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• On November 26th, 2011, NASA launched the
Curiosity rover to replace the Spirit and
Opportunity
• Curiosity landed on August 5th, 2012 and has
been sending back pictures and data since
• The project cost the US $2.5 billion, and
Germany contributed an additional $3.1
billion.
• Rover traveled through atmosphere and
space, which takes careful understanding of
the mechanics of flight…
• How do planes fly?
• Forces of flight?
• Plane wings have a distinct, curved shape
• The shape lets them achieve lift. How?
• Diffusion! Air moves from high to low pressure
• How do birds achieve lift?
– By flapping their wings
• What other characteristics do birds have that
help them to fly?
– Feathers to catch air with
– Powerful muscles
– More efficient lungs
– Hollow bones.
Albatross
Hawk
• Elliptical wings on birds adapted to forested for good
maneuverability
• Soaring wings have a high aspect ratio (length compared to
width) which provides more lift
• Explore more about the Mars Space
Laboratory at NASA’s mission control page
• Follow the Mars Rover Mission Page link on
Mr. A’s website and find the ‘Fact Sheet’
– What is the Rover’s mission?
– How long will it be on Mars?
– What is one piece of equipment the rover has?
– Using the ‘Latest image gallery’ explain what
Abraham Lincoln has to do with the rover
• Explore the mechanics of flight!
1. Make a poster showcasing flight mechanics
2. Design your own plane based on an insect or bird
wing and explain its advantages
3. Make a documentary podcast & picture slideshow
about the flight of a unique bird / bug / plane
• Discover: the fastest plane or bird; the heaviest;
which one flaps its wings the fastest; how their
wings support their lifestyle.
•
Make a poster showcasing flight mechanics
– Show how each different example achieves flight
(one part of tri-fold for insects, one for birds, one for
planes)
– Describe how they balance the 4 factors of flight (lift,
thrust, weight, drag); make a graph/chart/table
comparing these values
– Include different pictures of each example
– Make a few, stylish paper airplanes that are designed
to show how the different flight factors can change
(make a plane that is able to use lift to float longer,
one that uses thrust to go far, etc.)
•
Design your own plane based on an insect or
bird and explain its advantages
– Build a model of your plane or create several
illustrations and blueprints (or both!)
– If you build a physical model: Make an owner’s
manual that describes the unique features of your
plane and how it works
•
•
What is special about its wings?
Does it use propellers, jet engines, something else?
– If you make illustrations or blueprints: Create an
advertisement such as a poster or commercial for
your plane to explains how it works and why
someone should invest in your design.
•
Make a documentary podcast & picture
slideshow about the flight of a unique bird / bug
/ plane
– What can it do that makes it special?
– How is able to accomplish this?
– How does it balance the 4 factors for flight? (I.e. How
much lift does it create? How does it reduce drag?)
– Find as many other interesting details as you can
•
•
If a plane: How much does it cost? What is it made of?
If an organism: How long does it live?
– Your documentary should be at least 3 minutes
worth of quality information.