how spacecraft transport humans.
- [ ] **What you gain from 6b**: Better understanding of how humans stay alive and productive in orbit.

> **Tip**
>
> If you already liked the orbit and life-support ideas in Requirements 4 and 7, the ISS option may feel natural. If you prefer vehicles and launch systems, start with the crewed vehicle page.

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- Previous: [Design a Sample Return](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/space-exploration/guide/req5c/index.md)
- Next: [Crewed Orbital Vehicles](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/space-exploration/guide/req6a/index.md)