🚀 SpaceGrade 5Reading: grades 5-6Place valueMultiplicationSkip countingWord problemsDivision
The Mystery of Lunar Outpost Alpha
A rogue saboteur disrupted the primary airlock at Lunar Outpost Alpha! Station Commander Vance needs your help reviewing telemetry and crew records to identify the culprit before the emergency shuttle leaves.
Suspects
Possible suspects
Cross off a row as each clue rules it out. On screen, tap a row.
21 of 21 still in play
| Name | Primary Gear | Backup Module | Dominant Hand | Helmet Color | Suit Vulnerability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valentina Tereshkova | GRAVITY BOOTS | OXYGEN TANK | LEFT HANDED | GOLD HELMET | NEON LIGHT |
| Neil Armstrong | LASER CUTTER | SOLAR PANEL | RIGHT HANDED | RED HELMET | LUNAR DUST |
| Guion Bluford | PLASMA TORCH | ROVER KEY | LEFT HANDED | RED HELMET | NEON LIGHT |
| Chris Hadfield | LASER CUTTER | RADIO BEACON | LEFT HANDED | RED HELMET | NEON LIGHT |
| Bernard Harris | GRAVITY BOOTS | OXYGEN TANK | LEFT HANDED | RED HELMET | HIGH HEAT |
| Michael Collins | PLASMA TORCH | OXYGEN TANK | RIGHT HANDED | BLUE HELMET | NEON LIGHT |
| Jeanette Epps | LASER CUTTER | STARDUST COMPASS | LEFT HANDED | RED HELMET | NEON LIGHT |
| Buzz Aldrin | LASER CUTTER | SOLAR PANEL | RIGHT HANDED | BLUE HELMET | LUNAR DUST |
| Christina Koch | JET PACK | STARDUST COMPASS | RIGHT HANDED | RED HELMET | NEON LIGHT |
| Victor Glover | MAG SHIELD | ROVER KEY | LEFT HANDED | GOLD HELMET | LUNAR DUST |
| Yuri Gagarin | MAG SHIELD | STARDUST COMPASS | LEFT HANDED | GOLD HELMET | HIGH HEAT |
| Eileen Collins | LASER CUTTER | RADIO BEACON | LEFT HANDED | BLUE HELMET | LUNAR DUST |
| Leland Melvin | JET PACK | ROVER KEY | LEFT HANDED | RED HELMET | HIGH HEAT |
| Leo Sterling | MAG SHIELD | ROVER KEY | RIGHT HANDED | BLUE HELMET | LUNAR DUST |
| Sally Ride | GRAVITY BOOTS | OXYGEN TANK | LEFT HANDED | RED HELMET | NEON LIGHT |
| John Glenn | JET PACK | RADIO BEACON | RIGHT HANDED | GOLD HELMET | NEON LIGHT |
| Kalpana Chawla | PLASMA TORCH | ROVER KEY | LEFT HANDED | BLUE HELMET | NEON LIGHT |
| Astrid Vance | MAG SHIELD | SOLAR PANEL | LEFT HANDED | RED HELMET | NEON LIGHT |
| Orion Blake | PLASMA TORCH | RADIO BEACON | LEFT HANDED | BLUE HELMET | HIGH HEAT |
| Mae Jemison | JET PACK | ROVER KEY | LEFT HANDED | BLUE HELMET | LUNAR DUST |
| Sunita Williams | LASER CUTTER | ROVER KEY | LEFT HANDED | GOLD HELMET | NEON LIGHT |
Clue 1
Place value
The station computer displays raw coordinates using place value columns pointing to key evidence.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
700
5000
90
7000
80
10
10
900
80
9000
300
2000
90
500
9000
2000
T
700
5000
900
7000
90
900
50
900
300
80
2000
400
90
900
3000
2000
9000
What is the value of the 7 in 69,700?T
What is the value of the 3 in 23,860?C
What is the value of the 8 in 19,380?I
What is the value of the 1 in 753,510?L
What is the value of the 9 in 65,690?E
What is the value of the 3 in 72,301?D
What is the value of the 2 in 372,603?O
What is the value of the 5 in 142,530?S
What is the value of the 4 in 975,451?B
What is the value of the 7 in 827,029?V
What is the value of the 5 in 65,370?H
What is the value of the 9 in 465,986?A
What is the value of the 5 in 278,054?R
What is the value of the 9 in 79,866?N
0/14 letters found
Clue 2
Multiplication facts (1-12)
In the cargo bay crates of replacement visor glass are arranged in equal rows and stacks.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
T
80
100
2
7
60
45
45
20
32
7
2
84
81
5
2
8
T
80
100
81
60
84
T
80
45
5
2
81
28
2
20
35
64
60
T
80
7
8 × 10 =T
9 × 5 =O
10 × 10 =H
5 × 7 =R
7 × 1 =S
4 × 7 =V
1 × 5 =L
8 × 8 =I
1 × 8 =F
4 × 8 =U
5 × 4 =P
5 × 12 =N
7 × 12 =D
9 × 9 =A
1 × 2 =E
0/15 letters found
Clue 3
Skip counting
Walking down the habitat corridor oxygen pressure gauges flash numbers in steady leaps.
