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Voyage to Mars

Voyage to Mars Logo
In Earth years, it is 2076 and a now routine Voyage to Mars has brought the latest human crew into Martian orbit. Both the relief crew and the planet based crew will be under tight deadlines to gather and analyze important data and communicate information to the teams in Spacecraft and in Mars Control.

Mission Details

Group Size:  Minimum of 8, maximum of 26


Age Group:  5th and above                               


Program Costs: 

  • $550 per mission in the fall (July 1-December 31) 
  • $600 per mission in the spring (January 1 - June 30)
  • $50 Educator Training is required (see below) 


School and Group Mission Specifics

A school or youth group mission includes the curriculum package with pre and post visit classroom activities.


Mission Hours:  AM and PM Missions Available

  • Monday—Friday                     
  • 9:00 am—11:30 am*                
  • 12:15 pm—2:45 pm*

*There is some flexibility here. We understand that some schools start later or that busses run on different schedules at various districts. Please feel free to call with any questions or concerns.                  

Evenings and weekends are scheduled by request. Call for more information.


Scheduling:  Reservations are required. The teacher workshop is scheduled at the time of the mission reservation. Complete the Mission Scheduling Form located on the Schedule a Mission tab to schedule your mission.

Our “lunch pad” is available for groups who wish to bring their own lunches. Our science lab is also available for for teachers to utilize with their students for additional inquiry based learning time!

Complete the Mission Scheduling Form located on the Schedule a Mission tab to schedule your mission. Don't wait, our schedule fills up quickly.  Some schools book up to a year in advance!

Educator Training

Educators who schedule Challenger Learning Center missions for their classes will attend a half-day or evening mission preparation workshop the first year of their involvement in a particular scenario. During the workshop, they will participate in mission activities, learn about the logistics of their students' mission day, and receive a curriculum package.

During training, educators will receive a Mission Preparation Manual, which includes information on the following:

Challenger Center's Pedagogy and National and State Standards
  1. Mission Prep Tips
  2. Team Assembly
  3. Team Descriptions
  4. Crew Manifests
  5. Job Applications for these positions
  6. Preparation Activities - Click here to see the list of preparation activities.
The Mars Mission Activity Guide contains the following pre-mission activities:
  1. Navigating a Spacecraft
  2. Spacesuit design
  3. Mars Geologic Mapping
  4. Mission Meals
  5. Hydroponics
  6. Searching for Signs of Life
Supplemental Resources:
  1. Content Background
  2. Name Tags with Team Assignment Templates
  3. Mission Certificate Template
  4. Mission Day Logistics

Top Gun Training - Optional

Top Gun Training is a 2-hour after school training for teachers who have completed Teacher Training Levels I and II in the same scenario. The major objective of the training is to prepare the teacher as an Assistant Flight Director in Mission Control during the student mission. At the completion of the training, the teacher will:
  • be able to assist the Flight Director in Mission Control during the mission
  • feel comfortable and competent in assisting the students through the mission by having a general understanding of the station manuals and computers 
  • be able to guide the students to find solutions to problems on their own
  • be fitted for a loaned flight suit that he/she will wear the day of the mission
  • be able to share input during the mission briefing and de-briefing 
  • in some cases be able to lead the mid-briefing during the crew exchange
  • have a general understanding the imbedded emergencies and their solutions