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EXPEDITION MARS

The year is 2076. A handful of facilities have been established on Mars: a greenhouse, a mobile geological survey base, and a centralized research habitat. The primary human habitat is not on Mars, but on one of its moons, Phobos. A Spacecraft regularly ferries astronauts and scientists between the base on Phobos and the surface of Mars. The Spacecraft also carries parts to build a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to continue the search for evidence of life and water. However, when crew members discover an imminent threat to their Spacecraft and the Martian surface facilities, they must act quickly to save their stations, their research, and their lives.

Major STEM Concepts

n Finding water is a precursor for finding life.

n Collision of objects in space can cause geological changes.

n Without the Earth’s protective atmosphere, radiation levels are higher.

n Advanced programming of robots

aid in science exploration.

Suggested Grade

n Investigate the characteristics of minerals to discover if any were formed in water.

n Build and program the ROV.

n Check vital signs and radiation levels of crew members.

n Test oxygen levels in Martian soil.

Matching funding of 50% per district is available thanks

to a generous donation from Cenovus Energy.	challenger.org

Teams

One member of each team will be in Mission Control for the first half of the mission while the other is assigned to the Spacecraft. At the midpoint of the experience, the group in Mission Control launches to the Spacecraft and the Spacecraft group returns to work in Mission Control.

Communications

Objectives: Serve as a communications leader between Spacecraft and Mission Control. Branches of Study: Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Public Relations Career Connections: Communication Engineer, Information Technologist

Navigation

Objectives: Calculate and plot the course for the Spacecraft to navigate from Phobos to Mars. Branches of Study: Physics, Avionics Technology
Career Connections: Pilot, Navigator, Mathematician, Aerospace Engineer, Electrical Engineer

Rover

Objectives: Assemble and test a ROV to search for signs of water. Branches of Study: Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering
Career Connections: Computer Scientist, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Structural Engineer

Weather

Objectives: Monitor the Martian atmosphere for dangerous objects such as satellites and track weather patterns throughout the mission.
Branches of Study: Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Career Connections: Electrical Engineer, Meteorologist, Solar Astronomer, Physicist

Medical

Objectives: Conduct various examinations on the crew to assess their health and safety for the duration of the mission. Branches of Study: Psychology, Biology, Doctor of Medicine, Physics, Chemistry
Career Connections: Physician, Nurse, Lab Technician, Physician Assistant

Biology

Objectives: Conduct tests and analyze soil samples to determine if microbes are present. Branches of Study: Biology, Chemistry, Botany, Astrobiology
Career Connections: Astrobiologist, Botanist, Ecologist

Robotics

Objectives: Program the ROV to navigate the Martian terrain so it can collect the required data. Branches of Study: Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
Career Connections: Computer Scientist, Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Aerospace Engineer

Life Systems

Objectives: Monitor and troubleshoot the life support systems on the spacecraft, including air pressure, temperature, and humidity.
Branches of Study: Aerospace Engineering Technology, Biology, Structural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering Career Connections: Environmental Engineer, Chemist, Industrial Engineer

Geology

Objectives: Classify and examine Martian minerals to determine if minerals were formed in water. Branches of Study: Geology, Astrogeology
Career Connections: Planetary Geologist, Seismologist, Land Surveyor

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