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Mars Landing Challenge

Manage atmospheric braking and powered descent to land safely on Mars.

YOUR OBSERVATORY NOTEBOOK0 / 10plus Moon Landing & Orbital Rescue missions
Mars descent flight deck
Drag to rotate · illustrative overview scale
Altitude800.0 m
Vertical velocity-45.00 m/s
Fuel400.0 kg
Ready for descent

Elapsed 0.0 s · Mars gravity 3.71 m/s² · Actual thrust 0.00 kN

CONTINUE YOUR EXPLORATION

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Free online Mars landing simulator game

Mars Landing Challenge: experiment guide

This browser-based physics game + 3d helps you manage atmospheric braking and powered descent to land safely on Mars. Designed for Grades 7–12, it turns an abstract idea into a model you can control, measure, reset, and test without signing up.

What you can investigate

Explore Mars gravity, drag, thrust, descent by changing the available controls and comparing the model’s visual and numerical evidence. Try one variable at a time, then combine changes to test a stronger explanation.

Mars gravitydragthrustdescent

How to use this simulation

  1. 1Read the mission and make a prediction before moving a control.
  2. 2Change one variable so its effect is easier to identify.
  3. 3Run the model and record a value, pattern, or visible change.
  4. 4Reset, test a different setup, and explain the result from evidence.

For students, teachers, and independent study

A typical investigation takes 10–18 min. Use it as a lesson demonstration, a guided inquiry activity, a homework experiment, or a quick review. The simulation runs in a modern web browser and does not require an account.

Level
Advanced
Time
10–18 min
Format
Physics game + 3D

Common questions

What does the Mars Landing Challenge teach?

Manage atmospheric braking and powered descent to land safely on Mars. The main ideas are Mars gravity, drag, thrust, descent.

Is the Mars Landing Challenge free to use?

Yes. You can run the simulation online for free without creating an account.

How long does the activity take?

Most learners can complete one investigation in 10–18 min. You can repeat it to compare more variables or improve your explanation.