Kelly

Facts We Need to Know in Order to get a Rover to Mars

 * Mars is the fourth planet in our __solar__ system, which is after Earth, and the last of the rocky planets.
 * Mars’s surface is covered with iron-rich soil that reacts with the small amounts of oxygen in the Martian atmosphere to __form__ iron oxide (rust). The Surface also has rocks of basalt, a dark volcanic rock.
 * Mars is about half the size of Earth but doesn’t have any surface __water__.
 * Mars is 56 – 399 __million__ km away from Earth, and is 1.52 times as far as Earth from the __sun__.
 * Surface Pressure: about 1/100th that of Earth, plus you’ll need a spacesuit to hold your internal organs in.
 * Mars has a crater, Borealis Basin that covers about 40% of surface, as well as a volcano, Olympus Mons which rises 27 km and is about the size of __the state__ of Arizona!
 * The time to travel to Mars is approximately 214 days (Earth days).
 * The Hohmann transfer orbits are used, which are __elliptical__ orbits used to transfer between two coplanar, circular orbits. It typically requires two engine impulses to move a spacecraft on and off the transfer orbit.
 * At the __end__ of the transfer orbit (which is around the __Sun__) __the craft__ will need another velocity __to enter__ the Mars orbit. The velocity to enter Mars orbit will have to be __less than__ the velocity needed to __continue__ in the transfer orbit, so the craft will have to decelerate enough for Martian gravity to capture it. Relatively small bursts from high thrust engines are required to alter the velocity; therefore, __saving__ fuel and lowering the capacity as well as the weight requirements of the spacecraft.
 * Using a nuclear powered rocket would significantly shorten the __trip__ (since the Hohmann transfer orbits would be bypassed). The more direct route would __shave__ the time down from a little over 7 months to about 4 months! These time __savings__ would be crucial to the overall survival __rate__ of the humans if they were to ever explore the planet.
 * Mars has 38% of Earth’s gravity and 44% of the sunlight.


 * Mars has large sand/dust storms that can block the sun so many be difficult to always use the __solar panels__ for __energy__ production.
 * Need enough fuel to get enough thrust to leave Earth’s gravity.
 * At its closest, Mas is 35 __million__ miles from earth so we want to launch when they are closer so we get there quicker. Takes about 7-8 months (214 days).
 * Launch __Window__ occurs every 2 years
 * Mars’ gravity is about 1/3 of Earth’s.
 * Mars has strong seasons due to its tilt so need to be able to store __energy__ for winter.
 * Temperature is cold (-125 to 25 __degrees__ C) so rover would need to withstand the temperatures
 * Make rover sturdy to minimize need for repairs.
 * Rover needs to be as dust proof as possible
 * Mars’ surface is rocky, hundreds of thousands of craters, large mountains, and the largest canyon in the solar system so need to choose a flat landing area.
 * Mars has polar caps made out of frozen __carbon dioxide__ and __water__ so need to land away from these.
 * Rover needs high traction wheels in order to move across the rocky, sandy terrain.
 * Mars has 2 moons

//Ms. Mc: Lots of good points about Mars and its conditions! Next time, just add on to what you've alread done when we review in class. You were to relate each fact to how it would affect either getting a rover to Mars or having it __work__ on Mars' surface (-1). __Good job__ overall! 9/10//

History of Rocketry
Rockets have advanced significantly through out the years beginning with something as simple as the Hero Engine which was created around 100 BC. This engine was only just a __sphere__ mounted on top of water kettle with a flame beneath turning the water into steam which then traveled through pipes that escaped through two L-shaped tubes on opposing sides that gave a thrust to the sphere that caused it to rotate. (See Picture 1) This may have not been the first rocket because just when the first true rockets came out is unclear. The Chinese reportedly had the first gunpowder, but it is unknown weather they were the first to have rockets or not. Speaking of the Chinese, they found various ways to employ early rockets, such as fire-arrows and fire works. These fire arrows were a simple form of a solid-propellant rocket used in war against the Mongols. (See Picture 2) Following this war, the idea of rocketry began to spread around the world. In Russia, 1898, Konstantin Tsiolkvosky thought of the idea: space exploration by rocket. He also suggested the idea of liquid propellants in order to achieve greater range for rockets. For his visions, ideas, and particularly careful research he has been called the: Father of Modern Astronautics. Another Father, the Father of Modern Rocketry, American scientist: Robert H. Goddard conducted other experiments in rocketry. He achieved the first successful liquid-propellant flight with a rocket on March 16th, 1926. All though the flight's results were less than impressive today, they were a beginning of a whole new era in rocket flight back then. The V-2 rocket was another rocket used in warfare. It was a formidable weapon that could devastate whole city blocks that was used originally by the German's against their enemies. The countries they faced with these impressive military weapon rockets stole the idea of rocketry in military quickly. Countries such as the United States and Russia became quickly interested in rocket warfare and started searching for new ways to innovate rockets. In 1957 the Soviet Union produced an orbiting satellite called Sputnik I. The United States followed this by creating a satellite of their own, Explorer. In October they created the space program: the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) which had the goal of peaceful exploration of space for the benefit of all humankind. As you can see, rockets have evolved since 100 BC and will continue to advance as the years go by. //Ms. Mc: Great summary and drawings! Please refer to your figures in your text (i.e., "as seen in Figure 2"). 10/10//

