The Challenge:

Sojourner, Spirit and Opportunity have led the way in exploration of the surface of Mars.  Now it's time for a new robotic mission to unravel the mysteries of Mars.  You and your classmates will be constructing two robots and planning their scientific mission.  Just like the engineers and scientists of NASA, you will face many challenges as you work on the design and implementation of this very important mission to Mars.
Some questions you must answer include:

• How can you design robots that can successfully withstand the extreme conditions on the planet Mars?
• What landing site(s) should you consider for each rover?
• What are the goals of your mission?
• What questions do you hope to answer about Mars?
• What science instruments should you send on your rovers?
• How will you communicate your scientific findings with the public?

Step One: Research the current and past robotic missions to Mars and learn how the NASA scientists planned their missions to Mars.  Answer the following questions:

• What were the four science goals for the Mars Exploration Rovers?
• Where are Spirit and Opportunity today and what have we learned from their missions?
• What features can you find on the surface of Mars?  Where are they located? Which features might yield interesting scientific information?

Step Two: The next stage of your project is constructing your robots.  Use the following sites about robotics to help as you design and construct the rovers.
 
 

NASA: Robotics Alliance Project	Robots in Space	Space Robotics	Introduction to Robots
Robot Basics	Rover Ranch	Red Rover Goes to Mars

Step Three: Now it's time to create the surface of Mars.  Use your knowledge of the topography of Mars to construct the Martian terrain.