Activity Execution

What is a Rover? 

To build a Rover, scientists and engineers work together as a team. They start by studying the terrain  of the planet where the rover will be used. Since our inspiration is Curiosity Mars Rover, let's look at the Martian terrain  in the video below. Curiosity Rover has recorded it and sent to us on Earth, so we build a better rover for future exploration. The video below [2] shows the time-lapse of the Mars Rover: an achievement worth 12 months!

Twelve months in 2 minutes!

Let's think about using energy to power up the rover or any vehicle! The energy has to be stored to be used by the rover/vehicle. How is stored energy used to make any vehicle move?

Get Curious!

The Curiosity Rover was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida on November 26, 2011, and landed on Mars on August 6, 2012. Image [10]. 

According to NASA, Curiosity has been roaming around Gale Crater, which, it discovered, contained lake billions of years ago and an environment that could have supported microbial life. The rover is still hunting for clues related to this environment. [3]

We're now ready to make a Balloon Moon Buggy. Let's get going!

Below we have given the steps that show you the materials required and guide you on how to make the balloon moon buggy which will be powered by the balloon!

What are the material requirements?


Take a look at the list below and make sure you didn't miss out on anything!
Material
Quantity
Dimension/
size/weight
(if applicable)
Alternative
(if applicable)
Cardboard sheet
1
6” x 3.5”
Piece of milk carton cut in given size
Wooden skewer
2
6” - 8” (length)
Barbecue stick
Bottle cap of a soft drink bottle with a hole in the centre to tightly pass a skewer (hole can be made using any pointed tool/thing)
4
-
-
Straws
4
-
-
Balloon
2
Party balloon
10” - 12” (inflated size) 
-
Scissor
1
Round edge
-
Pencil
1
Any type
-
Ruler
1
12”
-
Duct tape
1
½” width
Paper tape/masking tape
Board Marker
1
Standard
Any other marker

Let's get started!

STEP 1: We will start by taking a cardboard sheet and mark 4 horizontal lines at the four sides.




STEP 3: Cut the two straws into halves.




STEP 3: Stick the four straws on the marked lines.


STEP 4: Pass the skewer through one of the caps.



STEP 5: Now let's cap it at both the ends and do it for the other side as well.




Are the wheels attached properly?

Give it a push!

STEP 6:

  • Take a balloon and chop its neck off.
  • Insert a straw and seal it with a duct tape.


STEP 7: Now attach the engine to the buggy.


Tape it with a piece of duct tape!


Blow air from the open end of the straw and keep your finger there to block it.

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Last modified: Monday, 5 April 2021, 12:04 PM