The Atlantis Exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center uses a phrase:  "From Sketch pad to Launch pad."  The film in the exhibit shows the sketching out of an idea for the Atlantis, which transitions to a paper 3 D version of the sketch and then reveals the real life version.  The steps demonstrated from the sketch to the final product is a powerful tool to show the innovative ingenuity of the age of space exploration.  Everything starts first as an idea, then problem solving,  modeling with experimentation, moving eventually to a successful product.  One way this theme could be taught would be to use the da Vinci sketch book to generate discussion, sketches of inventions (typewriter, elevator...other sources from the Patent Offices), finishing with sketches of the Atlantis.  For an activity/lesson, students could sketch out a design of a rocket or space ship of their own imagination (small group or partner), design a 3 D version of their product and present their problem solving ideas. Follow up with primary sources on the building of the Atlantis or they could be embedded within the lesson prior to students building their models. 

Space Shuttle Sketch

Flying Machine: from Leonardo da Vinci's sketchbook

Leonardo da Vinci's sketchbook: Flying Machine

Mapping the Moon with the film WALL-E

Multiple links to the history of space flight 

Leland Melvin: "Chasing Space: An Astronaut's Story of Grit, Grace and Second Chances" 

Launch of Atlantis