Astronomy: Mars Missions: Rovers, Landers, and Samples Worksheet

Question 1

A rover, a lander, and an orbiter all study Mars in different ways. Describe one main job of each type of spacecraft.

Accepted Answer

An orbiter travels around Mars and studies the planet from above. A lander stays in one place on the surface and studies the area around it. A rover drives across the surface to examine rocks, soil, and landforms in different locations.

Question 2

Why are wheels, cameras, and a robotic arm useful tools for a Mars rover?

Accepted Answer

Wheels allow a rover to move to new places, cameras help scientists see the landscape and choose targets, and a robotic arm can place instruments close to rocks or collect samples.

Question 3

Mars is much farther away than the Moon. Explain why engineers cannot drive a Mars rover with a joystick in real time from Earth.

Accepted Answer

Engineers cannot drive a Mars rover in real time because radio signals take several minutes to travel between Earth and Mars. By the time a command arrives, the rover and its surroundings may have changed, so commands must be planned carefully.

Question 4

A rover travels 120 meters over 6 days. What is its average distance traveled per day?

Accepted Answer

The rover traveled an average of 20 meters per day because 120 meters divided by 6 days equals 20 meters per day.

Question 5

A lander measures temperature, wind, and air pressure on Mars. What branch of science is it helping scientists study, and why is that useful?

Accepted Answer

The lander is helping scientists study Martian weather and climate. This is useful because it helps scientists understand the current environment on Mars and plan safe future missions.

Question 6

Some Mars rovers look for signs that liquid water existed in the past. Name two pieces of evidence a rover might look for in rocks or landforms.

Accepted Answer

A rover might look for rounded pebbles that were shaped by flowing water and layered sedimentary rocks that formed in lakes or rivers. It might also look for minerals that usually form in the presence of water.

Question 7

A rover collects a rock core and seals it inside a sample tube. Explain why sealing the sample is important.

Accepted Answer

Sealing the sample is important because it protects the rock from contamination and keeps it as close as possible to its original Martian condition. This helps scientists study the sample accurately later.

Question 8

A future Mars sample return mission would bring selected samples back to Earth. Give two reasons why scientists want to study Mars samples in Earth laboratories.

Accepted Answer

Scientists want to study Mars samples on Earth because Earth laboratories have larger and more powerful instruments than a rover can carry. Scientists can also repeat tests, use many methods, and allow researchers from different places to study the same samples.

Question 9

Mission planners must choose a landing site for a rover. List three features that would make a landing site scientifically interesting and reasonably safe.

Accepted Answer

A good landing site might have evidence of past water, exposed layers of rock, and different rock types to study. It should also be relatively flat and not have too many large boulders or steep slopes that could damage the spacecraft.

Question 10

A rover sends back 18 images each hour during a 5-hour science session. How many images does it send during the session?

Accepted Answer

The rover sends 90 images during the session because 18 images per hour multiplied by 5 hours equals 90 images.

Question 11

Explain how a rover can help scientists decide whether Mars may once have had conditions suitable for life.

Accepted Answer

A rover can study rocks, soil, and minerals to look for evidence of past water, energy sources, and chemicals needed by living things. These clues help scientists decide whether Mars once had a habitable environment, even if the rover does not find life itself.

Question 12

Put these mission steps in a logical order and explain your order: launch from Earth, land on Mars, collect data or samples, travel through space, send results back to Earth.

Accepted Answer

The logical order is launch from Earth, travel through space, land on Mars, collect data or samples, and send results back to Earth. The spacecraft must first leave Earth, then cross space to Mars, reach the surface safely, do its science work, and communicate the results.

Astronomy: Mars Missions: Rovers, Landers, and Samples

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