Evie

4/9/12 Log Entry #1 Facts you need to know about Mars in order for a rover to explore there.
 * Mars was named after the roman god of agriculture
 * Its mild temperament is similar to earths
 * Evidence shows mars once consumed water
 * The surface of Mars is red
 * Contains rocks/salt/particles
 * Has two moons
 * The largest volcano in the universe is on mars
 * Is impacted by craters
 * 34 million to 250 million miles
 * Need to know Mars' orbit in order to line up with it
 * Has huge dust storms
 * Mars is cold ( -125 degrees C to 25 degrees so rover needs to withstand the condistions.
 * Takes 214 days to get to Mars

//Ms. Mc: good facts about Mars and its conditions, however, you were to relate each fact how it might impact how a rover might get there or its ability to work on its surface (-2). Some facts aren't really important for the purpose of the rover (i.e., why Mars was named Mars) (-1/2). Good additions from class discussion. If you aren't able to get everything in class, let me know and I can get the information to you. 7.5/10//

4/9/12 Log entry #2 History of Rocketry

Rocket History: Then and Now. Rockets have made incredibly history for many years all over the world. From incredible things such as the first mission to the moon and other more negative things such as missions gone wrong. Either way we most likely wouldn't have achieved what we have today without rockets. During many wars the Chinese, who greatly influenced the production of rockets, used them in battles. The rockets, similar to what we think of arrows, helped the Chinese immensely to target their opponents. Many people even believe the Chinese were responsible for the spr ead of rockets to Europe. Along with the Chinese, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky contributed to the production of rockets as well. Tsiolkovsky proposed the idea to explore space and planets using rocketry. He also concluded the simple idea that the more liquid //propellant// you have the faster and further the rockets will move. On March 16th the Goddard achieved t he first ever liquid propellants fueled rocket to take flight. Nasa, a very important organisation in the astronimical world was probably one of the largest advancements that lead to our studies. It was created to form a peaceful exploration of the solar system. It was created after the launch of Exploration 1. //Ms. Mc: good general overview but please include dates when discussing history (-1). You drew a picture of the Hero Engine but didn't discuss it (-1). Left out the V2 rocket and first satellite, Sputnik (-1). Please refer to your figures in your text (i.e., "as seen in Figure 1"). 7/10//

4/9/12 Log Entry 3 Mission to Mars Project media type="custom" key="14055556" Press Green Button to Play Turn on sound Press Red Button to stop = Katie- I love your rocket design! Your transitions were a little off though. Overall, I loved your simulation! =

Kaelin- This is really good! i think when its flying through space it could go a little bit smother and in a strait line but besides that it was great :) I also really liked the rocket Popsicle!

4/17/2012 Log Entry 4 Rocket Parts

There are many parts of a rocket that each have their own job during the many processes of a rocket flight. The first part of the rocket, the nose cone, guides rocket whilst it is in flight. The nose cone makes it Glide easier through the air because it using airo-dynamics. Next is the body tube, it is the main part of the rocket and is the strongest. The body tube holds the recovery system and wadding because it is the largest area in the rocket.The recovery system, a device that is usually some type of " Parachute " helps bring the rocket back to safety, so that the rocket can be used again. The recovery wadding protects the parachute inside the body tube. It is stored below the parachute and above the motor. When the motor lights on figher it protects the parachute from being damaged. Subsequently,the launch lug is what is placed through the wire during the lift off process. The fins are the triangular like pieces attatch to the rocket. They, like the nose cone, guided the rocket through the air and help the rocket at all times during flight. The last part of the rocket,the motor mount is a device that is needed to hold the motor in place. With out this the rocket could lose its motor. The rocket motor is a huge part of the rocket lift off. Without this the rocket would not be able to leave the launch pad. The motor is what powers the rocket to take flight and lift off. All of these parts are greatly needed for a rocket to lift off.

