1. AeroEngineer: Race To Mars
Developed in Partnership between
Project Lead the Way and Wisdom Tools, Inc.
Funded, in part, by National Science Foundation (Grant No. NSF IIP )

2. AeroEngineer: Race to Mars
This serious game and curriculum package engages high school students in aerospace engineering and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math).
In the game, you’ll bid for various types of contracts that need a space vehicle to go to Mars. Then you’ll design and test your own space vehicle to meet mission requirements.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

3. AeroEngineer: Race to Mars
By choosing from various parts, you will design the propulsion, vehicle, and lander. Then you’ll send it to Mars to see how well your design holds up and meets real world challenges.
There is no one perfect design solution. Instead, you’ll decide on a variety of design and structure choices. You’ll examine frame factors, design trade offs, and use the systems approaches to engineering.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

4. AeroEngineer: Five Game Modules
AeroEngineer: Race to Mars
4/19/2017
AeroEngineer: Five Game Modules
Introduction & Contract Selection
Module 1: Propulsion
Module 2: Vehicle Design
Module 3: Lander Design
Module 4: Bidding
Module 5: Take on Roles & Flight
Performance Review
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

5. Introduction
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

6. Contract Selection
You will be given a choice of contracts to “bid” for to fund your vehicle for the Race to Mars.
You will want to build a vehicle that achieves the mission’s requirements with the lowest financial and resource investment. This will enable you to complete your contract and make a profit.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

7. Instruction Screens
Be sure to tell students to pay attention to these screens.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

8. Types of Contracts Contract Goals
Defense
The end goal of this contract is to set up surveillance on Mars. Given the source, funding resources are quite large.
Green
The goal of this contract is conservation of the Martian environment. But the types of materials and fuels you can use are limited.
Tourism
While this contract may be motivated by profit, it is also concerned with preserving aspects of the “Martian experience.”
Research
This contract has less funding, but there is access to the newest technologies. While you can use the most experimental methods to get to Mars, you need to get samples back to Earth.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

9. Contract Selection
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

10. Hire Team
You will hire crewmembers, each of which will provide design input in later stages of the game.
From the list, you will choose a team of three.
The combination of these three crewmembers will determine options provided to you within the game.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

11. Hire Team
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

12. Engineering Design Process
Adapted from: (2007). Standards for technological literacy: Content for the study of technology. Standards for Technological Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology. Retrieved from
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

13. Module 1: Propulsion
You will design and test a propulsion system for getting from the Moon to Mars.
The propulsion system consists of engine, fuel, and exhaust parts.
Throughout the game, you will have to make cost-benefit decisions.
Example: Fuel is limited, but any added weight reduces the efficiency of the system.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

14. Tsiolkovsky Rocket Equation
M0: is the initial total mass, including propellant.
M1: is the final total mass.
Ve : is the effective exhaust velocity .
Δ v – Delta-v : The maximum change of speed of the vehicle (with no external forces acting).
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

15. Module 1: Propulsion
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

16. ΔV vs. Mass Ratio Graph
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

17. Module 1: Propulsion Debrief
TEACHERS:
These are just a couple of the debrief questions. You will find all of the debrief questions in the debrief document.
what type of contract did you choose, and what were the requirements of that contract?
Example: The Green Contract is eco-friendly. This means the types of materials and fuels that can be used should not harm the environment (Including space and Martian environments).
to meet contract requirements, What design choices and trade-offs did you make?
What types of design criteria and constraints did you consider when choosing:
Different types of engines?
Different types of fuel? (If required)
Different nozzles?
Did you make any trade-offs with your choices?
How did your design choices help or hurt you chances of reaching your contract requirements?
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

18. Module 2: Vehicle Design
You will choose and test a ship structure.
Each of the hired crewmembers that were selected to be part of the team will suggest a different ship structure template.
This template reflects your crewmembers’ characteristics and areas of expertise.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

19. Module 2: Vehicle Design
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20. Module 2: Vehicle Design Debrief
TEACHERS:
These are just a couple of the debrief questions. You will find all of the debrief questions in the debrief document.
When choosing your vehicle, did you think about What kinds of life support systems are required for the contract you selected?
What systems are needed to keep humans alive and comfortable in space?
What differences in life support systems are required for different contracts?
What are the challenges with taking a crew and passengers to Mars? Please explain.
How did your propulsion design choices affect what choices you could make later in the design process?
How are mass and cost related to the reliability of the vehicle?
Are the most expensive parts always the most reliable?
Do lighter materials tend to be cheaper or more expensive?
Do you remember which materials were most reliable?
Which materials did you consider as part of your solution?
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

21. Module 3: Lander Design You will choose your lander for this mission.
Each of the hired crewmembers you selected will suggest a different lander template that reflects their characteristics and areas of expertise.
The templates describe different countermeasures that the lander can deploy during the descent to the Martian surface (i.e., retrothrusters, parachutes).
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

22. Module 3: Lander Design
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23. Module 3: Lander Design
Countermeasure Definition: A measure or action taken to counter or offset another one. For example, the use of a parachute when falling.
5 levels of ideal MACH speeds: hypersonic, supersonic, transonic, and subsonic.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

