Recently the MAVEN spacecraft (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission) that was launched on November 18, 2013 reached Mars and attained an elongated orbit around the planet. How does someone figure out how to do that?
In this activity students examine the velocity required to stay in orbit and the velocity required to reach a different planet's orbit.
If you would like to begin this activity with more research on orbit try our previous post Why does it stay in orbit?
The activity: MAVEN.pdf
For members we have an editable Word docx and solutions.
CCSS: 5.NBT.B.7, 6.RP.A, 7.EE,B.3, 7.G.B.4, 7.NS, 7.RP.A, 8.EE, HSG.GMD.A.1, HSS.ID.C
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