Why We Shouldn't Go To Mars

What program does the author think might be cut to pay for Mars exploration?

• deficit increases

• rock analysis

• federal taxes

• health care

The author believes that the government should:

• visit the moon again

• develop better space technology

• analyze rocks found on earth

• build more Hoover Dams

Which of the following counterarguments does the author use against his opponents' views?

• A Mars mission is too expensive at this time

• exploring Mars will bring many discoveries

• everyone will one day travel to Mars

• astronauts refuse to travel to Mars anyway

What support does the author provide for his idea that unmanned space probes are more beneficial than manned missions?

• they can visit other planets as well as Mars

• they need people on Earth to travel in space

• they take pictures of planets from the Moon

• they are less expensive than manned missions

What is the author’s main point about space exploration?

• most exploration should end quickly

• people should not explore because of the danger

• exploration is good but must be realistic

• scientists might learn very little from space

Easterbrook admits that a manned exploration of Mars might bring:

• information about the moon

• insights into the human imagination

• items of immediate value to the nation

• discoveries about the history of the solar system

What evidence does Easterbrook use to support his idea that technology is unprepared for a manned Mars mission?

• Present systems for launching the required equipment into space are too expensive.

• Manned space telescopes and probes have found water on other planets.

• Lighter space stations would be easier for astronauts to take to Mars.

• Private expeditions have successfully explored other planets before.

What does Easterbrook say is the problem with spending taxpayer money for a manned Mars mission?

• Taxes generate too little money, and the government would have to borrow money.

• It is irresponsible to spend money for scientists to risk their lives to go to Mars.

• Earth’s priorities, such as poverty reduction and education, will lose money.

• People will stop paying taxes if their money funds a manned Mars mission.

Easterbrook responds to the criticism that people who oppose Mars exploration lack vision with the counterargument that:

• people on Earth are interested in the geological information available on Mars

• Mars will still be there when technology is ready to fund the mission inexpensively

• many scientists are too busy with automated probes to worry about manned missions

• every accomplishment in the space program has involved automated probes positioned on the moon

When Easterbrook says, “dreams must be tempered by realism,” he means that

• all scientists should explore space and their own priorities

• people should explore space, but they should also be realistic about priorities

• only those people who explore space can be realistic about priorities

• people who explore outer space are realistic about Earth’s priorities