Chapter 7: One Small Step...

Introduction: 

“That’s one small step for man; one giant leap for mankind.” In June of 1969,

Neil Armstrong was the first man to touch the moon’s surface. Since then, space

travel has increased, with new missions being launched almost monthly. Can you even imagine what the space program will be like in 30 more years? How about in 100 years? Take a small step into the future. Pretend you are a travel agent- specializing in space travel!

In this chapter project, you will collect information about two planets, including

travel between them, and calculate the approximate distance from Earth to each

of them.Your final project will be to design a space-travel brochure that includes

interesting and enticing information about travel between the two planets.

Task 1: Collecting Data

Choose two of the planets listed below that you would like to highlight in your travel brochure. Research both of the planets and create a list of information about the planet that travelers might find interesting. Planets: Mercury,Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

Things to Consider: Research weather conditions and geological features of your planets.

Task 2: Calculating

The table shows the approximate amount of time it would take to travel from Earth via a jet or a rocket to different planets. Use these figures to find an approximate distance from Earth for the two planets that you plan to include in your brochure. For your calculations, assume there are 365 days in a year, 30 days in a month, and 24 hours in a day. Write the distance using scientific notation.

Things to Consider: Look up conversion factors to help you change years to hours.

Task 3: Designing

Based on the research you gathered about your planets from Task 1 and the

data from Task 2, plan how to present the information so that it is appealing to a prospective space traveler. Be Creative! Remember that the idea of your brochure is to get business for your travel agency.  You might consider offering a different way of space travel, perhaps one that goes even faster than the rocket.  Use the approximate distance to the planet from Task 2, and the speed of your

vessel, to advertise how fast travelers can get to their destinations. You might 

also consider listing a price for space travel on your brochure. Perhaps charging

a person a dollar rate per mile or per minute would be appropriate.

Things to Consider: Determine the layout of your brochure. Collect brochures at the grocery store or in the newspaper to see what type of design appeals to you.

Task 4: Finishing the Project

Create a space travel brochure or webpage for travel from Earth to two different

planets. Be sure that your calculations are accurate and that the

brochure displays interesting and accurate information.The brochure

should be neat, clear, and easy to read.

Things to Consider: Use a picture of your space travel vessel or use pictures from the NASA website to decorate your brochure.

Extra Credit (Extending the Project): 

Learn what NASA is studying this year in space. Use the Internet to

look up www.NASA.gov and write a summary of the studies that are

currently underway.