Plan a Mission to Mars
Use science, maths, and writing to plan humanity's next giant leap.
Subjects Connected
Science
Solar system, gravity, atmosphere, life support systems
Maths
Scale distances, travel time, ratios for supplies
English
Informative report writing, technical communication
Inspired by Finnish phenomenon-based learning: exploring space travel through multiple lenses.
The Big Question
"What would it actually take to send humans to Mars and keep them alive?"
In this project, you become a space mission planner. You will research Mars, calculate travel distances and supply needs, and write a professional mission briefing document.
Science: Mars and the Solar System
Mars Fact File
Challenges of Space Travel
No breathable air
Mars has almost no oxygen. Astronauts need sealed habitats and spacesuits with life support systems that produce or recycle oxygen.
Extreme cold
Average temperature is -60°C. Habitats need heating and excellent insulation to keep astronauts warm.
Radiation
Without a strong magnetic field or thick atmosphere, harmful radiation from the Sun reaches the surface. Astronauts need shielding.
Long travel time
The journey takes about 7 months each way. That is a long time to carry enough food, water, and oxygen, and to keep astronauts healthy.
Lower gravity
At 38% of Earth's gravity, muscles and bones weaken over time. Astronauts must exercise daily to stay strong.
Think About It (Compass Points: E-W-N-S)
About sending humans to Mars:
- Excited: What excites you about a Mars mission?
- Worrying: What worries you about it?
- Need to know: What do you still need to find out?
- Stance: What is your position — should we go? Why or why not?
Maths: Distances, Time, and Ratios
Solar System Scale
Distances in space are enormous. Scientists use Astronomical Units (AU) where 1 AU = the distance from Earth to the Sun (about 150 million km).
| Planet | Distance from Sun (AU) | Distance from Sun (million km) |
|---|---|---|
| Mercury | 0.39 | 58 |
| Venus | 0.72 | 108 |
| Earth | 1.00 | 150 |
| Mars | 1.52 | 228 |
| Jupiter | 5.20 | 778 |
Calculating Travel Distance
The distance from Earth to Mars varies because both planets orbit the Sun. At its closest, Mars is about 55 million km away. At its farthest, about 400 million km. A typical mission plans for about 225 million km.
Worked Example: Travel Time
A spacecraft travels at about 25,000 km/h.
Time = Distance ÷ Speed
= 225,000,000 km ÷ 25,000 km/h
= 9,000 hours
= 9,000 ÷ 24 = 375 days
= about 12.5 months (roughly 7 months with an efficient trajectory)
Supply Ratios
For a 7-month journey with a crew of 4 astronauts:
Each astronaut needs per day: 2.5 kg food, 2.5 litres water (recycled), 0.84 kg oxygen
Journey duration: 210 days (7 months)
Crew: 4 astronauts
Food needed:
2.5 kg x 4 astronauts x 210 days = 2,100 kg of food
That is 2.1 tonnes just for the outbound journey!
Think About It (What If?)
- What if you added 2 more crew members? How would the supply calculations change?
- What if the spacecraft could travel twice as fast? How would the journey time change?
- Why might you want to bring extra supplies beyond what you calculated?
English: Writing a Mission Briefing
A mission briefing is a formal document that explains the plan, objectives, and key information for a mission. It must be clear, precise, and well-organised so that everyone involved understands exactly what will happen.
Structure of a Mission Briefing
1. Mission Overview
Mission name, objective, timeline, and crew size. Keep it concise and factual.
2. Destination Profile
Key facts about Mars — conditions, distance, challenges. Use your science knowledge.
3. Mission Plan
Phase-by-phase breakdown: Launch, transit, landing, surface operations, return. Include timeline and maths calculations.
4. Risks and Solutions
Identify the main risks and explain how each one will be managed.
5. Conclusion
Summarise why this mission is important and worth the investment.
Technical Writing Tips
- Use headings and subheadings to organise information clearly.
- Write in third person: "The crew will..." not "We will..."
- Include specific numbers and data, not vague estimates.
- Use formal, precise language: "approximately 225 million km" not "really far away."
- Include tables and diagrams to present data efficiently.
Think About It (Ethical Dilemma)
A Mars mission might cost $100 billion. Consider:
- What are the ethical considerations of spending that much on space exploration?
- Could that money solve problems on Earth instead?
- But what might humanity gain from becoming a multi-planet species?
- Is there a way to do both — invest in space AND solve Earth's problems?
Key Vocabulary
Astronomical Unit (AU)
The average distance from Earth to the Sun (about 150 million km). Used to measure distances in the solar system.
Gravity
The force that pulls objects toward a planet's surface. Mars has about 38% of Earth's gravity.
Ratio
A comparison between two quantities showing how much of one there is compared to the other (e.g. 2.5 kg per person per day).
Scale
A way of representing large distances in a smaller format (e.g. 1 cm = 10 million km).
Mission Briefing
A formal document that outlines the plan, objectives, risks, and key data for a mission or project.
Life Support
Systems that provide air, water, food, and suitable temperature to keep astronauts alive in space.
Activities & Investigations
Solar System Scale Model (Science + Maths)
If Earth was a marble (1 cm diameter), how big would Mars be? How far apart would they be? Create a scale model using the AU distances. Choose a scale (e.g. 1 AU = 1 metre) and place the planets at the correct distances.
Supply Calculator (Maths)
Calculate the total food, water, and oxygen needed for a crew of 6 for a 9-month journey. Then add a 20% safety margin. Create a supply manifest (list) with totals for each item. What is the total mass the spacecraft needs to carry?
Design a Mars Habitat (Science + Maths)
Design a habitat for 4 astronauts on Mars. It must protect against radiation, maintain temperature, provide air and water. Draw a labelled diagram. Calculate the floor area needed if each astronaut needs at least 10 m² of living space.
Write Your Mission Briefing (English + All Subjects)
Write a complete mission briefing document. Include: mission overview, Mars profile, travel calculations, supply needs, risk assessment, and a conclusion. Use formal language, data tables, and clear structure.
Knowledge Check
Test your understanding across all three subjects.
Question 1 Maths
A spacecraft travels at 20,000 km/h. The journey to Mars is 200 million km. How many hours does the journey take?
Question 2 Science
Why can't astronauts breathe on Mars without a spacesuit?
Question 3 Maths
Each astronaut needs 2.5 kg of food per day. For a crew of 4 on a 200-day journey, how much food is needed in total?
Question 4 Science
Which of these is a challenge astronauts face due to Mars's weak magnetic field?
Question 5 English
Which sentence is most appropriate for a formal mission briefing?
Key Concepts Summary
- ● Science: Mars has extreme conditions — thin CO2 atmosphere, extreme cold, harmful radiation, and low gravity. Life support systems are essential for survival.
- ● Maths: Time = Distance ÷ Speed. Supply calculations use ratios (per person per day x crew x days). AU is a unit for measuring solar system distances.
- ● English: Technical writing uses formal language, precise data, clear structure, and third person. A mission briefing organises complex information logically.
- ● Connection: Real space missions require scientists, mathematicians, and communicators working together. The same skills you used in this project are used by NASA and ESA.