What If Competition Overview
What If Competition Overview:
This year’s competition challenges students to write an essay about how to help the crew of Space Peace Mission 1 (SPM-1) whose Lunar Module Altair was damaged during landing and stranded the 4 astronauts onboard! This essay and any supporting information are due by February 19, 2010. You can form up in teams of two or work alone, but all teams require an Adult Sponsor.
Below is the description for the essay but please review the Rules Section for the full details on the competition and how to enter and the Schedule Section for the deadlines. If you have any questions, please Contact the What If Management Team.
Competition Topic:
The Crew of first Constellation mission Space Peace Mission 1 (SPM-1) left earth last week on a mission to the moon. Their goal was to survey the area near the south pole of the moon and find the best location for establishing the first permanent lunar base. During the landing, the Lunar Module Altair was damaged and stranded the 4 astronaut onboard. A new Lunar Lander module is being built to be delivered to the astronauts, but it will take 6 months before they can finish and deliver this return vehicle. The astronauts only have food and supplies for 7 days. NASA has planned an unmanned mission to deliver supplies to the astronauts.
What if you were put in charge of deciding what can be put in this vessel that would help the astronauts survive for 6 months? Remember they can use what you are sending to them along with any other resource available on the moon or onboard Altair. Remember the life of these astronauts depends on your creativity, and accuracy.
Good luck!