NASA’s rovers on Mars are helping us answer some of the biggest questions about our neighboring planet. These rovers, which are about 225 million kilometers away from Earth, rely on advanced technology that has been developed over many years. With the Mars 2020 mission, this technology is about to become even more sophisticated.
Dr. Vandi Verma has spent over eleven years working on Mars rovers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She explains that although these rovers perform many tasks, their computing power is quite limited compared to a typical smartphone. This is because Mars has high levels of radiation, requiring the use of special radiation-hardened computers.
To control the rover, NASA sends a set of instructions through the Deep Space Network. The data collected by the rover is sent back to Earth via orbiters around Mars. The science team then analyzes this data to decide on the rover’s next steps. Due to the vast distance between Mars and Earth, NASA cannot control the rover in real-time. This means that rover planners must carefully plan its movements in advance.
Safety is crucial, as there can be inaccuracies in data and positioning. The team must be cautious when placing sensitive instruments near rocks. Over the past 20 years, each mission has improved upon the last, enhancing the engineering and design of rovers like Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity. Mars 2020 will continue this legacy.
The Opportunity rover faced challenges when it got stuck in sandy terrain. This led to the development of visual odometry techniques, allowing the rover to use cameras to determine its movement based on images. For Mars 2020, a dedicated computer will enable faster visual odometry, helping the rover navigate more difficult terrain.
Mars 2020 will introduce several exciting innovations. After landing, the mission will deploy a small helicopter. This solar-powered helicopter will fly for short periods to gather data, marking the first time a helicopter will operate on Mars.
One of the most thrilling aspects of Mars 2020 is its plan to collect and store samples from Mars for future return to Earth. The rover will store sample cores in tubes at specific locations, with detailed maps for future missions to retrieve them. Once these samples are brought back to Earth, they will be analyzed in laboratories worldwide, a process that could take decades.
Exploring Mars has led to discoveries about its seasons and methane migration. Understanding Mars’s history and its relationship with Earth opens new scientific questions. The differences between Mars and Earth raise questions about why Mars became a dry planet while Earth remains full of life.
Eventually, humans will travel to Mars, and the discoveries made by the rovers will guide that journey. This episode was presented by the U.S. Air Force. For more episodes of Science in the Extremes, visit our channel. Don’t forget to subscribe and return to Seeker for more episodes. Thank you for watching!
Build your own model of a Mars rover using materials like cardboard, plastic bottles, and wheels. Think about the design features that help real rovers navigate Mars’s terrain. Present your model to the class, explaining how it would overcome challenges like sandy terrain and radiation.
Work in pairs to simulate the communication process between NASA and a Mars rover. One student will be the “rover” and the other the “NASA engineer.” Use a set of pre-written instructions to guide the “rover” through an obstacle course. Discuss the challenges of delayed communication and how it affects rover operations.
Research and create a timeline of Mars exploration, highlighting key missions and discoveries. Focus on how each mission has built upon the last, leading to the innovations of Mars 2020. Share your timeline with the class and discuss the importance of understanding Mars’s history.
Create a poster for a future Mars mission, incorporating elements like rover design, mission goals, and scientific objectives. Use creativity to envision new technologies or discoveries. Present your poster to the class, explaining how your mission would contribute to our understanding of Mars.
Participate in a class debate on the merits of human versus robotic exploration of Mars. Research both sides of the argument, considering factors like cost, safety, and scientific potential. Engage in a respectful debate, presenting your findings and listening to opposing viewpoints.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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NASA’s rovers on the surface of Mars are revealing answers to some of the biggest questions about our nearby planetary neighbor. Driving this rover, which is on average 225 million kilometers away from Earth, requires robust technology and years of development. And it’s about to get even more advanced with Mars 2020.
Dr. Vandi Verma has worked for over eleven years developing and operating Mars rovers at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. She explains that even though the rovers do a lot, the computing power on board is fairly limited compared to the average smartphone. This is due to the high levels of radiation on Mars, which necessitates the use of radiation-hardened computers.
To send commands to the rover, a compact set of instructions is uplinked through the Deep Space Network. Data is transmitted back to Earth via orbiters around Mars, which relay the information. The science team discusses the next steps based on the data received, and due to the distance between Mars and Earth, NASA cannot control the rover in real-time. Therefore, rover planners must meticulously map out the rover’s movements.
Safety is a primary concern, as there can be imprecision in data and positioning. The team must consider potential hazards when placing delicate instruments near rocks. Over the past 20 years, each mission has built upon the last, enhancing the engineering and design of rovers like Sojourner, Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity. Mars 2020 will continue this trend.
With the Opportunity rover, challenges arose when it encountered sandy terrain, leading to the development of visual odometry techniques. This allows the rover to use cameras to determine if it has moved based on the features in its images. For Mars 2020, a dedicated computer will enable faster visual odometry, allowing the rover to navigate more challenging terrain.
Mars 2020 will also include several significant firsts. After landing, the mission will deploy a small helicopter, which will be solar-powered and capable of flying for short durations to gather data. This marks the first time a helicopter will operate on Mars.
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of Mars 2020 is the plan to collect and store extraterrestrial samples for future return to Earth. The rover will store sample cores in tubes at designated locations, with detailed maps provided for future missions to retrieve them. Once these samples are brought back to Earth, they will be analyzed in laboratories worldwide, a process that could take decades.
Mars exploration has advanced significantly, leading to discoveries about Martian seasons and methane migration. Understanding the history of Mars and its relationship with Earth opens new avenues of scientific inquiry. The differences between the two planets raise questions about what caused Mars to become an arid environment while Earth remains vibrant and full of life.
Humans will eventually travel to Mars, and the discoveries made by the rovers will inform how that journey unfolds.
This episode was presented by the U.S. Air Force. For more episodes of Science in the Extremes, check out our channel. Don’t forget to subscribe and return to Seeker for more episodes. Thank you for watching!
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This version maintains the core content while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Mars – The fourth planet from the Sun in our solar system, known for its reddish appearance due to iron oxide on its surface. – Scientists are studying Mars to understand if it could have supported life in the past.
Rover – A robotic vehicle designed to explore the surface of a planet or moon. – The Mars rover sent back incredible images and data from the surface of the Red Planet.
NASA – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, responsible for the United States’ civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. – NASA launched a new mission to study the atmosphere of Mars.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry. – Advances in technology have made it possible to send rovers to distant planets.
Data – Facts and statistics collected together for reference or analysis. – The rover transmitted valuable data back to Earth, helping scientists learn more about Mars.
Engineering – The branch of science and technology concerned with the design, building, and use of engines, machines, and structures. – Engineering teams work tirelessly to ensure that spacecraft can withstand the harsh conditions of space.
Samples – Small parts or quantities intended to show what the whole is like, often used for scientific analysis. – The rover collected rock samples from Mars to be analyzed for signs of past life.
Exploration – The action of traveling in or through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it. – Space exploration has expanded our understanding of the universe beyond our planet.
Radiation – The emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles that cause ionization. – Astronauts must be protected from harmful radiation when traveling to Mars.
Innovation – The introduction of new ideas, methods, or devices. – Innovation in spacecraft design has allowed for longer and more complex missions to other planets.
