Natural Science and Technology Grade 6
4. Systems to explore the Moon and Mars
4.1. Rovers on the Moon and Mars
4.2. Moon Rovers
4.3. Mars Rovers
4.4. Revision of systems to explore the Moon and Mars
Human beings are fascinated by what lies beyond our world. The idea of exploring
space has inspired inventors, engineers and scientists to design and built better and
better spacecraft. These spacecraft allow us to investigate the Moon and nearby planets
of our solar system more closely.
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
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1.1. Rovers on the Moon and Mars
A rover is a vehicle with special wheels and axles designed to travel on the Moon ot
other planets. A rover’s main purpose is to help human beings to explore other
object in space more closely.
People explore the Moon-
o On 20 July 1969, Neil Armstrong was the first human to walk on the Moon,
He walked around in a spacesuit and collected soil and rocks for scientists
back on Earth to study. During the Apollo mission in 1971 and 1972,
astronauts used Lunas Roving Vehicles (Moon rovers) to travel further
across the Moon’s surface.
o In 1970’s Russia landed two remote- controlled robotic rovers on the
Moon. In the last 15 years, the USA has landed four small robotic rovers
on Mars. These rovers have taken many close-up photographs and have
collected samples of soil, rocks and gases to test.
o In 2012, the Mars Science Laboratory Rover called Curiosity landed on
Mars, it is searching for any evidence of past or present life on the ‘Red
Planet’.
Robotic rovers explore the Moon and Mars
Robotic rovers are vehicles that are controlled by robots. Robots are machines that
can over on their own and do tasks like a person. Robotic rovers help us to explore
the planets in our solar system. These rovers can go to places and do things that are
dangerous or difficult for people to do. They have communication systems for
sending and receiving information. People instruct and program the robots to do
what they need them to do and robots send information back to Earth. Rovers have
built-in cameras and mechanical arms for gathering information. Rovers have solar
panels that use the sun’s energy to make the rover work.
NATURAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADE 6 TERM 4
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