Hey there! Today, we’re going to learn about Mars, the Red Planet, with our friends. Mars is a fascinating place with some amazing features, like the biggest volcano in the Solar System and even blue sunsets! Wouldn’t it be cool to see them?
Going to Mars isn’t as simple as just hopping on a rocket. Scientists and engineers have to plan everything very carefully. You can’t launch a spaceship to Mars whenever you want because both Mars and Earth are moving around the Sun at different speeds and distances.
Sometimes, Mars and Earth are close to each other, and sometimes they’re far apart. To make the trip, we have to wait for the perfect time when the planets are in the right spots. These special times are called “launch windows,” and they only happen every 26 months, which is a little over two years.
If a rocket misses its launch window, it has to wait for the next one, which can take a long time. You could launch at another time, but it would need a lot more fuel, making the rocket heavier and harder to launch. Once a rocket is on its way, the trip to Mars takes about seven to nine months because space is really big!
Traveling to Mars is dangerous because of space weather. Space weather comes from the Sun, which sends out tiny particles called the solar wind. Sometimes, the Sun sends out a big burst of these particles, creating a solar storm. These can be harmful to astronauts.
On Earth, we’re safe from space weather, but spaceships need special materials to protect astronauts. For example, lead can block harmful particles, but it’s heavy. So, spaceships need to be light and have a small protected room for astronauts during storms. Scientists on Earth help by predicting storms and warning astronauts.
Once the spaceship reaches Mars, landing is another challenge. The ship will be moving very fast, and the air around Mars will get really hot. To protect the ship, it needs a heat shield. After slowing down, the ship needs other ways to land safely.
We’ve learned a lot from landing robots on Mars. One fun method used giant airbags, but for humans, we might use a big parachute and small rockets to gently lower the spacecraft to the ground.
Getting to Mars won’t be easy, but it’s exciting! Scientists and engineers are working hard to solve all the challenges. When the first astronauts finally get to Mars, they’ll be able to explore a whole new planet!
Even though we can’t visit Mars just yet, there’s so much to learn. Keep exploring and discovering new things about our amazing universe!
Create Your Own Mars Mission: Gather some art supplies like paper, crayons, and markers. Imagine you are an astronaut planning a mission to Mars. Draw a picture of your spaceship and the things you would take with you. Think about what you might need for the long journey and once you arrive on Mars. Share your drawing with a friend or family member and explain why you chose those items.
Launch Window Game: Use a ball to represent Earth and another object, like a toy, to represent Mars. Have a friend or family member help you. Take turns moving the Earth and Mars around a pretend Sun in the middle of the room. Try to find the best time to “launch” a small paper rocket from Earth to Mars by tossing it gently. Notice how sometimes Mars is closer and sometimes it’s farther away. Discuss why timing is important for a real Mars mission.
Space Weather Experiment: Learn about how astronauts stay safe from space weather. Use a flashlight to represent the Sun and sprinkle some glitter or confetti to show the solar wind. Shine the flashlight on the glitter to see how it spreads. Now, use a small box or container to represent a spaceship. Cover it with different materials like paper, foil, or fabric to see which one blocks the most light. Discuss how these materials might protect astronauts from solar storms.