// Ms. Mc: great definitions and labels! 10/10 //

Log Prompt 5 Atlas V541

The atlas V 541, is a rocket that is commonly used to carry rovers to mars. The atlas V 541is about 191 feet toll and weighs at approximately 1 million pounds. The rocket, compared to many others, is one of the lightest ones so there for it is chosen to carry the heavy rovers. is composed of many parts that are key elements in sending the rover to Mars. The first part is the nose cone, measuring about 16.4 ft, used to glide the rocket through the air. The second part, is the four solid rocket boosters that add thrust for the rocket to take off. Next, is the central common core booster, which is also used for thrust. Lastly is the engaging centaur that accelerates the rocket out of the earth and to mars. The atlas V 541 is so commonly chosen for launches because of its lighter mass. The reason why these rockets are so popular is because previous Atlas V541 rockets, and ones similar to it, have been successful in over flights.

// Ms. Mc - Good general overview of the launch vehicle, however, the Atlas V-541 has been used to carry orbiters to Mars but not rovers prior to Curiosity. Please read over to check for typos. (-1/2) You were to include a picture with a caption that you referred to (-3). -10% (1 pt. late) 5.5/10 //

Log Prompt #6 4/24/2012

__The Apogee's of rockets in Mrs. McCoppin's Class__

The purpose of the experiment was to test and see how high the rockets made in Mrs. McCoppin's class went, depending on their apogee. The rockets were placed outside and launched on a launching pad. Depending on the mass, wind, conditions and rocket the apogee's would vary. During the liftoff process the rockets acting on the rocket were gravity, air and thrust. The air affects the apogee by possibly causing friction and air resistance. Gravity, which is one of the most critical factors, can vary the apogee and forcing the rocket down. Lastly the thrust that is pushed up upon the rocket during lift off can affect the apogee, by either slowing down or speeding up the rocket. It was hypothesized the rocket would hopefully launch straight into the sky and then veer to the right, left or back. This is because the rocket was of a heavier weight and therefore it wouldn't go as high as the other rockets and would veer to a certain direction.

The data showed that during the experiment there were many different apogee's, depending on the mass. The lowest apogee was 18.5 ft. Compared to the other apogee's this measurement was extremely low, it was assumed that this happened because of miss -calculations. Because the weather, on average was the same, mass was the main factor that lead to apogee. The highest apogee was 107.24 m., this was reached by a rocket with a mass of 42.8 g.Another rocket, claiming the same mass, only went 70 m. The reasoning of why this is, is because the construction or thrust of the rockets may have been different. It was possible that some rockets may have received more of any electrical thrust then others. The hypothesis was proved correct because many of the rockets launched straight up and then veered into a certain direction. There for, the relationship in the graph was indirect because as the masses got larger the apogee were lower. For example the highest mass of 46, had one of the lowest apogee's.The lowest mass of 107 had the highest apogee so there for this proves that the relationship was indirect.

Log Prompt 7 4/30/2012 Flight 2

Rocket Re-Design



For the second flight trial a few alterations were made to the design of the rocket. At first, an extra fin was added to the top half of the rocket. This was added to possibly help with a smoother flight and also to see how the rocket would react to it. Though, It was taken off because it interfered with the launch lug on the rocket. After the fin was taken away, the final alteration was making slits in the fins. By doing this, it was assumed that the rocket would have more air-dynamics. By having more airo-dynamics it makes it easier for the rocket to glide through the air. Other than the slits, there was no alteration in terms of shape or placement.

During the second re-flight the new rocket flew reasonably higher than the it did during the previous flight. This may be because the mass of the redesigned rocket was lighter than the mass of the old rocket. The mass of the old rocket was _ and the mass of the new rocket was __46. During the flight the rocket flew approximately__ 36.4 meters which was slightly higher than the old apogee. This was most likely because of the new design of the fins. The flight of the path was fairly straight up which was also another factor in the success of the flight. Because the flight path was so straight it enable the rocket to reach a higher apogee.

Log Pompt #8

Science

Robotics has been a popular fascination in the world since almost the beginning of time. As of what historians know robotics began in 350 B.C, when a greek mathematician named Archytas, built a mechanical bird that ran on steam. Many researchers also believe that Aristotle played a part in the history of robotics. As he did once say, in 320 B.C “ If every tool, when ordered, or even of its own accord, could do the work that befits it... then there would be no need either of apprentices for the master workers or of slaves for the lord”.From then on people have been interested in the possibilities that robotics has to offer.

