Preliminary Design
Going to Mars - Tools
By: Mrs. Richards' 5th Grade Class

 

Narrative Description

Science/Instrumentation

Our team designed a modified bulldozer blade that would be mounted on

the rover.  Its main function would be to clear a path for easier movement of the treads of the rover across the Martian landscape. A secondary function would be excavation of difficult to reach minerals buried in the soil of Mars. This tool would also be useful in assisting with clear an area for habitat construction.

The bulldozer blade would be made of a titanium alloy. At the end of the blade there would be a very sharp digging and probing attachment. The blade would be able to turn or be straight so it could both push and shovel dirt.  Using built in hydraulics it could be angled left or right to plow dirt and rocks out of the way of the rover. The blade would be

The size of a normal bulldozer blade, but lighter and stronger.

Compare/Contrast Analysis

Because the surface of Mars is very similar to volcanic areas of Earth, this blade could be used and tested on the Earth’s surface. This tool could perform the same tasks of earthmoving and getting access to samples of minerals.