1. Challenger Learning Center of Colorado
10215 Lexington Dr., Suite 110
Colorado Springs, CO
Phone: , Fax:
Web Address:

2. Challenger Mission Specialists
Welcome!
Challenger Mission Specialists

3. VOYAGE TO MARS
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...
In 1996, NASA announced the first identification of organic compounds in a Martian meteorite.
On 1996 Aug 6, 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.
(left?)
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 bee 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.

7. Historically Speaking...
This announcement led to a series of robotic 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.

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 existing crew who has staffed Mars Control for the last two years and continue their scientific research.

10. Your Teams Navigation Life Support Remote Medical Isolation Data
Communication
Probe
Space Weather
Media

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. Space Weather
Monitors activity on the sun—sunspots, solar storms, coronal mass ejections—and their potential effects on Earth and the mission
Recommended Attributes
Science-oriented—not afraid of new vocabulary!
Enjoys research and analysis
Interest in broadcast or production

20. Media
Responsible for recording the mission through written and photographic media
Must be able to explain every aspect of the mission to any interested parties
Recommended Attributes
Good at working with others
Detail-oriented
Good interview and photography skills

21. The Mars Transport Vehicle
The crew on the MTV will launch probes to Phobos and Deimos, the moons of Mars.
Phobos
Deimos

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

23. 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

24. Good luck!