1. Downrange: 50 m; Altitude: 120 m AGL;
Hover Time: 60 s
2. Downrange: 150 m; Altitude: 75 m AGL;
Hover Time: 45 s
3. Downrange: 320 m; Altitude: 45 m AGL;
Hover Time: 35 s
4. Downrange: 550 m; Altitude: 50 m AGL;
Hover Time: 30 s
5. Downrange: 400 m; Altitude: 45 m AGL;
Hover Time: 35 s
Artwork
Draw a picture of the MHS in its brief flight over the
Martian surface in search of interesting places to record
as the Earth shines brightly in the sky overhead.
R.A.F.T. writing
• Role: Teacher/Instructor/Master
• Audience: 8th Graders
• Format: Step–By–Step Instructions
• Topic: How to calculate the Distance to the FTP by
solving for the hypotenuse of a right triangle given the
lengths of the two other sides.
Discussion topics
Flight path of the MHS. (Graph is NOT drawn to scale). Credit: S.T.E.M. For the
Classroom
With initial conditions of 400 meters downrange, an
altitude of 100 meters AGL, and a 60 second hover time,
the MHS will fly a Round Trip distance of 825 meters with a
Climb Angle of 14 degrees from the horizon and an Aver-
age Speed of almost seven meters per second.
Guided practice
The MHS science team back on Earth wants to image
a rock formation ahead of the Mars rover. They wish to fly
several sorties. Find the Round Trip Distance, Climb Angle,
and Average Speed of the MHS given the different initial
flight parameters.
• What is your visual picture of the surface of Mars?
• Do you agree or disagree with the notion of funding
explorations to other planets?
• What kind of noise do you think the MHS makes while
flying in the Martian atmosphere?
• How is the MHS similar to drones used on Earth? How is
it different?
• Could a version of the MHS be used on other planets?
• If you could somehow hop aboard the MHS, describe
what you would see.
Conclusion
The Mars Helicopter Scout can fly from its perch on a
rover and travel ahead to find captivating places for it
to visit. The MHS will certainly make it easier for scientists
to “see” further than the rover which is limited in its vision
due to being so close to the ground.
Eventually, humans are going to have helicopters fly-
ing on Mars. Pretty amazing. One can only imagine what
they will they think of next.
Guided practice answer key
1. Round Trip Distance = 260 m Climb Angle = 67º Average Speed = 2.17 m/s
2. Round Trip Distance = 335 m Climb Angle = 27º Average Speed = 2.48 m/s
3. Round Trip Distance = 646 m Climb Angle = 8º Average Speed = 4.46 m/s
4. Round Trip Distance = 1,105 m Climb Angle = 5º Average Speed = 7.36 m/s
5. Round Trip Distance = 805 m Climb Angle = 6º Average Speed = 5.55 m/s
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