AZ/TUC/University of Arizona/Phoenix Mars Mission
From All4Education
Launched in August 2007, the Phoenix Mars Mission is the first in NASA's Scout Program. Phoenix is designed to study the history of water and habitability potential in the Martian arctic's ice-rich soil.
The Phoenix Mars Mission has a collaborative approach to space exploration. As the very first of NASA's Mars Scout class, Phoenix combines legacy and innovation in a framework of a true partnership: government, academia, and industry. Scout class missions are led by a scientist, known as a Principal Investigator (PI). Peter Smith of the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory serves as Phoenix's PI and is responsible for all aspects of the mission.
Spacecraft visiting Mars have returned intriguing images of the surface of the Red Planet for over forty years. Many of these images suggest liquid water once flowed on the surface of Mars. The ViewSpace program "Mars: The Search for Water, the Search for Life" looks at some of these images and compares them to similar features found on the Earth and addresses possible consequences of finding liquid water on Mars.
Just for Kids has been designed with content by kids and for kids. The pages feature music, artwork and projects by kids involved or interested in the mission.
The Phoenix Classroom Download activities and materials to facilitate student understanding of fundamental concepts related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics:
Interactive map of our MARSFEST, PSIP, and Balloon Satelite teams.
MarsBots (Grades 3-4): Find lesson plans, activities, multimedia resources, and much more relating to robots and their role in exploring Mars.
Why Water? (Grades 3-8): Why has "following water" guided exploration over time? Learn more about water and its importance for life through lesson plans, activities, and multimedia resources.
Could Life Survive on Mars? (Grades 5-12): Digging deep into the Martian soil, Phoenix will look for signs of life and conditions that could support life. Find out more about this exciting venture through lesson plans and interactive activities.