media type="custom" key="14045190"
Instructions to Run simulation: 1) Turn on Sound 2) Hit the Green Flag 3) Hit the Red Circle to stop the Simulation. 4) If the video is not appearing, click the: Learn More About this Project link. 5) Enjoy :)

Anneka- I really liked your rocket, but i didn't really understand why you had the number box. Also, you had a really good flight! Great job

Natalie- I thought it was really interesting that you put the lyrics to G6 in the simulation. The rocket's movement when it was about to land on mar's was a little bit weird and not natural. I really liked your rover at the end it gave a little bit of humor to the simulation.

Cameron L. - I liked the sounds you put in the simulation, but I really think you should have had a count down timer sound for the 5 sec countdown. Really great script and I think Chuck was my favorite! ;)

Baez- I liked your descriptions. You should have made the background fit the screen. Your rover was cute.

Esra- I liked the lift off and how smooth it went flying through space. During the ejection of the rover there is some white space in the background though. I really liked the rover, nice Afro Kelly!!!

Rocket Parts
The parts of the rocket all have different roles that affect the flight/launch of the rocket. The nose cone breaks the air around the rocket and streamlines. The body tube is the main structuring part of the rocket and keeps everything on the inside secure. The recovery system recovers your rocket after it has launched and keeps it safe from destruction. The Recovery Wadding protects the recovery system from the heat and gas from the launch. The launch lug navigates the rocket off the launch pad and keeps it in a straight line. The motor mount will hold the motor in its place. The fins on a rocket help keep the rocket flying in a straight direction and keep it stable. A rocket motor powers the rocket and is what causes the thrust. //Ms. Mc: great diagram and descriptions! Don't define something with the same words in its name though (i.e., recovery system) - 1/2. Please include a caption for your uploaded files and refer to their # in your text. Good job! 9.5/10//

MSL Launch/ Atlas V 541 Rocket
The Atlas V 541 Rocket, with a height of 191 feet (58 meters) and mass of 1.17 million pounds (531,000 kilograms), was the rocket chosen for the Mars Science Laboratory Launch. It was chosen because it had the correct liftoff capability for the hefty weight requirements and also because rockets in the same family as this one had successfully completed various missions prior to this one. The Atlas V 541 rocket is made out of five main parts (As seen in Figure 1). The Payload Fairing, or nose cone, protects the spacecraft during the ascent through Earth's atmosphere. There were also four solid rocket motors that increased the engine thrust attached to a central common core booster. There is also a one-engine Centaur upper stage which is a fuel and oxygen tanks that feed an engine for the ascent and power the spacecraft into Earth's orbit. **The diagram below shows extra parts such as the Payload adapters and the RD-180 main engine.**

//Ms. Mc: Great overview and diagram of the launch vehicle! 10/10//

Results
====The purpose of this experiment was to discover if the mass of a rocket affected the maximum height of apogee. Acceleration is formed and emitted when a force acts on a mass. So considering Newton’s 2nd law: F=ma (Force equals mass times acceleration), the greater the mass of the rocket (or object), the greater the amount of force is that’s needed to accelerate the object. When the rocket lifts off, thrust overcomes gravity and accelerates the rocket upwards. The rocket then flies with the power of inertia (inertia is an object’s resistance to change its motion), even though the force of air resistance (The force acting against gravity when an object is acceleration in the air.) and gravity are going against the rocket. Finally the rockets hits it apogee when it pauses for a moment because the force of gravity overcomes the force of inertia and thrust. Afterwards the rocket descends. It was hypothesized that a rocket with a larger mass would have a smaller apogee because it takes more force to accelerate an object with a larger mass. ====

