Challenger Learning Center of Colorado Springs

10215 Lexington Dr., Suite 110

Colorado Springs, CO 80920

Phone: 719-598-9755, Fax: 719-268-0912

Web Address: www.clccs.org

Welcome!Welcome!

Challenger Mission Challenger Mission SpecialistsSpecialists

VOYAGE TO MARSVOYAGE TO MARS

Challenger Learning Challenger Learning CenterCenter

June 25, 2076June 25, 2076

Challenger Mission Specialist Challenger Mission Specialist Goal:Goal:

Work with your crew mates to Work with your crew mates to ensure a successful ensure a successful

voyage to Marsvoyage to Mars

Why Go to Mars?Why Go to Mars?

•To locate areas for future long-term To locate areas for future long-term scientific bases.scientific bases.

•To study ancient flood plains in an effort To study ancient flood plains in an effort to find out what happened to the water to find out what happened to the water on Mars.on Mars.

•To identify soil samples and geological To identify soil samples and geological features for future mining capabilities.features for future mining capabilities.

Historically Speaking...Historically Speaking...

In 1996, NASA geochemist David S. In 1996, NASA geochemist David S. McKay et al announced the first McKay et al announced the first identification of organic compounds identification of organic compounds in a Martian meteorite.(Appendix A, in a Martian meteorite.(Appendix A, B)B)

Historically Speaking...Historically Speaking...

McKay’s McKay’s announcement announcement spawned a series of spawned a series of mechanical flights to mechanical flights to Mars in the late 20th Mars in the late 20th and early 21st and early 21st centuries.centuries.

Mars rover Sojourner soon Mars rover Sojourner soon after its 1997 landing on after its 1997 landing on MarsMars

The Journey Begins…The Journey Begins…

Since 2020, when we first stepped foot on the Red Planet and established a base on Chryse Planitia, travel to Mars has become routine.Since 2020, when we first stepped foot on the Red Planet and established a base on Chryse Planitia, travel to Mars has become routine.

Who can forget Commander Kate Marshall’s historic first words, “Neil who??”

The Journey Continues… The Journey Continues…

Your voyage begins in the year 2076 with a new crew of astronauts on route to the Red Planet. The purpose of your voyage is to replace the exiting crew who has manned Mars Control for the last two years, and continue their scientific research.

Your TeamsYour Teams

Navigation Life Support Remote Medical Isolation Data Communication Probe

Navigation Team

Must accurately navigate the Mars Transport Vehicle

Must relay instructions to teammates in MTV to assist with piloting of transport vehicle

Must initiate landing sequence of the MTV for a successful Mars landing

Recommended Attributes: Strong in math and science Works well in a team Good critical thinking skills

Remote

The REM team members will be working inside the MTV glovebox where they will be comparing geologic samples.

They will collect and analyze data on mass, volume and geological samples.

These crew members will also use robotic arms to provide new samples for investigation.

Recommended Attributes: Interested in geology Follows directions easily and works carefully Research and analyzing skills are a must

Medical

The Medical team members will be responsible for monitoring and analyzing the physical condition of the crew.

They will perform medical tests on other astronauts.

They will minimize physical changes that occur to astronauts when in microgravity conditions.

Recommended Attributes Science oriented student(s) Enjoys hands-on experiments Enjoys research and analyzing data

Life Support

Monitors the MTV environment by accurately reading instrument gauges to ensure the safety of the flight crew.

Surveys crop preference for possible farming.

Stays calm in emergency situations in order to maintain a safe spacecraft environment.

Recommended Attributes Science oriented student(s) Works diligently and carefully Enjoys research and analyzing data

Isolation

The ISO team members will use robotic arms to conduct research on board the MTV.

They will analyze potentially dangerous chemicals, meteoroid shields, filters, radioactive rods, and monitor cosmic radiation levels in the MTV.

Recommended Attributes: Enjoys working with robotics Definite hands-on learning Works well under pressure

DATA

Establishes printed communication between Mars Control and the Mars Transport Vehicle by sending messages via the computer.

Communicates with and keeps track of Remote Rover crew.

Accesses video images for other team members. Keeps track of weather conditions around Chryse

Planitia research station. Recommended Attributes

Excellent keyboarding skills Accurate and quick typist Latitude and longitude skills

Communication

The COM team is the integral link between the Mars Transport Vehicle (MTV) and Mars Control.

It is essential that this crew communicates clearly and effectively using correct protocol.

Recommended Attributes Good verbal skills Remains calm under pressure Multi-task oriented

Probe

The Probe team will use effective communication between team members in order to assemble a motherboard for a probe within a specified time constraint.

This team will also need to be able to use an electronic scale to measure the mass of probe parts.

Recommended Attributes: Hands-on learner(s) Good problem solver Excellent communication skills Works well with others

The Mars Transport Vehicle

The Mars Transport Vehicle will shuttle the crew from the mother ship (The SS Legacy) to the surface of Mars and back.

The Mars Transport Vehicle

Phobos

Deimos

The crew on the MTV will launch probes to Phobos and Deimos.

Mars ControlMars Control

The crew on Chryse The crew on Chryse Research Station Research Station has been collecting has been collecting samples throughout samples throughout the surface of Mars the surface of Mars to create a to create a permanent permanent settlement.settlement.

Your Crew Needs to:

Be prepared to live Be prepared to live and work in a and work in a confined area over confined area over a long period of a long period of time.time.

Be willing to use Be willing to use effective teamwork effective teamwork and consensus to and consensus to solve problemssolve problems