During the earlier periods of time before major inventions were created, inventors created forms of robotics using natural resources. Some of which consisted of wind, steam, plants, and water. Fortunately, as time evolved inventions such as electricity and new resources advanced the tools used to make robots. One of the most famous robots is the well-known R2D2 from Star Wars, shown in the picture below. This robot started the common trend, and appearance that many robots are now based on. Many robots invented have functions that benefit daily life. One incredibly popular robot, which many don’t usually consider as one, is the computer. This “robot” is used in house-holds almost every day, and is a vital resource in our society today. Many robots are used to produce larger things such as cars. As seen in the picture below, this incredibly large robot is quite a bit more complex then your average idea of a robot. Overall, robots have been evolving throughout history and will be continuing to develop and explore for years to come. //Ms. Mc - I like you how focused on how robots are primarily used today as well as discussed how robotics progressed over time. Since we are on a mission to search fo Life on Mars, the Mars rovers also should have been mentioned (-1/2). Please insert your figures in the order they are discussed and refer to them as "figure # __" in your text (-1/2). 9/10//

//Log prompt 10-// //On the edge// //5/17/2012//


 * Block 1:** The first block is the sound sensor, It senses sound greater than 50 and goes in port #2.
 * Block 2:** The second block controls movement. It goes forward forever with 75% power. The block interacts with ports C and B, who tell the robot to go and do the action.
 * Block 3:** The third block is the light sensor block, the light sensor in port 3 senses and moves until it senses a light that is less than 35.
 * Block 4:** The 4th block is also a motion block. After the robot senses light, it will stop with this block. This interacts with ports B and C, who tell the robot to do the action. (Will it brake or coast? -1/2)
 * Block 5:** The last block is the sound block, when the robot stops at the end it will say, “watch out!” The volume is up to its highest and it plays by itself. This block plays a sound file.

Missing general description of the challenge (-2).

//Ms. Mc - Good explanation of the code. Credit given for missing video as it was working when I checked it in class. 17.5/20//

//Log prompt 11// //Paragraphs// //6/4/2012//

For many years, people have been curious whether or not there truly is life on mars. Many speculators in the 1900's were doubtful, but others had high hopes once thoroughly researching it. Many researches put their time into discovering intelligent life on mars, but now the focus is on lifes origin and its capability to survive. During the 1960's many speculators began to believe that the changes seen at the telescope could have led to Marinor 9's attempts and the launch of the Viking lander. The Viking lander's experiments featured tests searching for metabolism and organic molecules. Although, once these came back negative, many have a more pessimistic view on life on Mars. Many things kept researchers more hopeful, some of them were from experiments and others were findings from mars. Scientists recognized that life can survive in wider range conditions, variety of temperatures and in acidic areas. Also, when scientists realized life started fairly quickly on earth they discovered that life can form on Mars, if they were to be in the right conditions. Scientists believed that when life was beginning to form on earth, it was also forming on Mars, therefore being a similar planet. Many meteorites were found on earth that were believed to have originated from mars. Once they were tested it was concluded that signs of life were found on the rocks. (although this is disputed now by many scientists.) The testing and researching of life on Mars is still in action, and based on the information we have concluded it is likely we will find more. A micro organism is a microscopic organism that consists of a single cell or cell clusters. These organisms can be incredibly diverse and can be forms of fungi, algae and bacteria. As seen in figure number 1, these things can be incredibly microscopic and hard to detect, so they must be observed under a microscope. Micro- organisms can also be in the form of a virus but many people consider these as non-living. For something to be non-living it can not reproduce or grow, although they can have aspects of living things. Living things can grow, reproduce, run off of energy, have cells, respond to stimuli, adapt, and need materials (and homeostatic). Characteristics of dead things are basically no-longer having the characteristics of a living thing. A dormant object has the characteristics of a living thing but have stopped, or in other words sleeping. (not fully functioning but could again under the right conditions). As observed in figure number 2, a sunflower seed is dormant object, but on the other hand in the other side the plant is living because it now living qualities. Micro organisms live in all places that feature water.



// Ms. Mc - good overview of the findings of spacecraft explorations of Mars and discussion of the 8 characteristics of life. How would you classify a specimen containing microbes? -1/2; 9.5/10 //