FLIGHT

• On November 26th, 2011, NASA launched the Curiosity rover to replace the Spirit and Opportunity

• Curiosity landed on August 5th, 2012 and has been sending back pictures and data since

• The project cost the US $2.5 billion, and Germany contributed an additional $3.1 billion.

MARS ROVER INFORMATION

Sojourner (1996)

Spirit & Opportunity(2003)

Curiosity (2011)

Rover Family Reunion

ROBO-VISION

A dollar from 10 feet away

HITTING THE MARK

FLIGHT PLAN

Watch the mission simulation

LIFT OFF!

Watch the rocket take flight

ROVER STARTS ROVING

ROVER SELF PORTRAIT

MOSAIC OF ‘ROCKNEST’ SCOOP SITE

UNCONFORMITY ON MT. SHARP

BASE OF MOUNT SHARP

WILL.I.AM A SOLAR SYSTEM STAR!

MECHANICS OF FLIGHT• Rover traveled through atmosphere and

space, which takes careful understanding of the mechanics of flight…

• How do planes fly?• Forces of flight?

Thrust

Lift

Weight

Drag

THE WING

• Plane wings have a distinct, curved shape• The shape lets them achieve lift. How?• Diffusion! Air moves from high to low pressure

FOR THE BIRDS

• How do birds achieve lift?– By flapping their wings

• What other characteristics do birds have that help them to fly?– Feathers to catch air with– Powerful muscles– More efficient lungs– Hollow bones.

Hummingbird in Slo-Mo

Albatross

Hawk

• Elliptical wings on birds adapted to forested for good maneuverability

• Soaring wings have a high aspect ratio (length compared to width) which provides more lift

MARS ROVER INFORMATION• Explore more about the Mars Space

Laboratory at NASA’s mission control page• Follow the Mars Rover Mission Page link on

Mr. A’s website and find the ‘Fact Sheet’ – What is the Rover’s mission?– How long will it be on Mars?– What is one piece of equipment the rover has?– Using the ‘Latest image gallery’ explain what

Abraham Lincoln has to do with the rover

YOUR GOAL!• Explore the mechanics of flight!

1. Make a poster showcasing flight mechanics2. Design your own plane based on an insect or bird

wing and explain its advantages3. Make a documentary podcast & picture slideshow

about the flight of a unique bird / bug / plane• Discover: the fastest plane or bird; the heaviest;

which one flaps its wings the fastest; how their wings support their lifestyle.

-Birds -Planes - InsectsOr ANY combination of the 3!

• Make a poster showcasing flight mechanics– Show how each different example achieves flight

(one part of tri-fold for insects, one for birds, one for planes)

– Describe how they balance the 4 factors of flight (lift, thrust, weight, drag); make a graph/chart/table comparing these values

– Include different pictures of each example– Make a few, stylish paper airplanes that are designed

to show how the different flight factors can change (make a plane that is able to use lift to float longer, one that uses thrust to go far, etc.)

YOUR GOAL!

• Design your own plane based on an insect or bird and explain its advantages– Build a model of your plane or create several

illustrations and blueprints (or both!)– If you build a physical model: Make an owner’s

manual that describes the unique features of your plane and how it works• What is special about its wings?• Does it use propellers, jet engines, something else?

– If you make illustrations or blueprints: Create an advertisement such as a poster or commercial for your plane to explains how it works and why someone should invest in your design.

YOUR GOAL!

• Make a documentary podcast & picture slideshow about the flight of a unique bird / bug / plane– What can it do that makes it special?– How is able to accomplish this?– How does it balance the 4 factors for flight? (I.e. How

much lift does it create? How does it reduce drag?)– Find as many other interesting details as you can• If a plane: How much does it cost? What is it made of?• If an organism: How long does it live?

– Your documentary should be at least 3 minutes worth of quality information.

YOUR GOAL!