Now that you have designed and built your Space Pod for travelling to Mars, it’s time to prepare it for landing. The spacecraft will eject your pod close to Mars and it will land on its own.

Best of luck!

Land on Mars

MISSION 2

The two Mars exploration rovers, named Spirit and Opportunity, landed in

January 2004 by using air-bags and retro rockets!

Did you know?

ACTIVITY 1 Did you know?

Only 14 of the 50 Mars missions have

been successful.To withstand the landing, you’ll need to upgrade your Space Pod with protective elements.

Safe zone

Crumple zone

Tip: Take photosthroughout

the process ofupgrading yourSpace Pod.

Think about how your Space Pod could land safely:

To upgrade your model, you could use:

Household items:

• Cereal boxes• Sponges• Bubble Wrap• Plastic bottles

• Plastic bags• Straws• Tin foil

Crafting supplies:

• Cardboardand paper

• Glue andsticky tape

• Balloons• Foam• Fabric• Paint

Air-bags inflate and provide cushioning and protection.

Parachutes slow down objects that fall towards the ground.

Crumple zones absorb the impact of a crash and are supposed to crumple.

ACTIVITY 2 Did you know?

How did you do? Would you do anything different next time?

Just like Earth, Mars has clouds,

seasons and ‘ice’ caps!Now that your Space Pod is protected, it’s time to attempt a

safe landing. Don't forget to record the landing and take photos!

8cm4cm

8cm8cm

Step 1: Strap inFind, or make, a little 4cm tall character that is going to be in the model when you test it, and make sure that they are safely strapped in.

Step 2: Test land

Carry out a test landing by dropping your Space Pod onto a hard surface.Ask an adult where the best place to test it is and make sure that the landing area is clear and safe before the pod is released.

Step 3: Official landDrop your Space Pod from the highest point that you can reach above your head, or if you’re feeling brave, ask an adult to drop it from a 1st floor window.Ask an adult to supervise you whilst carrying out the official land.

Tip: Test your

landing! If you need to protect yourSpace Pod more,just revisitActivity 1.

ACTIVITY 3 Did you know?Keep ahold of yourSpace Pod,

you’ll need it forMission 3!

Follow us to see what others get up to:

@insideatkins & @atkinsglobal

@atkins_global

@atkinsglobal

@atkins

We would love to see what you get up to!

Here is an example Space Pod that has been upgraded with balloons as air bags and the passenger protected with fabric.

Take videos and photos whilst you prepare and safely land your Space Pod, then share on social media.

Tag us using #insideatkins

Mars is red because of a mineral called

iron oxide that’s very common on the surface.

Also, the sky on Mars often appears pink or light orange because the dust in the soil is blown into Mars’ thin

atmosphere by winds!

Atkins are creating a series of fun and engaging activities for children to work on at home.

For further details visit: atkinsglobal.com/stem

Coming soon...

MISSION 3