Recent & Future
Space Exploration
Learn about recent and future space exploration, like the Mars landing of the newest rover (and its helicopter), the next astronaut moonwalk and a space outpost that will orbit the moon. (Below video was released in the Summer 2020.)
The Future of Space Exploration
Note: The James Webb Space Telescope was launched in December 2021 and is now operational.
Ingenuity: First Mars Helicopter
The newest Mars rover "Perseverance", along with its helicopter "Ingenuity", successfully landed on Mars on February 18, 2021. Ingenuity is the first helicopter to fly on Mars! Learn more about Ingenuity, then build your own model of Ingenuity.
Video Courtesy NASA
Mars Helicopter Build
Materials
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Scissor
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Tape
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Glue
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String or Dental Floss (4-6 inches)
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Tape
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Ballpoint Pen
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Printable Cutout Sheet for this Activity (from Cosmoto's "Week 5" Site Page)
Step 1
Cut along the dotted lines of the shapes on the cutout sheet.
Also, cut the rectangle shapes showing the the helicopter blades.
Use a ballpoint pen to make a small hole in the middle of square 5.
Step 2
Bend the dotted lines to form a cube. Then, tape sides 2 and 3 to side 5. Leave side 4 open.
Step 3
Thread a 4-6 inch piece of string/floss through the hole in square 5.
Tape the string/floss to the underside of square 5.
Tape square 4 to square 5 to close the paper box.
Step 4
With the other cutout shaped like a "T", use a scissor to cut the short dotted line at the end of the "T" (if you have not done so already).
Next, on this "T" shaped cutout, fold one of the upper-halves of this cutout along the solid angled line that appears on that half of the cutout.
Then, fold the other upper-half of this cutout in the opposite direction where the other solid angled line appears.
Glue a rectangular cutout showing the helicopter blade to one of the bent tops of the "T" shaped cutout. With the remaining helicopter blade cutout, glue it to the other bent top of the "T" shaped cutout.
Step 5
Cut a small hole through the outline of a circle that appears at the bottom of the helicopter cutout.
Step 6
Thread the string (from the paper box you just made) through this circle and tape it in place.
Step 7
You have now completed your working model of Ingenuity, the first helicopter on Mars! Drop the helicopter, and the blades will spin!
