Planet Satellite Project
Name: ____________________________
Your Mission:
You are a NASA engineer designing a satellite to visit a planet in our solar system
in a future mission. You are in charge of creating an informational presentation about
the satellite for funding. Remember to base your mission on reality; it must be possible
using current technology (i.e. no use of wormholes…).
Your Goal:
 You may work individually or in groups of up to 3.
 You may make a PowerPoint, Poster, or Website Template (a word document) as
your primary presentation.
 You may create a model of the satellite or an informative song as a secondary
presentation, if you work in a group.
 If you work alone you will only need to hand in one primary item.
 If you work in a group you must hand in 2 items; for example: A PowerPoint and
poster or a poster and song or a PowerPoint and model…
Requirements:
Picture(s) of the planet and satellite (1 picture of each for individual projects, at
least 2 of each for group projects) (you must cite your sources)
A description of the planet that includes the following:
 The name of the planet, its distance from the sun, its size (volume or mass,
please specify), whether it is a gas giant or terrestrial, whether it is an
inner or outer planet, number of moons, atmospheric components,
average temperature/weather, its rotation and revolution periods
 Additional Facts: Gravitational force & magnetic field compared to Earth
A description of the satellite that includes the following:
 A name for your satellite with an explanation of the name.
 A mission goal or objective for the satellite
 A mission logo or slogan
 Launch date and site
 Rocket type
 When the satellite will encounter the planet
 Mission length (how long the satellite will study the planet once it gets
there, so how long the satellite will be operational)
 Power Source
 Scientific instruments and their purpose (at least 2 for individual project, 3
for groups of 2 and 5 for groups of 3)
 Whether the satellite will fly by the planet, orbit the planet or land on the
planet or specific moon
The finished planet satellite projects are due on Tuesday, December 1st. Anything
electronic must be shared on Monday, November 30th.
Planet Satellite Project Rubric
Name: ____________________________________________________________
All required information
must be detailed enough and accurate to
receive points
Planet Facts
24 points (2 pts ea)
Satellite Facts
38 points (2 pts ea
unless noted)
______The name of the planet
______Its distance from the sun
______Its size
______Whether it is a gas giant or terrestrial
______Whether it is an inner or outer planet
______The number of moons
______The atmospheric components
______Average temperature/weather
______Rotation period
______Revolution period
______Gravitational Force
______Magnetic field
______A name
______Explanation of the name (4 pts)
______A mission goal (5 pts)
______A mission logo or slogan
______Launch date
______Launch site
______Rocket type
______When the satellite get to the planet
______Mission length
______Power Source (4 pts)
______Scientific instruments (4 pts)
______Purpose of instruments (5 pts)
______Flyby, orbit or land
Pictures w/ Source
Appropriate documents
/10
Presentation
On time
/10
Creativity
/15
Total:
Points
Earned
/8
Teamwork/Effort
/15
/15
/135