====The results of the experiment are recorded in Graph #1. The mass of the rockets ranged from 42.9 (g) to 46.2 (g), but the average mass was around 44.4 (g). The apogee for the rockets ranged from 57.7 (m) to 78.1 (m), but the average apogee was around 62.1 (m). The results don’t really have a relationship; there is no direct relationship and only a little inverse because the data was spread out and a little erratic. The results do not follow a pattern in any way. The hypothesis made was incorrect. The mass of the rocket does not affect the apogee of a rocket as much as estimated. For example, the lightest rocket (42.5 g) had a smaller apogee than a rocket that was 44.8 (g). However, the variables in this experiment could have affected the results. In two of the flights the motor fell out of the rocket at launch, and for three launches only one measurement was recorded. The angle guns also could have been handled inaccurately and the wind could have affected a few of the flights which veered left or right. The sample size of 8 rockets could have also been too small for the experiment to be in full affect. One of the rockets that had an extreme result had the fins on incorrectly so that was also a variable in this experiment. ====

Rocket Fin Redesign


The rocket fins will have a smaller mass and the flat bottomed fins will hopefully help with accuracy and stability. The fourth fin will also hopefully help with stability (As seen in Figure 1).

Unfortunately, our team's second launch was a failure. The rocket seemed prepped and ready for launch, but it wasn't. The countdown completed and the launcher button was pressed, but the flight expected did not occur. Instead, the engine ignited and "exploded" on the launch pad and did not move a single inch. It smelled like smoke, but that wasn't the problem. The rocket was smoking (literally) when we pulled it off and one of the added fins was flailing and about a minute and a half later fell off. The rocket was scrutinized once more but no problem could be found. It's still a mystery as to why or how our rocket was motionless. The rocket for our first launch was 42.9 (g), and in the second launch our rocket was 42.8 (g). So this 0.1 (g) of difference shouldn't have really made a difference. Since the apogee of the first launch was 67.5 (m), and the apogee of this launch was 0 (m), the first launch was significantly better. The engine and the lighter may have had an affect on the rocket because that part of the launch obviously failed. Although it was a high possibility that the placement of fins were off, and that one fin was too close to the launch lug; this was untrue. The fins were evenly spaced, none of which touched or were "too close" to the launch lug. Our center of gravity/pressure were pretty balanced so this was probably not the case. Because the rocket failed before exiting the ground, the error must have occurred with the engine/ lighter/ or stopper.

History of Robots/Robotics
Robotics date back to the earliest dates. In, 350 B.C a Greek mathematician, Archystas, built a mechanical bird named "the Pigeon" which was propelled by steam. This was one of the first models of flight and robotics to ever be created. Even earlier, Ctesibus, in 200 BC, created/designed the water clocks which were a great breakthrough in design. If you fast forward a bit in history, you come to 1801 AD, in which Joseph Jacquard invented the automated loom. In 1921, t he term "robot" was used in a play called "R.U.R." or "Rossum's Universal Robots" for the first time, by a Czech writer, Karel Capek. 41 years later, the first industrial arm robot is introduced. It was designed to complete hazardous tasks on a General Motors assembly line, and it was called: "The Unimate". As you can see, as technology advanced, so did robotics.

In 1969, The Stanford Arm (as seen in Picture 1) was the first electrically powered, computer-controlled robot arm. In 1970, just one year later,  Shakey was introduced by the SRI International as the first mobile robot controlled by artificial intelligence. In 1977, The Voyager 1 & 2 were launched into space. These were both Rover's created for the purpose of exploration of Space. Robotics began to increase in popularity quickly and in 1994 and 1995, the first and second Robot Wars occurred which were started by Marc Thorpe (as seen in Picture 2 with his first competing robot). After 1998, Lego's MINDSTORM line of applications and sets became popular. Opportunity and Spirit were also two rovers launched by NASA to help with exploration to Mars. Curiosity is another rover that is flying through space right now towards Mars. Robotics help people in work, in life, and are helping science and changing the world as we know it.

//Ms. Mc - good overview and figures. Please call them "figures" and not "pictures" and use their # when you refer to them in your text. How are robots primarily used today? (-1/2) I like how you included robots in space and Lego Mindstorms. 9.5/10//

On The Edge Challenge
The purpose of this challenge was to simulate a rover roaming on Mars and then needing to stop at a certain point to avoid falling "off the edge". Using the LEGO Mindstorm Robotic Software we were told to program the rocket move forward after being started by the word: "Go!",then stop when it reached the black tape, and then call out: "Watch Out!".

media type="file" key="kcb_roboticsvideo.AVI" width="300" height="300" Video #1- Robot in the: "On the Edge" challenge.



