Constructing your own landing device An exploration into the elementary physics behind the landing of the Mars rover and Apollo space capsules

Technologies gained through space exploration. Water treatment systems Home insulation

More Technology Flame resistant materials Medical technology

Why go?

The Moon Extend human presence to the moon to enable eventual settlements. Pursue scientific activities that address fundamental questions about the history of Earth, the solar system and the universe. Test technologies, systems, flight operations and exploration techniques to reduce the risks and increase the productivity of future missions to Mars and beyond

Mars A scientific understanding of how another planet has changed since it formed and an understanding of how it works today so that we can better understand Earth. If life is discovered we may begin to answer questions about other possible life in the universe. To raise questions about future colonization of Mars.

Question How does NASA land precious human life or multi-million dollar equipment safely?

Earth Vs. Mars

Atmosphere: Thicker on Earth

Gravity: Greater on Earth

Poses problems for

Mission Scientist

Mission Vehicles

Initial Design for Landing Device

Testing the landing methods

Final landing design

Newton’s Laws Newton’s second law The acceleration of an object as produced by a net force is directly proportional to the magnitude of the net force in the same direction as the net force and inversely proportional to the mass of the object Newton’s third law Every interaction there is a pair of forces acting on the two interacting objects. The size of the forces on the first object equals the size of the force on the second object. The direction of the force on the first object is opposite to the direction of the force on the second object.

Expansion of Newton’s Laws

Terms to Know Potential Energy- The amount of energy an object has due to position of chemical bonds. Kinetic Energy- The energy needed to accelerate an object of a given mass from rest to its current velocity (speed). Terminal Velocity- The max speed an object reaches when in free fall Air Friction- refers to the forces that oppose the downward motion of an object in free fall. (created by atmospheric pressure) Mass- The property of an object that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field Height- The distance an object falls until initial impact Acceleration of gravity- the acceleration caused by the gravitational attraction of massive objects. (the Earth in this case)

Additional Terms Energy lost to air friction – The amount of kinetic energy lost as heat due to air friction Force of impact- the equal and opposite force ( Newton's third law) exerted on the object at point of impact. (equals the kinetic energy of the object at that point Distance traveled after impact- the distance that an object will travel after initial impact