Audience
Students
Grade Levels
Grades K-4, Grades 5-8
Subject
Computer Science, Space Science, Solar System and Planets, Mars
Type
Play and Learn, Games
Landing on the Red Planet is only the very first step in the life of a Mars rover. Once on the ground, the rover can begin its scientific journey as part of what we call surface operations.
This includes driving to points of interest, collecting images, using tools to make measurements and collect scientific data, as well as sending status reports back to Earth. However, the harsh terrain on Mars with hazards like boulders, sand, and craters means that moving rovers from one place to another is no simple task.
To get rovers from one place to another safely, engineers carefully plan out the routes they want a rover to take. Each day, they send code to the rover telling it where to go, how to get there, and which tasks to perform once it arrives.
In this activity you’ll use code to design a game inspired by the way NASA rovers navigate on Mars.