Block 1 represents a waiting block which is waiting for the sound sensor to be activated. When it detects a sound louder than 50 decibels, the next block will be able to start. The sound sensor is deployed in port 2.

Block 2 is a motion block that allows the robot to move in different directions for certain amounts of time. This block is being activated in ports C and B. It is also telling to robot to move forward for an unlimited amount of time. It's only on a power of 22 because our robot was being aggravating so in order to get the stoppage of the robot to work, we had to slow it down...a lot.

Block 3 is another waiting block which this time is waiting for the light sensor to be activated. When the light sensor senses a light that is less than 40%. it activates the next block. The light sensor is in port 3.

Block 4 is another motion block that stops the robot. When activated from ports C and B, this motion blocks stops the robot.

The Fifth and Final Block is a sound block which is used to play a tone or a sound file on the robot. This block is set to play the robot saying: "Watch Out!" at 75% Volume. It will play after it stops, and it will not repeat.

//Ms. Mc - excellent figures and explanation! 20/20//

Life On Mars
Although negative results from experiments in the 1960s and 1970s gave a pessimism view to the consideration of life on Mars, there were some positive factors. The first was the recognition that life could survive in a far wider range of conditions than was originally thought to be plausible (example: near deep sea vents at temperatures well over 1,800 o F, etc.). The second was the discovery that the life on Earth started very quickly, possibly before the end of heavy bombardment, which possibly means that the origin of life is not a very low probability event, but instead will follow if the correct conditions are present. The third is evidence that conditions on earlier Mars, when life was rising on Earth, were Earth-oriented/Earth-like. A fourth reasons is recognition that Earth and Mars have exchanged materials. More than 30 pieces of Mars have been found on Earth. In 1996, not only did the Viking 2 spacecraft take pictures of surfaces on Mars (see Figure 1), but scientists were also shocked when a group of experimenters announced that they'd found evidence of life in a Martian meteorite. To help support their results, they listed bacteria-like objects in electron microscope imagery, detection of hydrocarbons, mineral assemblages that weren't produced in chemical equilibrium, and magnetic particles similar to those produced by some Earth bacteria. This announcement caused many controversy's, and is today considered most likely invalid/false. However, the main driver of the Mars exploration program is still the search for life. Liquid water is an indispensable part of life therefor the initial focus has been on the search for evidence of warm conditions that would enable the repetition of liquid H 2 O. Another Rover that helped discover chances for life on Mars was Phoenix (see Figure 2). Phoenix was able to find results with the Weather, Climate, Surface Chemistry, and Landscape that gave proof that life could have once existed on Mars.



A microbe (or microorganism) is created out of either a single cell or a cluster of cells. In 1675, Anton van Leeuwenhoek discovered microorganisms using his personally designed microscope. Microorganisms are very diverse; some types include: fungi, bacteria, algae, and protozoa. (For a picture of protozoa microbes, see Figure 3 .) A controversial example of microbes would be viruses; certain microbiologists (people who study microbiology, which is the study of microorganisms) do not consider viruses as microbes, and others do. If you were to classify a microbe as living, non-living, dead, or dormant, you would need the eight characteristics of life. If the microbe were to have all eight requisites, it would be considered living. The first aspect of eight would be that the microbe would need to be made up of cells. All microbes have cells which are the "building blocks of life" and make up your body. The second would be the ability to be homeostatic. Homeostasis is important to organisms because they need it to balance the amounts of water lost with the amounts taken in, and it also is what keeps the organism the same. The third trait is the need of materials for energy. All living things need energy to function and to live. The next trait is that in order for the microbe to be living it has to respond to stimuli. The microbe would also need to be able to reproduce. It would have to be able to grow, and release energy (respire). Finally, it would have to adapt to conditions. If the microorganism had all eight traits, it of course would be living. If it used to have all of these traits, but ceased to currently, it would be dead. If it had none of these traits or only a few, it would be non-living, and finally, if it had most, but some were stopped momentarily or slowed, it would be dormant. This is how you would classify a microbe.

// Ms. Mc - excellent summary and discussion of how you would classify a Mars specimen. Phoenix was a lander (couldn't move around) and not a rover. 10/10 //