24. Module 3: Lander Design Debrief
TEACHERS:
These are just a couple of the debrief questions. You will find all of the debrief questions in the debrief document.
Mars and Earth are very different planets. What are these differences and how do they affect the design of a lander?
If possible use the following website during discussion of this question.
Helpful website:
Do Mars and Earth have the same gravity? Please explain.
How would differences in gravity affect the design of a lander?
Do Mars and Earth have the same type of atmosphere? How would atmosphere affect your lander design, especially with parachutes? Would the drag be different?
How does carrying people in the lander affect your design (compared to landing an unmanned rover)?
Did safety concerns affect your design? Why or why not?
Are certain types of countermeasures better for manned landing vehicles? Please explain.
What sort of impact systems did you end up using and why?
How was that system related to safety?
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

25. Module 4: Bidding
You make a bid on your chosen contract based on the completed design work. You will be able to add additional cargo, passengers, and fuel if you wish using cost sliders across categories. You can also add in additional cost for your engine, ship, and lander. These costs will add to the actual cost of the ship as built and become the bid offer to the contract company. The company will reject bids that are too high.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

26. Module 4: Bidding
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

27. Module 4: Bidding Debrief
TEACHERS:
These are just a couple of the debrief questions. You will find all of the debrief questions in the debrief document.
Why is developing an optimal bid better than an accepted bid?
How can you optimize your outcomes during bidding?
What trade-offs did you make in order to optimize your outcomes?
Bringing more food or less food?
Bringing more fuel or less fuel?
Bringing more crew or less crew?
Explain cost benefit analysis in terms of space travel.
What were the intended or unintended consequences based on the decisions you made during the bidding process?
To succeed in the game, why can’t you simply buy the most expensive parts? Why not just buy the cheapest parts?
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

28. Module 5: Taking Roles & Flight
Once the vehicle has been designed, tested, and built within the game environment, you will launch and fly your creations and payloads to Mars. You will control two of your crewmember NPCs who must keep the ship flying by repairing and restoring systems as they fail.
Once the ship has reached Mars, you will deploy your landers to the surface. As your lander speeds toward the surface, the quality of your chosen lander will be tested in addition to the types of countermeasures available.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

29. Module 5: Taking Roles & Flight
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

30. Module 5: Taking Roles & Flight
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

31. Module 5: Taking Roles & Flight Debrief
What problems did you need to solve to make your journey successful?
Were you able to solve the problems to your satisfaction?
Did you have to retry your flight several times?
Did you have to go back to the “drawing board”?
Why do you think that there are separate vehicles for spaceflight and landing?
What are some of the different design criteria for a space vehicle and a landing vehicle?
What is required for a landing vehicle as opposed to a space vehicle?
Why do you think there are separate vehicles for landing and spaceflight at all?
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

32. After Action Review: Debrief
How did you do?
Did you make or lose money?
What kind of feedback did you receive?
What could you have done better?
What affected your decisions most?
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

33. Homework Review Assignment 1: Cost of Exploration
Note to Teachers: Most (but not all) of the homework questions are listed here. Please refer to the homework document for the full list of questions.
Assignment 1: Cost of Exploration
For the Apollo budget, what was the largest part of the budget in 1963? In 1966?
In 1963, what percentage of the budget went to life support?
What were the total costs of rocket development in 1966? How much more was the cost in 1966?
What factors could have contributed to the change in rocket development costs between 1963 and 1966?
Note to Teachers: Most (but not all) of the homework questions are listed here. Please refer to the homework document for the full list of questions.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

34. Homework Review Assignment 2: Rocket Math
What is the Δv for the Rocket 1 (Fuse) and Rocket 3 (Helicat)? Which one is greater?
What did you learn from plotting all five rockets on a graph?
Will the Fuse or Helicat go higher? Explain.
For both the Estes B6-4 and Estes C11-5 engines, what are their maximum thrusts?
The price of the C11-5 rocket is $10.99, while the price for the B6-4 is $9.79. Which one gets the most thrust for the cost?
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

35. Homework Review Assignment 3: Breathe Easy
The exercise room on the spaceship is 14.5 m3. If three people were in the room, doing Normal Work, how long (in hours) would it take for the sensors to set off an alarm at 5% CO2 concentration?
You are designing a safe, sleeping habitat for your four crewmembers. Due to your budget, you can only afford a CO2 scrubber that removes CO2 at a rate of 0.05 m3/h. What is the smallest the habitat room can be in order to ensure the CO2 concentration stays below 5%?
Normal indoor conditions have a CO2 concentration of 0.06%. Would it be a good idea to have no CO2 at all? Explain.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

36. Homework Review Assignment 4: It’s a Drag
Find the force of drag for the parachutes on the Pathfinder and Phoenix landing crafts.
For putting a fragile cargo on the lander:
Which lander would fulfill this requirement, as well as provide the slowest landing?
Which one of these would fulfill the Mach requirement and provide the smallest parachute?
Instead of a parachute, you want to put two retrothrusters on your lander. Using the drag that you found for the Phoenix lander’s parachute in question 1, what force would each retrothruster have to produce in order to provide the same force as the parachute?
What are the areas for Viking 1&2 and Pathfinder in ft2?
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0

37. Homework Review Assignment 5: Stopping for Directions
What are the areas for Viking 1&2 and Pathfinder now in ft2?
If NASA scientists decided to start the cruise at a higher orbit because of instrument testing. This orbit has an altitude of 3200 km. What speed is the spacecraft going at this orbit?
When going to Mars, any probes or vehicles must reach an “orbital insertion” or reach a stable orbit that “catches” Mars’s gravity. For Mars Odyssey, this capture orbit was 400 km above Mars’s surface. What was the energy of the craft at capture orbit?
Was the energy higher or lower for the Mars capture orbit? Explain.
Project Lead The Way, Inc. Copyright 2012 AE – AeroEngineer: Race to Mars – Game Introduction 1.0