Challenger Learning Center of Colorado Springs

1. 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

2. Welcome! Challenger Mission Specialists

3. VOYAGE TO MARS Challenger Learning Center June 25, 2076

4. Challenger Mission Specialist Goal: Work with your crew mates to ensure a successful voyage to Mars

5. Why Go to Mars? • To locate areas for future long-term scientific bases. • To study ancient flood plains in an effort to find out what happened to the water on Mars. • To identify soil samples and geological features for future mining capabilities.

6. Historically Speaking... On Aug 6, 1996, David McKay et al announced the first identification of organic compounds in a Martian meteorite. The authors further suggest that these compounds, in conjunction with a number of other mineralogical features observed in the rock, may be evidence of ancient Martian microorganisms. (See appendix A) Exciting as this is, it is important to note while this evidence is strong it by no means establishes the fact of extraterrestrial life. There have also been several contradictory studies published since the McKay paper. Remember, "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." Much work remains to be done before we can be confident of this most extraordinary claim. In 1996, NASA geochemist David S. McKay et al announced the first identification of organic compounds in a Martian meteorite.(Appendix A, B)

7. Historically Speaking... McKay’s announcement spawned a series of mechanical flights to Mars in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Mars rover Sojourner soon after its 1997 landing on Mars

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

9. 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.

10. Your Teams • Navigation • Life Support • Remote • Medical • Isolation • Data • Communication • Probe

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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.

20. The Mars Transport Vehicle The crew on the MTV will launch probes to Phobos and Deimos. Phobos Deimos

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

22. Your Crew Needs to: Be prepared to live and work in a confined area over a long period of time. Be willing to use effective teamwork and consensus to solve problems