Michael Foley
Martian Matters
Group 6
Martian Matters
Space Company
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Step 1: Identify the Problem or Need
The challenge that group 6 must face is that they have to design a working Mars
transportation system which can carry a payload of four marbles throughout the rough terrain of
the planet Mars. This vehicle must have at least one bio mimicry feature, include the robotic
parts from the robotics part box the group is given. The group must also fit the stand alone, off
the grid, mobile transporter into a ten inch by six inch by four inch box. The rover must also
climb over steep hills and rocks, sharp hills and cliffs, ice on the polar caps, and travel through
loose sand which replicates most of the surface of Mars.
Step 2: Research the Problem
There are currently only five rovers that have been sent into space and successfully used.
These rovers are known as the Lunokhod 1 , Lunokhod 2, Sojouner, Spirit, Opportunity, and
Curiosity. Out of the six, the Sojouner, Spirit, Opportunity, and Curiosity were all rovers used on
Mars. There were lunar rovers during Apollo missions 15, 16, and 17. These rovers were used
for an easier way for transportation on the lunar surface whereas the Sojouner, Spirit,
Opportunity, and Curiosity were all designed for conducting research on Mars. Mars and the
Earth’s moon are quite similar, but at the same time, they are vastly different. For instance, the
surface of Mars is known to be a reddish dusty soil formed by volcanic rocks Mars also has a
surplus of craters, canyons, riverbeds, and volcanoes. The largest canyon and the largest volcano
in the solar system are both found on Mars. The evidence of river beds, soil samples, and rock
examination shows that water could have been extremely common on Mars as early as four
million years ago. But even with these promising features, Mars has no known water on it, but
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what it does have, is very promising. The discovery of ice caps that are at the north and south
poles of the planet means that there is a great possibility of finding drinkable water on Mars,
since the polar caps also expand and retract depending on the seasons (terrain). Also, the rover,
Curiosity, landed in the Gale Crater, a 96 mile wide crater that has left evidence of clay minerals.
These clay minerals support the idea that life, even microscopic, could have had the possibility
of being sustained (Chang). Our planet, Earth, has frighteningly similar features and
specifications when compared to Mars. For example, the axis tilt, land surface area, seasons, day
length, and climate. Both planets have a similar axis tilt with Mars at 25.2°F and the Earth at
23.5°F. This similarity in tilt allows for these two planets to both have similar climates and
seasonal changes (compare) (Starobin). As for climate, Mars has an always changing climate,
even in the same place. One afternoon it could be 70°F, and that same night it could be -100°F.
The average temperature on Mars is about -80°F. This is all due to the fact that Mars lacks a
thermal blanket type of atmosphere, like the Earth does, which holds in a significant amount of
thermal energy to help the planet stay warm. Mars’s atmosphere is also about 100 times thinner
than the Earth’s, so that also contributes to the alterations in temperature. Mars also has some
very odd weather. Dust storms are extremely common in Mars because of the very light, dusty
soil on the surface of the planet. But, possibly the oddest thing on this planet would be the clouds
and what they produce. There are not many clouds on Mars as there are on Earth, but they still
produce precipitation. However, due to the thin atmosphere and lack of magnetosphere, liquid
water is not able to form or fall. But, due to the coldness of the planet, snow is able to fall but
currently there is no evidence on whether or not it is able to reach the ground since it has only
been recorded a few times (Coffey) (Sharp)
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NASA has already been very successful with their current Mars expeditions. With two
Mars rovers currently roaming the planet and collecting samples, the next question is simple. Is it
inhabitable for an extended period of time by humans? Scientists have already proven the
possibility of water being sustainable on Mars, and that it is possible to travel to and from the
planet successfully. They have also proved that life could have been sustainable quite easily,
even if it was three or four billion years ago, it was still possible. Even with the proof that life
was possible, scientists and researchers still have not been able to find the carbon molecules
which are the essential building blocks for any form of life that is known to man (Landau).
