Activate Communications
What’s a satellite dish?
A satellite dish is a type of antenna that uses radio waves to receive or transmit data. On a human mission to Mars, they’d be used to transmit messages between Earth and Mars.
What makes radio waves suitable for deep space communication?
Oh, no! The satellite dish is down.
We must get the Communications Station online quickly and effectively! We’ve been told that you and your team are the people that we should speak with about this.
Think about ways the robot could push the satellite dish into an upright position to get the Communications Station online.
Brainstorm ideas for solving the mission.
You can split the main task into smaller subtasks, and brainstorm answers to questions like:
- What are some ways in which the robot could navigate to the Communications Station?
- Can you think of some ways that the robot could push the satellite dish carefully and accurately into an upright position?
Build, program and test your robot.
Continue working on your robot until you’re ready to complete the mission.
Achievement Badges
The four levels of badges that you can earn for this mission are:
Platinum Badge
The satellite dish stays in an upright position. You’ve managed to get the link online, and the scientists are uploading data as we speak. You also went beyond the mission requirements by adding features to your design. Great job!
Gold Badge
The satellite dish stays in an upright position. You’ve managed to get the link online, and the scientists are uploading data as we speak. This is a significant step forwards for us, and it’s all due to your effort. Well done!
Silver Badge
Your satellite dish stays upright but at a lower position than it was supposed to because the robot didn’t push hard enough. This means that our communications will be limited for a while, but at least we have a usable link to home. Thanks for your hard work!
Bronze Badge
There’s a problem. The robot goes out and pushes on the satellite dish, but the dish will not stay upright because the robot pushed too much or not enough. This means that there’s no communications link. Thanks for your effort, we’re glad that you tried!
Go for it!
Set up your robot in the base area and send it out for a judged attempt at this mission.
Mission Rules
Remember to follow these rules as you’re attempting to complete the mission:
- Your robot must always start the mission from the base area.
- Your robot must leave the base area before carrying out the mission.
- A ‘successful robot return’ occurs when any part of the robot crosses over any part of the base area line.
- You’re not allowed to touch your robot while it’s outside of the base area.
- If you touch your robot while it’s entirely outside of the base area and it’s holding an object, the object must be returned to its original position, and you must begin the mission again.
How did you do?
Which badge did you achieve? If you have enough time, you can try again for a better result.
Brilliant! The Communications Station is online… and you’re on to your next mission!