Living & Working on Mars
Communicating with Mars
Astronauts on Mars must be able to communicate with Mission Control back on Earth. Research how a radio signal travels from Earth to Mars and back again, and create an illustrated diagram.
Take two strips of paper and fold with alternating 'valley' and 'ridge' folds.
Stick the two strips together with tape of glue. Draw a picture of Earth on the inside cover and a picture of Mars on the back page. (Remember the back of the booklet will be pasted into the folder).
Information should include:
Deep Space Tracking Network (Earth)
Satellites (Earth and Mars)
Ground antenna (Mars)
Here are some internet resources you might find helpful:
How to Yell Across a Solar System, NASA
NASA, Dr DIsh
From Computer Code to Space Wave and Back Again (narrated animation)
M.A.R.S. Mars Australian Research Station
What would a Mars Base (suitable for humans) need?
Make a Diamond 4-Door Fold and use one fold for each section.
Create a square from A4 paper, and cut off the excess paper.
Fold the square diagonally so the opposite corners touch and unfold to reveal an "X".
Fold the corners of the square into the centre of the X.
Research where resources necessary for humans living and working on Mars would come from, including:
Air - to keep the air breathable oxygen would need to be added, and carbon dioxide filtered out.
Water - everything would have to be recycled. Are there any resources on Mars?
Food - food from Earth would have to be stored for a long time, or perhaps astronauts could grow their own
Fuel (energy sources) - fuel would have to be brought from Earth Earth unless astronauts could use energy sources on Mars.
These internet resources will be helpful:
Planet Mars – Facts and Information (including Colonizing Mars)
Mars Homestead Project Image Gallery (images of future settlements on Mars)
Colonization of Mars (Wikipedia)
Davis Creek Elementary School Mars Colony Project (great pictures of student projects)
Design Your Own Space Station on Mars
Create your own plans! Draw a picture or diagram that takes into consideration:
Astronauts/ scientists need somewhere to sleep, eat, live and work
Spacesuits to travel outside the base, and/or vehicle and robots to undertake dangerous work
Communications with Mission Control back on Earth
Fold a sheet of A4 paper diagonally to create a square. Cut off excess. Unfold the square and turn it over so that the diagonal fold is face down. Now fold the square in half vertically and horizontally. When you lift up the paper it should look something like the photo. Bring the diagonal fold together to create a Squash book. Draw your plans on the inside and a cover panel on the front.
Well done!
You've completed the research necessary for your Mission to M.A.R.S. base at VSSEC.
In the next section you'll find some Extension Activities that you can add to your Mars Folder.