The spacecraft will bounce up to 10 stories high before coming to rest on the planet's rocky surface. There's enough going on to work it all in. The Mars Global Surveyor, which will reach the planet in September, will explore the atmosphere, orbiting the planet until January 1998, when it will land. Once on Mars, Surveyor will explore the terrain to produce maps of surface topography, mineral distribution and climate. Studying Mars is a stellar classroom activity, according to the Mars Global Surveyor Radio Science Team, one sure to capture the imagination and interest of nearly every student.
Planetary exploration is exciting.
It clearly demonstrates to young students that science and mathematics are not inherently dry and uninteresting. Furthermore, it demonstrates that there are jobs for people who study those subjects which are both rewarding and fun. Members of the MGS Radio Science Team have participated in almost every U.S. planetary mission since the dawn of the space age. Most of them would not do anything else. If you're ready to make the Red Planet part of your curriculum, see below for a galaxy of great ideas.