Mars Curiosity

This scene takes the form of a Mars landing of NASA’s Mars Curiosity rover. Mars, the fourth planet from the sun, has been a point of interest for exploration by NASA to collect information about the planet. The Mars Curiosity rover was launched and sent to Mars to collect samples, analyse it and relay the information back to NASA’s headquarters. The rover is designed to be fully autonomous while it negotiates the Mars terrain.

# Learning objectives

1: Describe how Curiosity got to Mars{.info}

2: Describe the work Curiosity is doing{.info}

3: Explain how Curiosity keeps going{.info}

# 1: How did Curiosity get to Mars?{.objective .objective1}

In this section the journey to Mars is outlined. Mars Curiosity is launched from Cape Canaveral in November 26th 2011 as part of NASA’s Science Laboratory Mission, aboard an Atlas V rocket. The effort in getting the rover of planet Earth on its 10 month journey to Mars is described. Students will walk on the surface of Mars and observe the terrain. Here they will describe how the Mars Curiosity rover landed and the importance of an accurate landing sequence.

# 2: What is Curiosity Doing?{.objective .objective2}

In this section the various instruments the mars Curiosity is equipped with will be described, from a camera, to a sample analyser. The instruments are designed to collect information considered relevant to better understand the conditions on Mars and to answer a vital question: did mars ever have the right environmental conditions to support small life forms called microbes? Students will observe and identify the various instruments on the rover.

# 3: How does Curiosity Keep Going?{.objective .objective3}

In this section how the Mars Curiosity rover keeps going will be described. The use of a nuclear power source responsible for driving the rover will be described, and why the radioisotope system is important in generating electricity where a more conventional power source isn’t available. The radioactive decay of plutonium generates heat, which is converted into electricity. Students will enter the scene and observe the rover. They should identify how the Curiosity generates electricity.

# Teacher Resources

### Download Teacher Notes

[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/735201/files/Mars%20Curiosity+Teacher+Notes.pdf?date=1626101430&size=744672&md5=1f412c94742af51c6e11e1a7ae336e0d)

### Student Quiz Answers Document

[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/735203/files/Mars%20Curiosity+Teacher+Notes_02.pdf?date=1625844248&size=356811&md5=5d3c511d5c2f9ec3fa81e35d60bd27df)

### Download Student Quiz Document

[](https://data.avncloud.com/activities/735202/files/Mars%20Curiosity+Teacher+Notes_03.pdf?date=1625844192&size=166019&md5=93b62c92d131566d3ab8f8f9fc9382cd)