Robotic Space Exploration

We are inspired by human space exploration, but these space robots can go places humans could never go – and for longer periods of time. Much of the exploration we’ve accomplished in the solar system is because of our ability to make robots and send them to explore. They travel as speeds humans could not endure, they don’t need water, heat or food and they don’t need to be entertained - they just work. Explore the many different kinds of robot emissaries we’ve sent into the solar system and what unexpected discoveries they’ve made for us.

This Course Includes a Great Bonus Lesson: What on Earth is Astronomy?

Robotic Space Exploration

1. Objective

2. Warm-up activities

3. Glossary of terms

4. Definition and characteristics of robotic exploring

5. Robots in society and popular culture

6. Advantages and disadvantages of space exploration using robotic craft

7. Comparing and contrasting human and robotic spacecraft and exploration

8. The dangers and challenges of manned space flight

9. Why we explore

10. Current robotic missions throughout the Solar System

Types of robotic missions and their applications in the Solar System

11. Multistage rockets

12. The space shuttle

Flyby

13. Fuel savings

14. Chinese Moon observations

15. Studying comets

Orbiters

16. Long-term observations of Mars, including the Reconnaissance Orbiter

17. Deceleration using air breaking and the first law of motion

18. Long-term power from the Sun and power storage

19. Communicating over large distances

20. Cassini orbiter around Saturn

Landers

21. Landing techniques and challenges using rockets, airbags and parachutes

22. Early Venus landings by the Soviet’s Venera

23. Venus Express

24. Early Moon landers: Luna and Ranger

25. Landing on a comet: the Philae lander

Rovers

26. Entry, decent and landing

27. Landers delivering rovers

28. Sojourner and Opportunity rovers on Mars

29. Distance limits, self-maintenance, energy and communication techniques

30. Escaping from the landers after delivery

Penetrators

31. Penetrator form and function

32. Moon penetrator LCROSS looking for water

33. Martian penetrators

Observatories

34. Earth and Sun orbiting craft, including the Hubble Space Telescope and Spitzer

35. Advantages and disadvantages of observatories orbiting the Sun and Earth

Communication Craft

36. Primary functions

37. Deep-space communication systems and Solar System exploration

Atmospheric Craft

38. Function of atmospheric crafts

39. Atmospheric studies done on Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn’s moon Titan

40. Detailed explanation of Huygens probe on Titan

41. Multiple-category crafts

42. Terrestrial planets

Mercury

43. Brief description of Mercury

44. History of crafts to Mercury, including Mariner series

45. Current crafts studying the planet

46. Future missions to Mercury, including BepiColombo

Venus

47. Brief description of Venus

48. History of crafts to Venus, including Venera and Mariner series

49. Future missions to Venus

Mars

50. Brief description of Mars

51. History of crafts to Mars

52. Communication delays with robots on Mars

53. Current crafts studying the planet and their durations

54. Future missions to Mars

55. Space travel using the “Gravity Assist” method – description of the physics and practical application

56. Crafts leaving the Solar System: Voyager and Pioneer series

57. Test questions

58. Cross-curricular activities