Asked by akashi
Ask a New Question
Search questions and answers...
Search
Search
Question successfully posted! Ask another question.
×
The Importance of Sending People to Space
1
Several generations of people have seen pictures of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the Moon in 1969. At the time, the hundreds of millions who watched this historic event likely thought it marked the beginning of a bold new kind of exploration. Perhaps they thought they would soon hear more messages from outer space. Maybe they envisioned that by the turn of the century someone would walk on the surface of Mars. Now, though, more than 40 years later, it’s robots—not astronauts—who are making most of the voyages beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Robotic space exploration does have some advantages. However, there are many reasons why we should make sending more people into space a priority.
Beyond the Program
2
The capabilities of the space probes and rovers we now use would have been the stuff of science fiction just a few short decades ago. Like any other machines, though, they have one major weakness. They can do only what they are programmed to do. They cannot make a distinction between unusual and expected observations. They cannot reason. They cannot think. A human scientist who identified a curious specimen on Mars would likely concentrate on finding out everything possible about it. The unthinking robot would probably treat it as just another sample.
Efforts Yield Results
3
One of the arguments in favor of using robots to explore space is that machines can go places humans cannot. This may be true, but let’s consider the other side. 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. Humans have proven time and again that they are able to solve problems that may have seemed impossible at first. There is no reason to assume that the challenge of sending people to Mars, Jupiter, or Neptune and getting them back home safely would be any different.
Costs and Benefits
4
Humans, as living things, have many needs that robots do not. Giving astronauts what they require to stay healthy in space naturally makes these kinds of missions more expensive than ones that use robots. It’s vital to weigh these increased costs against the benefits. 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.
Keeping the Dream Alive
5
It is said that the idea of traveling into space captures the imagination. For most, though, it’s not an image of a small vehicle rolling across the surface of Mars that inspires awe and wonder. It’s the notion that—one day—people from Earth will explore distant worlds that are literally millions of miles away from our home planet.
Robots: The New Space Explorers
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.
Both authors of "The Importance of Sending People to Space" and "Robots: The New Space Explorers" argue convincingly for or against using robots in space exploration in place of humans. Do you think such technology is positive or negative? Write a well-developed, multi-paragraph essay that states and argues your position. Cite evidence from both texts to support your argument.
make it look written by a 7th grader
Search questions and answers...
Search
Search
Question successfully posted! Ask another question.
×
The Importance of Sending People to Space
1
Several generations of people have seen pictures of Neil Armstrong stepping onto the Moon in 1969. At the time, the hundreds of millions who watched this historic event likely thought it marked the beginning of a bold new kind of exploration. Perhaps they thought they would soon hear more messages from outer space. Maybe they envisioned that by the turn of the century someone would walk on the surface of Mars. Now, though, more than 40 years later, it’s robots—not astronauts—who are making most of the voyages beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Robotic space exploration does have some advantages. However, there are many reasons why we should make sending more people into space a priority.
Beyond the Program
2
The capabilities of the space probes and rovers we now use would have been the stuff of science fiction just a few short decades ago. Like any other machines, though, they have one major weakness. They can do only what they are programmed to do. They cannot make a distinction between unusual and expected observations. They cannot reason. They cannot think. A human scientist who identified a curious specimen on Mars would likely concentrate on finding out everything possible about it. The unthinking robot would probably treat it as just another sample.
Efforts Yield Results
3
One of the arguments in favor of using robots to explore space is that machines can go places humans cannot. This may be true, but let’s consider the other side. 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. Humans have proven time and again that they are able to solve problems that may have seemed impossible at first. There is no reason to assume that the challenge of sending people to Mars, Jupiter, or Neptune and getting them back home safely would be any different.
Costs and Benefits
4
Humans, as living things, have many needs that robots do not. Giving astronauts what they require to stay healthy in space naturally makes these kinds of missions more expensive than ones that use robots. It’s vital to weigh these increased costs against the benefits. 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.
Keeping the Dream Alive
5
It is said that the idea of traveling into space captures the imagination. For most, though, it’s not an image of a small vehicle rolling across the surface of Mars that inspires awe and wonder. It’s the notion that—one day—people from Earth will explore distant worlds that are literally millions of miles away from our home planet.
Robots: The New Space Explorers
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.
