Grades: 5 to 12

In Earth years, it is 2076, and now routine Voyage to Mars has brought the latest human crew into Martian orbit.  Mars control is located at Chryse Station in the Chryse Planitia region in the Northern hemisphere of Mars.  This was the site of the first Viking landing on Mars in 1976.  It was chosen for a permanent base because the Viking has sent the longest timeline of data about the region.
 
The Mars Control team has been living on Mars for two years. During this time, they have been gathering data and samples, conducting experiments, and performing their assigned duties.  Anxious to get home, they direct the Mars Transport Vehicle team (which is assigned to be the Mars team’s relief) to arrive on the planet safely and in the correct spot so that they are able to take over the Mars Mission.  This will allow the Mars Control team to return home Earth on schedule. The Mars Transport Vehicle will also have as its objective the launching of a probe to study one of the Martian moons, Phobos or Deimos.