Explore Space Mining on the Moon

Mission Overview

In this activity, students simulate a lunar water mining operation by driving a sensor-equipped RC rover over a covered lunar surface model. Hidden beneath the surface, rare earth magnets represent water-rich regions. When the rover passes over a magnet, a reed sensor detects the magnetic field and triggers a light to turn green, indicating a potential water deposit. This models how space agencies explore planetary bodies for vital resources like water.

Materials Needed

• RC car with reed sensor module and LED light
• Rare earth magnets (to represent subsurface water)
• Flat table or board (represents lunar surface)
• Cloth or sheet (to cover the magnets and rocks)
• Rocks and lunar soil analog (to simulate terrain)
• Tape (to fix magnets on table)
• Worksheet for recording water detections

Activity Procedure

1. Secure rare earth magnets to a table using tape and cover them with cloth to represent the hidden lunar surface.
2. Scatter rocks or terrain features above the cloth to simulate the ruggedness of the moon's geography.
3. Attach a reed sensor and LED light on the top of the RC car. The LED should light up green when the sensor detects a magnetic field.
4. Allow students to drive the rover slowly across the surface. Each time the LED turns green, they record a detection on their worksheet.
5. Once complete, students analyze how many water sources they discovered and reflect on rover placement strategy.

Scientific Concepts

• Planetary Exploration: Use of robotics to detect hidden resources.
• Magnetic Fields: Reed sensors react to magnetic forces when close to a magnet.
• Remote Sensing: Identifying data without physical contact with the target area.
• STEM Engineering: Sensor integration in robotic systems.

Post-Activity Reflection

• How effective was your rover in locating all water zones?
• What would improve your sensor or scanning pattern?
• What challenges might real astronauts face when conducting similar operations on the Moon or Mars?