Mars Foundation Holding Events at MIT's IAP

January 09, 2005 — The Mars Foundation will be holding a number of events at MIT during the annual IAP (Independent Activities Period) in January and early February. Activities will include an overview of the Mars Homestead Project, a discussion of UROP opportunities for MIT students, and recurring work sessions on technology planning and robotic systems development.

The schedule of Mars Foundation IAP events is now available. Please note that these events are only open to members of the MIT community.

2005 Boy Scout Space Workshop Attracts 16 Troops

April 30, 2005 — The MIT Mars Society's annual Boy Scout Space Workshop attracted its largest group ever this year for activities pursuing the Space Exploration merit badge. Over 80 scouts from 16 troops launched model rockets, designed interplanetary spacecraft and space stations, and completed classes in orbital mechanics, rocket propulsion, space history, and celestial phenomena.

Scouts assembled Estes model rockets before the day of the event and brought them to launch pads erected on MIT's Briggs Field. Despite the wet weather and low-altitude winds, nearly all rockets were successfully recovered with their deployable parachutes. The scouts learned the basics of range safety and ignited their own solid rocket motors for each launch.

Afternoon classes explored topics including: how rockets work and how to make them better; the objects in our solar system and why they formed as they did; the most efficient way to launch missions to Mars; and the past and future of space exploration concepts and programs. MIT Mars Society volunteers from numerous labs and departments assisted with the course instruction.

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