Robots: The New Space Explorers

Question

1
For some, the words “space exploration” bring to mind images of brave astronauts holding their helmets and waving at a crowd of smiling people before climbing into a rocket ship and blasting off. This may indeed be the scene commonly presented in blockbuster movies. These days, though, most voyages into space are made by machines. By making use of robots, humans can learn a great deal about our solar system and what lies beyond. The best part? We can do so without leaving the safety of Earth. Therefore, it is no longer necessary for people to attempt a risky trip to the Moon or to another planet.

Anything Astronauts Can Do . . .

2
The probes, rovers, and other types of equipment that travel into space are designed by brilliant individuals who have a deep knowledge of both robotics and space exploration. These machines can be programmed to do many of the same things a human might do. For example, space probes can measure the temperature on a planet and determine the gases that are present in its atmosphere. They can take photographs of a planet’s surface. Some can even collect samples and bring them back to Earth.

Accomplishing What Isn’t Humanly Possible

3
We are so far away from other planets that current technology makes it impractical for humans to travel to them. Machines do not care how far they are away from Earth, though, or even if they ever come back. Robots can go farther into space and explore more distant objects and planets than humans can. Robotic spacecraft have traveled to the closest planet to the Sun and those farthest away. Some have even ventured farther into the Milky Way.

Smart Spending of Space Dollars

4
We live in a world where many question whether it is wise to spend any money on exploring space. Even those who believe we should would likely agree that wise spending should be a priority. It is a well-established fact that it is cheaper to send robots into space than it is to send people. Consider the following: In 2011, NASA sent a rover called the Mars Science Laboratory to Mars. The cost of this mission was about 2.5 billion dollars. According to NASA, sending people on a similar mission would potentially increase the price tag to hundreds of billions of dollars.

Robotic Space Explorers: Creations That Inspire Awe

5
There are those who will argue that the concept of a robot traveling to Mars or Pluto simply isn’t as exciting as the notion of men and women making the same journey. Perhaps, though, they simply need to look at the idea of robotic space exploration in a slightly different way. These robots are making discoveries in places people cannot yet reach. They are a reminder of the practically limitless genius of the human mind.

Two-Part Question
Multiple Choice Question
The following question has two parts. First, answer Part A. Then, answer Part B.

Part A:

Which point about sending men or robots into space do the authors of both texts mention, but view differently?

A.
The dollar cost of sending men into space is a factor that both authors mention, but see the financial investment of that idea in different ways.

B.
Robots can go further into space and don’t care how long they are gone or if they ever come back.

C.
The robots are unable to make distinctions between what they find and see in space and may disregard something special about a finding that a man would not.

D.
People have not yet worked out and spent the time on how to meet the difficult needs of Astronauts traveling for long durations of time in space.

Multiple Choice Question
Part B:

Which sentence from “The Importance of Sending People to Space” is a different interpretation than the other text about sending men or robots into space that supports your answer to Part A?

A.
They cannot make a distinction between unusual and expected observations.

B.
Maybe the reason astronauts are not able to go to these places yet is that we aren’t putting enough effort into figuring out how to meet their complex needs during prolonged space missions.

C.
Humans, as living things, have many needs that robots do not.

D.
If sending one human crew to Venus could advance our knowledge of the universe as much as three robotic space missions could, even a much higher cost would be justified.

Answer 1

Part A:

The correct answer is:

A. The dollar cost of sending men into space is a factor that both authors mention, but see the financial investment of that idea in different ways.

Part B:

The correct answer is:

D. If sending one human crew to Venus could advance our knowledge of the universe as much as three robotic space missions could, even a much higher cost would be justified.

This sentence reflects a different interpretation of the financial implications and benefits of sending humans into space compared to the perspective presented in the first text, which emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of robotic missions.