Solve each problem to learn its letter. Then write that letter in every box that shows the same number, and read the secret clue.
B
100
21
25
6
12
28
15
70
35
15
110
25
6
12
28
B
100
110
25
15
8
70
8
28
12
70
22
60
50
36
70
26
25
22
35
21
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120B
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70P
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12D
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32T
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27R
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10G
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45O
Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130L
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, ___, 18, 21N
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26S
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16H
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35I
Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42C
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, ___, 55, 60A
Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30V
Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, ___, 75, 80E
0/16 letters found
Clue 4
Word problems
The crew log tracks energy fuel cells used during overnight module maintenance.
Solve each problem to learn its letter, then write the letters in the boxes to fill in the missing word.
Astrandofhairturnedupatthescene.
R
31
119
58
116
119
50
63
119
43
Astronaut Sam found 19 solar batteries yesterday and 12 more today. How many solar batteries in all?R
There were 147 space crystals. 31 were used up. How many space crystals are left?H
Astronaut Sam found 6 oxygen canisters yesterday and 44 more today. How many oxygen canisters in all?L
Astronaut Sam found 36 meteorite samples yesterday and 27 more today. How many meteorite samples in all?M
Astronaut Sam found 7 meteorite samples yesterday and 36 more today. How many meteorite samples in all?T
There were 128 meteorite samples. 9 were used up. How many meteorite samples are left?E
There were 68 space crystals. 10 were used up. How many space crystals are left?D
0/7 letters found
Clue 5
Division facts (1-12) — the last clue
Before locking down the sector the cadet divides remaining power packs equally among safety pods.
First solve each problem. Then find each answer in the list below and cross that sentence out. One sentence will be left — that's exactly what the villain did!
Step 1 — solve these
10 ÷ 10 = ?
72 ÷ 9 = ?
15 ÷ 5 = ?
28 ÷ 4 = ?
72 ÷ 6 = ?
121 ÷ 11 = ?
36 ÷ 4 = ?
12 ÷ 2 = ?
48 ÷ 12 = ?
120 ÷ 12 = ?
5 ÷ 1 = ?
Step 2 — cross out the sentence with each answer
1.The villain sliced with the laser cutter, then checked a stardust compass.
2.The villain fired the plasma torch, then grabbed a rover key.
3.The villain raised the mag shield, then adjusted a solar panel.
4.The villain fired the plasma torch, then switched off a radio beacon.
5.The villain activated the gravity boots, then adjusted a solar panel.
6.The villain raised the mag shield, then grabbed a rover key.
7.The villain activated the gravity boots, then grabbed a rover key.
8.The villain activated the gravity boots, then refilled an oxygen tank.
9.The villain sliced with the laser cutter, then switched off a radio beacon.
10.The villain fired the plasma torch, then adjusted a solar panel.
11.The villain raised the mag shield, then switched off a radio beacon.
12.The villain boosted using the jet pack, then adjusted a solar panel.
Solve it
Name the culprit
Choose the one suspect left standing.