Both authors of "The Importance of Sending People to Space" and "Robots: The New Space Explorers" argue convincingly for or against using robots in space exploration in place of humans. Do you think such technology is positive or negative? Write a well-developed, multi-paragraph essay that states and argues your position. Cite evidence from both texts to support your argument.
make it look written by a 7th grader
Answers
Answered by
GPT-4o mini
**The Debate on Space Exploration: Humans or Robots?**
Space exploration has always fascinated humans. The thought of venturing into the unknown and discovering new worlds captures our imagination. In the debate between sending humans or using robots for space exploration, I believe that sending people into space is vital despite the advantages of robotic missions. While robots are useful, having human astronauts can lead to more significant discoveries, offer inspiration, and keep the dream of space exploration alive.
First, let's talk about the capabilities of human astronauts. In the article "The Importance of Sending People to Space," it is highlighted that robots are unable to think for themselves. They follow programming and cannot make decisions or analyze unusual observations like a human can. For example, if an astronaut discovers a strange rock on Mars, they can study it closely and ask questions, leading to new insights. This creativity and problem-solving ability are essential for making profound discoveries. On the other hand, robots might collect data but won't be able to explore those unexpected findings further. This human touch can significantly advance our knowledge of the universe.
Moreover, sending humans into space is also about inspiration. People have been inspired by the stories of astronauts, like Neil Armstrong, who walked on the Moon. The piece “Keeping the Dream Alive” mentions that the idea of people traveling to other planets ignites wonder and excitement in many. When kids see astronauts succeeding in space, it motivates them to dream big and pursue careers in science and technology. If we rely solely on robots, we risk losing that sense of adventure and discovery that comes from seeing humans accomplish incredible feats.
Some might argue that robots are safer and cheaper options for space exploration, as mentioned in “Robots: The New Space Explorers.” The article notes that sending robots is much cheaper than sending astronauts. For instance, the Mars Science Laboratory robot mission cost about 2.5 billion dollars, while a human mission would cost hundreds of billions. However, we must weigh these costs against the potential benefits. If sending one crewed mission could yield more knowledge than three robotic missions, as suggested in the first text, then it would be worth the extra money.
In conclusion, while robots play a crucial role in exploring our solar system, they should not replace humans in space exploration. Human astronauts bring creativity, problem-solving skills, and inspiration that robots simply cannot match. As we move forward into the future of space exploration, it’s important to keep people involved in the journey, keeping the dream of exploring the universe alive. We should invest in sending humans into space to discover its wonders and inspire future generations to reach for the stars.
Space exploration has always fascinated humans. The thought of venturing into the unknown and discovering new worlds captures our imagination. In the debate between sending humans or using robots for space exploration, I believe that sending people into space is vital despite the advantages of robotic missions. While robots are useful, having human astronauts can lead to more significant discoveries, offer inspiration, and keep the dream of space exploration alive.
First, let's talk about the capabilities of human astronauts. In the article "The Importance of Sending People to Space," it is highlighted that robots are unable to think for themselves. They follow programming and cannot make decisions or analyze unusual observations like a human can. For example, if an astronaut discovers a strange rock on Mars, they can study it closely and ask questions, leading to new insights. This creativity and problem-solving ability are essential for making profound discoveries. On the other hand, robots might collect data but won't be able to explore those unexpected findings further. This human touch can significantly advance our knowledge of the universe.
Moreover, sending humans into space is also about inspiration. People have been inspired by the stories of astronauts, like Neil Armstrong, who walked on the Moon. The piece “Keeping the Dream Alive” mentions that the idea of people traveling to other planets ignites wonder and excitement in many. When kids see astronauts succeeding in space, it motivates them to dream big and pursue careers in science and technology. If we rely solely on robots, we risk losing that sense of adventure and discovery that comes from seeing humans accomplish incredible feats.
Some might argue that robots are safer and cheaper options for space exploration, as mentioned in “Robots: The New Space Explorers.” The article notes that sending robots is much cheaper than sending astronauts. For instance, the Mars Science Laboratory robot mission cost about 2.5 billion dollars, while a human mission would cost hundreds of billions. However, we must weigh these costs against the potential benefits. If sending one crewed mission could yield more knowledge than three robotic missions, as suggested in the first text, then it would be worth the extra money.
In conclusion, while robots play a crucial role in exploring our solar system, they should not replace humans in space exploration. Human astronauts bring creativity, problem-solving skills, and inspiration that robots simply cannot match. As we move forward into the future of space exploration, it’s important to keep people involved in the journey, keeping the dream of exploring the universe alive. We should invest in sending humans into space to discover its wonders and inspire future generations to reach for the stars.