The only rovers that have been used out into space have been the lunar rovers. These
rovers helped carry astronauts from place to place on the moon. They were used during many of
the Apollo missions and other missions done by separate countries such as the Soviet Union, and
China. The most popular and well known rovers were from the Apollo missions. These rovers
were extremely helpful so the astronauts would not waste their oxygen, time, and energy on
walking to the places they needed to go. Many of the missions would have taken much longer
had these rovers not been created. These rovers were made of mainly aluminum and the parts
were carefully welded together. Apollo rovers had a mass of about 210 kg each and were able to
carry a payload of about 490kg on the lunar surface. Each rover was also able to fold up so it
would be easier to transport to and from the Earth and the Moon. Lunar rovers also had a ground
clearance of 36cm when on the surface of the moon. This small clearance allowed the rover and
the astronauts to stay with the gravity of the moon more easily. The tires were extremely
important to the lunar rovers. They were consisted of an aluminum hub and an 81.8cm diameter,
23cm wide tire with zinc coated woven steel stands attached to the disks and rim of the
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aluminum. Also, titanium chevrons coated 50% of the tire to provide traction on the Moon.
There were also dust guards mounted above each wheel to protect the astronauts from debris.
Finally, each rover was powered by two 36 volt silver-zinc potassium hydroxide nonrechargeable batteries with a capacity of 121 amps per hour. These two powerful batteries
allowed for maximum power when the rovers were used on the lunar surface (Williams). The
most common failures with these rovers were based off of the two batteries that powered each
rover overheating. But this would have been an extremely simple fix by just waiting for the
batteries to either cool down before using them again, or keeping a careful eye on the
temperature gauges of the batteries (Lunar).
(Bestand)
There are many possibilities for prototype designs that group 6 could create. But the
simplest designs are often the most effective. That is why a four-wheeled, battery powered
vehicle is being proposed. This vehicle would be very similar to the lunar rovers used on the
Apollo missions since they were the most successful. A frame that resembles a car would work
the best since it is very simple and safe in case of a crash. It could be created out of metal, wood,
3d printer parts, plastic, etc. Essentially this design could be made with almost any kind of
material. Since four marbles need to be carried through a rough terrain, a cargo hold and
suspension would be essential to the holding and transportation of this precious cargo. Small
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sized springs that are attached from the wheels to the vehicle would act as superb suspension in
this situation. As for a cargo hold, a simple box would work but just leave out the top part so the
marbles can be inserted and extracted with ease. A cloth cover with a connection such as a paper
clip to the rest of the cargo box would act as a way for the marbles to not fall out. The robotics
part box must be used in order for this vehicle to move, so it will be included. Other materials
that the group sees fit in the creation of this project will be added using a grant to the
Corporation with their permission. If the grant is denied, then that material is not allowed to be
used.
In conclusion, yes there is a significant possibility that there will be sustainable life on
Mars, if given enough time. During this time, scientists would have to create a way of
transportation, food/water supply, housing, healthcare such as hospitals, etc. This design that
Michael Foley offers is practical because it represents a commonly used design that is simple,
safe, and cost-effective for the purpose of this project.
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References
Bestand:Lunar Rover.jpg - Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2014, from
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bestand:Lunar_Rover.jpg
Chang, K. (2013, December 9). Ancient Martian Lake May Have Supported Life. The New York
Times [New York]. Retrieved from
http://http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/10/science/space/on-mars-an-ancient-lake-andperhaps-life.html?ref=marsplanet&_r=0
Coffey, J. (2008, June 9). Mars Weather. Retrieved March 12, 2014, from
http://www.universetoday.com/14941/mars-weather/
compare. (n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2014, from
http://library.thinkquest.org/5579/comparison/marsearth.htm
Landau, E. (2012, August 14). What we've done on Mars, and what's next - CNN.com. Retrieved
from http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/11/tech/innovation/mars-explorationhistory/index.html?iref=allsearch
Lunar Roving Vehicle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. (n.d.). Retrieved March 13, 2014,
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Roving_Vehicle
Sharp, T. (2012, August 3). What is the Temperature of Mars? | Space.com.
Retrieved March 12, 2014, from http://www.space.com/16907-what-is-the-temperature-ofmars.html
Starobin, M., & McClare, M. (n.d.). NASA - Sibling Rivalry: A Mars/Earth Comparison.
Retrieved March 12, 2014, from
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/environment/Sibling_Rivalry.html
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terrain. (n.d.). Retrieved March 12, 2014, from
http://library.thinkquest.org/5579/terrain/ryan.htm
Williams, D. R. (n.d.). The Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle. Retrieved March 12, 2014, from
http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo_lrv.html
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