Answer Key — The Mystery of Lunar Outpost Alpha
Culprit: Guion Bluford (PLASMA TORCH · ROVER KEY · LEFT HANDED · RED HELMET · NEON LIGHT)
- Clue 1 (Place value): "THE VILLAIN DOES NOT HAVE A RADIO BEACON"What is the value of the 7 in 69,700? = 700 (T) · What is the value of the 3 in 23,860? = 3000 (C) · What is the value of the 8 in 19,380? = 80 (I) · What is the value of the 1 in 753,510? = 10 (L) · What is the value of the 9 in 65,690? = 90 (E) · What is the value of the 3 in 72,301? = 300 (D) · What is the value of the 2 in 372,603? = 2000 (O) · What is the value of the 5 in 142,530? = 500 (S) · What is the value of the 4 in 975,451? = 400 (B) · What is the value of the 7 in 827,029? = 7000 (V) · What is the value of the 5 in 65,370? = 5000 (H) · What is the value of the 9 in 465,986? = 900 (A) · What is the value of the 5 in 278,054? = 50 (R) · What is the value of the 9 in 79,866? = 9000 (N)
- Clue 2 (Multiplication facts (1-12)): "THE SNOOP USED A LEFT HAND TO LEAVE PRINTS"8 × 10 = 80 (T) · 9 × 5 = 45 (O) · 10 × 10 = 100 (H) · 5 × 7 = 35 (R) · 7 × 1 = 7 (S) · 4 × 7 = 28 (V) · 1 × 5 = 5 (L) · 8 × 8 = 64 (I) · 1 × 8 = 8 (F) · 4 × 8 = 32 (U) · 5 × 4 = 20 (P) · 5 × 12 = 60 (N) · 7 × 12 = 84 (D) · 9 × 9 = 81 (A) · 1 × 2 = 2 (E)
- Clue 3 (Skip counting): "BRIGHT NEON LIGHT BLINDED THE SPACE VISOR"Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, ___, 110, 120 = 100 (B) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, ___, 65, 70 = 60 (P) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, ___, 10, 12 = 8 (D) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, ___, 30, 32 = 28 (T) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, ___, 24, 27 = 21 (R) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, ___, 8, 10 = 6 (G) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, ___, 40, 45 = 35 (O) · Skip-count by 10s. Fill the blank: 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, ___, 120, 130 = 110 (L) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, ___, 18, 21 = 15 (N) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, ___, 24, 26 = 22 (S) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, ___, 14, 16 = 12 (H) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, ___, 30, 35 = 25 (I) · Skip-count by 3s. Fill the blank: 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27, 30, 33, ___, 39, 42 = 36 (C) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, ___, 55, 60 = 50 (A) · Skip-count by 2s. Fill the blank: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, ___, 28, 30 = 26 (V) · Skip-count by 5s. Fill the blank: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, ___, 75, 80 = 70 (E)
- Clue 4 (Word problems): "RED HELMET"Astronaut Sam found 19 solar batteries yesterday and 12 more today. How many solar batteries in all? = 31 (R) · There were 147 space crystals. 31 were used up. How many space crystals are left? = 116 (H) · Astronaut Sam found 6 oxygen canisters yesterday and 44 more today. How many oxygen canisters in all? = 50 (L) · Astronaut Sam found 36 meteorite samples yesterday and 27 more today. How many meteorite samples in all? = 63 (M) · Astronaut Sam found 7 meteorite samples yesterday and 36 more today. How many meteorite samples in all? = 43 (T) · There were 128 meteorite samples. 9 were used up. How many meteorite samples are left? = 119 (E) · There were 68 space crystals. 10 were used up. How many space crystals are left? = 58 (D)
- Clue 5 (Division facts (1-12)): surviving statement (box 2) → Guion Bluford10 ÷ 10 = 1 · 72 ÷ 9 = 8 · 15 ÷ 5 = 3 · 28 ÷ 4 = 7 · 72 ÷ 6 = 12 · 121 ÷ 11 = 11 · 36 ÷ 4 = 9 · 12 ÷ 2 = 6 · 48 ÷ 12 = 4 · 120 ÷ 12 = 10 · 5 ÷ 1 = 5
About this mystery
- Grade level
- Grade 5 math
- Math topics
- Place value, Multiplication, Skip counting, Word problems, Division
- Reading level
- grades 5-6
- Theme
- The Mystery of Lunar Outpost Alpha — set in Lunar Outpost Alpha
- Format
- Interactive online & printable worksheet with answer key
- Solution
- One unique, verified culprit among 21 suspects