Voyage
to Mars
Encounter Earth
Rendezvous with a
Comet |
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Missions
The Challenger Learning Center's programs are
based on NASA plans for future explorations. Each mission shares
a similar format, with teams working in both a space station simulator
(or Mars Transport) and in Mission Control (or Mars Control).
Mission Summaries (click in left column for details):
Note: Challenger Center for Space Science Education is in the process of upgrading all scenarios. Due to some technical issues, the Encounter Earth® mission will not be ready to fly for the 2007-2008 school year. We apologize and hope that you will consider flying either the Voyage to Mars® or Rendezvous with a Comet® mission instead.
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Voyage to Mars
The time: late 21st Century. Scientists are
building a second Mars research base, Chryse Station, at the site
of the first Viking Lander. A new crew that will live on Mars
for at least two years is about to arrive on the Mars-Earth Transport.
They have just entered the Mars Flight Zone when conditions on
Mars create hazards for the crew. Appropriate for grades 5-8. |
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Rendezvous with a Comet
In the not-too-distant future, a crew on board
the newly completed Challenger Space Station is performing the
first mission ever to originate from Earth orbit. Their goal is
to complete the assembly of a probe and launch it to rendezvous
with Comet Encke and continue to a flyby of the asteroid Ceres
before returning to Earth where scientists will study the collected
particles. Appropriate for grades 5-8. |
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Encounter Earth
In the summer of 2137, a low Earth orbiting
(LEO) satellite collecting probe data to be sent to ground-based
stations has malfunctioned and must be replaced. The elite ERS-1
Emergency Response Squad composed of 8 teams trained in satellite
design and environmental survey has been working diligently to
construct a new satellite to deploy into orbit. During the mission,
the teams in LEO and at Mission Control monitor and study any
major earth events that occur. Appropriate for grades 7-8.
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