Ages 8–10 · Est. 30–45 minutes · 2–6 players

Satellite Signal Desk

Recover the missing satellite call sign.

Six clues, three hint levels each, and a paper-only finish. No locks, apps or cutting required.

Satellite Signal Desk: Message desk: Decode all shapes in message order. Repeated shapes repeat their letter. Convert the full word using the table.

Your mission

The satellite desk received a coded message, a damaged copy and three operator records. Use the printed evidence to choose the valid call-sign card. Collect five named badge digits and use the final sheet. Every clue is on the table; ask the host for one hint at a time.

Set up in one room

Print one player pack and two record sheets per team. Keep the host answers and all three hint levels with the adult.
Keep every clue as a full sheet at one table. Put the final sheet face down until all five results are recorded. Nothing needs cutting, folding or hiding.
Give each child a pencil. Choose a reader, recorder and checker, and swap jobs after each clue. Use one team for 2–4 children or two teams for 5–6.

Materials

6 player sheets and 2 prop sheets per team
One pencil per child
One adult host with the answer and hint pages

Designed ages and estimated time have not yet been calibrated in a live child playtest.

See all six player clues

These are the actual figures from the printable player pack.

1. Message

Message desk: Decode all shapes in message order. Repeated shapes repeat their letter. Convert the full word using the table.

Read this clue in text

Key: heart means B; cross means E; hexagon means A; triangle means M. Message: heart, cross, hexagon, triangle. Conversion: BEAM means 4; DOCK means 7; STAR means 0.

2. Copy

Copy desk: Compare the two records at matching numbered positions. Count different pairs once each; ignore box outlines.

Read this clue in text

Strip A: heart, cross, hexagon, triangle, square, circle, star, diamond. Strip B: hexagon, cross, hexagon, circle, square, diamond, star, diamond. Compare the same numbered position.

3. Operator

Operator desk: Each person has ONE different item. Use all four NOT rules. Find Lyra's item and copy its digit.

Read this clue in text

Dish digit 1 Panel digit 4 Relay digit 7 People: Nova, Orion, Lyra Nova does NOT have Dish. Orion does NOT have Panel. Orion does NOT have Relay. Lyra does NOT have Panel. Find Lyra's item. Each item is used once.

4. Battery

Battery desk: Every parcel has the same whole-number weight. Remove loose units, find ONE parcel and check the second rule.

Read this clue in text

2 parcels + 4 loose units = 12 units 2 parcels + 3 loose units = 11 units One parcel = ? units. Whole numbers 1–9. All parcels have equal weight.

5. Channel

Channel desk: Read the letter at each coordinate, in order. Letter = column; number = row. Convert the complete word using the printed table.

Satellite Signal Desk: Channel desk: Read the letter at each coordinate, in order. Letter = column; number = row. Convert the complete word using the printed table.

Read this clue in text

Columns: A, B, C, D. Rows: 1, 2, 3. 1 M A E G 2 C F J A 3 H B P S BEAM = 7 DOCK = 0 STAR = 3 READ COORDINATES IN ORDER: B3 > C1 > D2 > A1

6. Final

Compare each record with ALL five badge results. Find the one record matching every column. Copy its complete code, including the first zero.

Read this clue in text

C1=Message / C2=Copy / C3=Operator C4=Battery / C5=Channel Record A: 02107 C1=4 C2=3 C3=7 C4=4 C5=7 Record B: 02117 C1=5 C2=3 C3=7 C4=4 C5=7 Record C: 02127 C1=4 C2=4 C3=7 C4=4 C5=7 Record D: 02137 C1=4 C2=3 C3=8 C4=4 C5=7 Record E: 02147 C1=4 C2=3 C3=7 C4=5 C5=7 Record F: 02157 C1=4 C2=3 C3=7 C4=4 C5=8