Background

A space mission is a journey into space – by a manned or unmanned vehicle – for a specific purpose. The first scientific exploration of space was the cosmic radiation experiment launched by the U.S. on a V-2 rocket, May 10th 1946. This was followed by the first animal experiment, in which fruit flies were lifted into space in 1947. We have come so far since then…
Fast forward to present day and we are anticipating the proposed launch of SpaceX BFR cargo mission to Mars in 2022. CEO Elon Musk states, “The ships from these initial missions will also serve as the beginnings of our first Mars base, from which we can build a thriving city and eventually a self-sustaining civilization on Mars.”

Fruit flies in space…to…man living on Mars…in…just over 75 years. Wow.

Click on each picture to learn more about the history of early space exploration and the SpaceX mission to Mars.

Your Assignment
Choose a past, present, or future space mission, any mission (planetary, lunar, solar, asteroid or comet, extrasolar planetary, etc.) and visit it’s website to learn about in detail. Then, write a summary of the mission’s basic design, goals, current status, and most important discoveries to date. Don’t forget to cite your sources!

Submit your summary here and post it in the Mission To ??? discussions forum. Then, respond to two of your classmates mission postings.

Journal Rubric (1)