School Trips

 


Return to the Moon Scenario

Return to the Moon On July 20, 1969 astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped onto a surface no human had touched before. Decades later, it is time to return to the Moon. This time to establish a permanent lunar base. One final decision needs to be made: where on this hostile landscape would we land and build the most complex habitat ever conceived?

The Mission Storyline:

The year is 2020. The Moon is a logical step in the expansion of humanity beyond the Earth. Prepare to follow in the steps of the Apollo astronauts as you return to the desolate lunar surface. The goals of the mission is to:

  • Pursue science
  • Build a self-sustaining settlement and observatory
  • Study our Solar System
  • Prepare for future Mars exploration
Learn more about the CLC School Programs or go ahead, and book your adventure today!

 

The Return to the Moon mission begins with the thrill of liftoff and ascent to Earth’s orbit. Your team of Astronauts and Mission Controllers will work together to break free of the Earth’s gravity and plot a trajectory to the Moon. During the course of the mission teams will build and launch a probe, calculate the lunar orbit burn, and select the best landing site. Can they cope with the hazards of space travel? Achieving a successful mission will depend on teamwork and good communication skills. It is a dangerous journey where anything can happen.

The Mission Teams:

Glossary

Team Descriptions:

Navigation (NAV) Team: (Pilots)
Pilots are responsible for flight operations on a spaceship. Getting to the Moon isn't easy.
The NAV team will:
  • Keep the spacecraft on course by locating Earth-based tracking stations
  • Triangulate the spacecraft’s position
  • Determine the thrust and firing parameters required for Lunar orbit
  • Locate the landing site and land a safely on the Moon

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Remote (REM) Team: (Geologists)
Lunar Geologists study the features of the Moon and the materials that make up the surface.
The REM team will:
  • Work in a glovebox to examine the properties of Moon rocks and regolith (soil).
  • Test rock samples for magnetism and texture
  • Classify and identifying the characteristics of the Lunar Highland and Lowland
  • Decide the best location to build the first Moon base

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PROBE Team: (Electronic Engineers)
Engineers enjoy the challenge of designing, building and launching space probes to other parts of the solar system.
The Probe team will:
  • Assemble, test and deploy a probe to the Moon’s surface
  • Retrieve a probe stranded in lunar orbit and analyze the mineral data it collected
  • Choose the best landing site

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SPACE WEATHER (SW) Team: (Solar Scientists)
Solar Scientists studies sunspots and solar explosions. These kinds of solar activities can threaten satellites, interfere with electrical systems and threaten human explorers to the Moon and beyond.
The SW team will:
  • Deploy an antenna to study solar activity
  • Analyze data from satellites
  • Measure the size of sunspots
  • Track solar storms

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LIFE SUPPORT (LS) Teams: (Environmental Scientists)
Your may not notice when you are breathing but you will certainly notice when you are not. Oxygen and clean water are vital to human survival to outer space.
The LS team will:
  • Check gauges
  • Change oxygen filters
  • Perform pH and TDS (Totally Dissolved Solids) tests of the onboard water system
  • Monitor plants in a hydroponics garden

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ISOLATION (ISO) Teams: (Robotic Engineers)
Robots are vital to space missions because they perform dangerous tasks and reduce the risks to humans.
The ISO team will:
  • Use robotic arms to handle hazardous materials. These materials are stored in an airtight Isolation Chamber
  • Weigh hazardous chemicals
  • Measure radioactive filters
  • Handle Nuclear Rods

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MEDICAL (MED) Teams: (Surgeon)
The health of the Astronauts must be carefully monitored as they experience many physical changes in space.
The MED team will:
  • Test the astronauts’ vision and hearing
  • Check breathing rate and skin temperature
  • Check heart pulse rate and blood pressure
  • Monitor radiation levels

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DATA (DATA) Teams: (Electronic Mail Manager)
Sending and receiving scientific data accurately is one of the main goals of a space mission.
The DATA Team will:
  • Send and receive electronic messages and images between the Spacecraft and Mission Control
  • Prioritizes and transmits content of messages accurately to the appropriate teams
  • Manage the flow of information

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COMMUNICATION (COM) Team: (Public Speaker)
Vital to good teamwork are strong communication and leadership skills. Equally important is the ability to absorb large quantities of information quickly and be able to sum it up concisely.
The COM team will:
  • Send and receive verbal messages between the Spacecraft and Mission Control.
  • Uses microphones to transmit voice messages and ensures that all messages are sent and received accurately
  • Manage the flow of communication

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MEDIA Team: (News Reporter)
Unbiased journalist gather and document events and incidents to share with the public.
The Media team will:
  • Chronicle the stages of the mission
  • Interview the Astronauts and Mission Controllers
  • Take pictures and videos for a post-flight Press Conference (bring your own recording equipment)
  • Gathers material for an article to be published in your school’s Newsletter

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