Mission to Mars, week 1 of 5

Photo: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Lesson 1.3

Why rockets drop their stages

An empty fuel tank is dead weight. Dropping it on the way up is how a rocket gets fast enough to reach space.

Course content

Week 1: Lift off2 of 5 done, 56 min

What a rocket has to beatVideo, 7 min, done
Push back to go upAnimation, 8 min, done
Why rockets drop their stagesVideo, 6 min
Balloon rocket on a stringBuild, 25 min, opens later
Week 1 quizQuiz, 10 min, opens later

Week 2: Stay in orbit0 of 5 done, 54 min

Falling without landingInteractive, 7 min, opens later
Why rockets curve sidewaysVideo, 8 min, opens later
The road to Mars is an ovalVideo, 9 min, opens later
Orbits on a stretched sheetBuild, 20 min, opens later
Week 2 quizQuiz, 10 min, opens later

Week 3: Land a robot0 of 5 done, 1 hr 3 min

Seven minutes with no helpVideo, 8 min, opens later
What a rover carriesReading, 7 min, opens later
Wheels, power and dustVideo, 8 min, opens later
Egg-drop landerBuild, 30 min, opens later
Week 3 quizQuiz, 10 min, opens later

Week 4: Let it think0 of 5 done, 59 min

Why nobody drives a rover with a joystickVideo, 7 min, opens later
How a rover sees rocksVideo, 8 min, opens later
Teaching a machine with examplesVideo, 9 min, opens later
Train a rock sorterBuild, 25 min, opens later
Week 4 quizQuiz, 10 min, opens later

Week 5: Your mission0 of 3 done, 2 hr 14 min

How mission teams planVideo, 8 min, opens later
Present like an engineerVideo, 6 min, opens later
Design your Mars missionFinal project, 2 hr, opens later