Machines, not people should be exploring the stars for now

What significant event involving SpaceX occurred on March 30?

• Launch of a new satellite

• Successful reuse of a previously flown rocket

• First manned mission to Mars

• Discovery of a new planet

Who was laid to rest on April 6, as mentioned in the text?

• Neil Armstrong

• Buzz Aldrin

• John Glenn

• Yuri Gagarin

What is the main argument of the text?

• Humans should explore space immediately.

• Robotic exploration should precede human exploration.

• Space exploration is too expensive.

• Space exploration should be halted.

Which of the following is NOT a reason given for preferring robotic exploration over human exploration?

• Robots are less expensive to send into space.

• Robots do not require food, water, or air.

• Robots can survive in extreme conditions.

• Robots can make independent judgments without human input.

What is the estimated cost of a possible manned mission to Mars?

• $3.2 billion

• $2.5 billion

• $170 billion

• $1 trillion

True or False: The International Space Station cost about $170 billion.

• True

• False

True or False: The Hubble telescope has revealed more about the universe than any other scientific instrument.

• True

• False

True or False: The text argues that human space exploration is more cost-effective than robotic exploration.

• True

• False

What are the three important goals mentioned in the text that we need to achieve from our space program?

Explain why the author believes robotic exploration should precede human exploration.