Transportation in space by _________________________


Watch this video on the Mars Rover: http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/mars-rovers-sci
(you can find these links on the website and on the Handout Drive)
Answer these questions:

  1. How do they get the Rover onto the surface of the planet Mars?
  2. How is origami used as part of the Rover design?
  3. How many wheels does the Rover have?
  4. How is the surface of Mars similar to Earth and how is it different?
  5. What kind of tools does the Rover carry for exploring the planet?

Next, watch this Rover video: http://www.space.com/35439-13-years-on-mars-nasa-opportunity-rover-still-rolling-video.html
The Rover has been exploring for 13 years.

  1. In what way has it done better than it was designed to do?
  2. In what other ways is the Rover like a teenager?

Look at this robot that was inspired by origami folding. What are 2 ways it can handle obstacles in its path? https://www.nasa.gov/feature/jpl/origami-inspired-robot-can-hitch-a-ride-with-a-rover

 

Look at robots that go undersea. What is special about each one?
http://www.learnaboutrobots.com/undersea.htm

underwater

 

Look at a robot that goes into undersea volcanoes. http://voices.nationalgeographic.com/2017/04/19/robot-vs-volcano-sometimes-its-just-fun-to-blow-stuff-up/
underwater volcanoHow did they design the robots and what are they made of?

 

 

Sketch a possible design for an explorer robot to go places where people cannot go. Design a drawing of a robot that can go somewhere challenging. Research if you want to about robots to explore space, volcanos, undersea or other inhospitable places. Describe how this robot works.