Ian+O

= Wiki entry #1 = ==== Electronics can be complex and difficult to understand but they all come from one basic source, electricity. Analog signals are signals that increase or decrease the same way as the thing being that it is being transmitted and changes smoothly as the temperature changes. Digital signals on the other hand doesn't vary smoothly but will jump or step and is represented by a series of numbers. Semiconductors help electronic devices to use less power and to be more dependable. Without semiconductors, electronic devices will heat up causing them to be less dependable and use more power to be used. Diodes and transistors are combinations of n-type and p-type semiconductors that behave like switches. Other combinations can be formed to increase or amplify the voltage and are usually classified as solid-state components that are used in electric circuits. Integrated circuits are types of circuits that contain a large number of interconnected solid-state componentsthat are made from a single chip of semiconductor material. In all, electronics control many of the things that we do and no matter what size, they are still very powerful. ====

===** Electronics will be very useful when traveling to mars. Electronics would have to control basically all of the space ship. Electronics would be used to communicate to space stations. Electronics would also be used to navigate to Mars. Oxygen would have to be created from Carbon dioxide therefore, electronics would have to covert different gases into Oxygen. Computers or any electronic devices on board would need to be powered by an electrical device. If there were to be any robots to travel the surface of Mars, electronics would be needed for that. As shown in all of the examples, many different electronic devices would be needed on board the space ship. Diodes, transistors, integrated chips, and semiconductors would all be used to make these devices that would be needed to search Mars. **===

= **Wiki entry #2** =

**The first recorded start to rockets was called the aeolipile. It was made by a Greek inventor named Hero. This device was used by lighting a fire underneath a kettle of water and allowing the gas to flow through tubes into a spherical object that would then allow the steam to exit through L-shaped tubes. This caused the sphere to turn over. One of the first rockets was invented by the Chinese. It was made from gunpowder tubes attached to an arrow. When the arrow was launched into the air it would shoot into the sky. The first recorded rocket that was recorded was in 1232. The Chinese used these “Rockets” to use repel Mongol invaders during the battle of Kai-Keng.**

**The Mongols followed up this battle by building rockets of their own which caused the spread of rockets to Europe. When this idea spread into France, a man named Jean Froissart found that rockets could be more accurate if they were launched from a stick. This idea led to the invention of the modern bazooka. In 1898, a Russian school teacher proposed the idea of space travel. In the early 20th century, Robert H. Goddard conducted experiments in rocketry. After many years of testing different rockets, they became bigger and flew higher. During WWII, as rockets became huge and flew much more higher, the Germans used them to bomb cities. In 1957, the world was stunned when the Russians made an earth-orbiting artificial satellite. In 1958, the USA also made a satellite of its own; later that year, NASA was created. Soon, many people and machines were launched into space. **





= = = **Rocket Stages Animation ** = media type="custom" key="9019792"

=Wiki Entry #3 - Rocket Parts=

= Wiki entry #4 - Rocket Experiment = == The purpose of this experiment was to teach us about altitude and how mass can affect it. Through doing this, we had great experiences and learned a lot while having fun. The experiment was executed by building the rocket first. Then, we painted a protective coat over it so that it wouldn’t be damaged. Next, we placed the motors in the rocket and learned how the rocket would launch. Following all of these steps, it was finally launch day. The first procedure that was performed was rolling the trundelwheel one hundred clicks away from the launch pad. Each click was the equivalent of a meter. After all of the ignition parts were checked, we were ready for liftoff. Then, once the launcher was given the OK, they launched the rocket into the air. The results of this experiment are shown below in figure 1. ==

[[image:ido_rocketresults.JPG caption="Figure 1"]]
== My rocket flew very high and spiraled rapidly through the air. It reached an astounding height of 119.2 meters with a mass of 43.5 grams! Painting the rocket helped during the landing to keep the rocket from being damaged from the fall. The construction of my rocket was very good, as nothing broke when the rocket took off and landed. Next time, I think that my partner and I should use patience when getting the rocket ready for takeoff:). I had a lot of fun launching the rocket and enjoyed collaborating with my lab partner. ==

= Wiki #5 - The Importance of Astronomy in the Search for Life on Mars = === I think that Astronomy has a lot to do with the search for life on Mars. Astronomy allows us to locate where Mars is. Astronomy also helps us to navigate through the Solar System. We can use it in order to see which planets and moons that we will pass on our journey. Astronomy would need to be studied so that we can see if there is any potential danger near the planet Mars. If this were to happen and we not be aware of it, the mission could end fatally. Astronomy would be needed in many situations in order to help us to move and adjust to the speed of Mars, as the speed of Earth and Mars are different. Astronomy will be very handy in our flight to find life forms on Mars. ===

To learn more about astronomy, go to this link: Click Here!

=Wiki #6 - The History of Robotics=

The History of Robots dates back to Ancient China. In the 10th century BC, a Chinese mechanical engineer named Yan Shi was credited with making the first automaton that resembled a human. In 1495, one of the first recorded designs of a humanoid robot was crafted by Leonardo Da Vinci. This evolution of robots continued for many years and robots became much more improved. In 1737, Jacques de Vaucanson built many different things. They are as follows: a flute player, a tambourine player, and his most famous piece, the digesting duck. These designs helped to improve and evolve robotics.

With the improvements in the weaving industry, automation became widespread. The idea of programmable machines became popular with Charles Babbage Analytical Engine. In 1944, the first programmable computer was completed by Howard Aiken and Grace Hooper. In 1961, General Motors created the first ever industrial robot named Unimate. Time flew by in the robotics world as many new robotics were being created. In 1971, one such thing was the microprocessor created by Ted Hoff at Intel. Robotics have come a long way since the first robot; many new ideas are created every day that are used in our daily life.

=Wiki #7 - Motors=

Motors are used to power robots functions. We have to program the motor in order for it to do what we want it to do. To program it we use systems like Mindstorms that allow us to tell its every move. Some of these movements are going forwards, backwards, right circle, left circle, curve turn, and so on. Sometimes when you would like for these functions to happen, the motors don’t always respond. Motors can also have malfunctions which can affect how the robot will move. In all, motors are the source for functions of robots. A sensor is something that can detect something. Whether it be a sound or an object, sensors will be able to pick it up and detect it. There are many types of sensors, there are sound sensors, touch sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and light sensors. Sensors will be very useful in our search for life on mars. We will use them to observe the texture of the ground on mars. We will also use them to find distances, listen to noises, and find important objects. In all, sensors will be very useful on our trip.

=Wiki #8 - Life= In order to be described as living, there are many things that must be possessed. The first thing that is required is to be made up of cells. A living thing also needs materials and nutrients to survive. Something that is living must be homeostatic and internally should stay the same despite environmental changes. To be classified as living, there must be a response to stimuli and it must be able to react with two types of responses, positive or negative. A living thing must also be able to reproduce whether it be by egg, pine cone, etc. There are many things that are required of a living thing but one of the main ones is that something has to grow. A living thing must also be able to adapt which means it must modify itself so that it is suited to its way of life. Finally, all living things must go through a process called respiration where energy is released. As you can see, there are many things that something is required to be able to do and have in order for it to be living.

In our search for life on Mars, we will need to use some sort of equipment that will allow us to detect life. One thing that we can use is a radar to tell if an object is near or far. From there you could use heat sensors which can detect heat off an object that could tell us whether something is living or not. We could also make a robot programmed to instantly recognize if something shows all eight signs of life. With high tech video and camera equipment, we could record and take photos of things that could possibly show signs of life. All of these ideas will help us in our search for life on Mars.