This resource introduces students to Earth's moon and the eight other planets in our solar system. Students learn about the geology, composition, and orbits of other planets by planning a trip to another planet. Students likely know some information about the other planets in our solar system as well as about earth's moon. In this lesson, students will build on this knowledge as they research one of the other eight planets in order to determine whether a manned mission to that planet would be feasible. Students will determine such factors as: what it is like, whether or not it is habitable, and how its orbit affects planning a trip. The lesson begins with a whole class exercise in which students plan a trip to the moon. In addition to giving students a broader knowledge of the moon, this exercise gives the teacher an opportunity to model the steps that students will take as they work in small groups to research and develop their own proposals. (author/kct)