Missions and More
School Mission: Encounter Earth Print

Mission Earth

Mission Overview

Environmental scientists collect data from all over the Earth's surface. This raw data is analyzed to obtain a global view of Earth's environment on a daily, seasonal, annual, and long-term basis. A common data collection technique is the use of Earth-based probes. Probes are placed at many different locations on Earth's surface to measure important environmental conditions such as ocean temperatures, currents, and vegetation, as well as troposphere (lower atmosphere), land vegetation, temperatures, and ground moisture.

The information collected by these probes is transmitted to a low-Earth orbiting (LEO) satellite. The LEO satellite then transmits the probe information to ground-based stations such as the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, or to a Geosynchronous Orbiting (GEO) satellite, which in turn transmits the information to the ground-based stations.

In the summer of the year 2137, the LEO satellite collecting probe data has malfunctioned and must be replaced. The elite ERS-I Emergency Response Squad composed of 8 teams trained in satellite design and environmental survey has been called in. One half of the ERS-I crew has been stationed on a LEO Spacelab and is working diligently to construct a new satellite to deploy into orbit for data collection.

Since the Earth-based probes are designed to transmit data on a regular basis to the LEO satellite, they contain very little data storage capacity. While the ERS-I Satellite Team is constructing the new satellite, the data collection teams (GEOsphere, HYDROsphere, ATMosphere, BIOsphere, and ECOsphere) must collect and transmit data from areas near the probes to Mission Control.

The other half of the ERS-I crew has been stationed on Earth in the Ops Center of Mission Control. These team members analyze the probe data and compare it to historical data in order to correlate relationships. Additionally, Mission Control, along with their Spacelab teammates, examines sensor data for environmental conditions that might pose a threat to planet Earth and its inhabitants. Transmission of data and information occurs with the aid of two teams, COM (COMmunication) and DAX (Data Acquisition and EXamination). DAX has the additional duty of conducting research to aid the investigation of the data collection teams.

Once the LEO satellite is constructed and deployed, it can resume the job of data collection and transmission. The ERS-I Emergency Response Squad can return to Earth with a greater knowledge about their home planet and a sense of accomplishment, having completed a successful mission.

Encounter Earth Teams

COM (COMmunication): Team members will be responsible for all verbal messages transferred between Mission Control and the Spacelab.

DAX (Data Acquisition and EXamination): Team members will be responsible for data that must travel between Mission Control and the Spacelab. The will also be the primary researchers for the Spacelab and Mission Control crews.

SAT (Satellite): Team members will determine the correct communication frequencies for Earth probes, satellites, and Earth laboratories. They will build and deploy a new low-Earth orbiting satellite to replace a non-functioning satellite.

GEO (Geosphere): Team members will determine whether ocean temperature and/or currents are directly related to sea level. During emergencies, team members will use robots to collect soil samples to be tested for pH and determine the effect of flooding on different land areas.

HYDRO (Hydrosphere): Team members will determine whether ocean temperatures and/or currents are directly related to ocean vegetation. During emergencies, team members will perform pH tests on the water supply and test water for total dissolved solids and chlorine.

ATM (Atmosphere): Team members will determine whether rainfall and/or temperature are directly related to cloud cover. During emergencies, team members will determine the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water and do qualitative analysis of gas using a spectroscope.

BIO (Biosphere): These team members will determine whether vegetation is directly related to the ground moisture and/or temperature. During emergencies, team members may simulate the amount of light that passes through volcanic ash and determine the effect of an oil spill in the ocean.

ECO (Ecosphere): Team members will determine whether population density is directly related to lights observed at night. During emergencies, team members will determine the effect of CO2 on plants and use a microscope to determine the portability of water.

 

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Sample questions from the Encounter Earth Baseline studies log sheet

 

ATM station data log

Mark each area on the map with a • and neatly record annual averages or otals for that area next to the •.

After you have completed 3 areas, answer the questions working with your SS/MC teammates. If you need more
space, use an arrow to show where data belongs. Refer back to the RESULTS” table on screen if you need to recall data you’ve collected.

 


MC Team: Ave Annual Cloud Cover

1. Describe what you think “percent cloud cover” means.
2. What patterns might be indicated in the distribution of average cloud cover?
3. Based on what you know about that part of the world, does the data match what you know about the climate of that area?
4. What other measurements could you make in that part of the world that might correlate with what you observe?
5. Look at the data from the BIO team to see if your data correlates with their data in any way. Explain your observations.
6. How does the cloud cover change with the seasons?

 

 

SS Team: Ave Annual Temperature & Total Annual Rainfall


1. Define what you think “total annual rainfall” means.
2. What patterns might be indicated in the distribution of average precipitation?
3. Does the data match what you know about the climate of that area?
4. Do you see any similarities in patterns between precipitation and cloud cover?  Does it make sense?
5. What other measurements could you make in that part of the world that might correlate with what you observe?
6. Look at the data from the BIO team to see if your data correlates with their data in any way. Explain your observations.
7. How has the average precipitation changed with the seasons?