Leaving Main Street MyPerspective

Paragraph 1: "In July, 2015, the world watched in awe as close-up photographs of Pluto streamed back to Earth from three billion miles away. The spacecraft New Horizons had traveled nine years to study the dwarf planet at the edge of our solar system."

What event occurred in July 2015 that captured the world's attention?

• The discovery of tectonic plates on Pluto.

• The launch of the New Horizons spacecraft.

• The transmission of close-up photographs of Pluto to Earth.

• The detection of volcanic activity on Pluto.

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Paragraph 2: "As a result of the mission, scientists discovered that Pluto is not just a giant ball of ice. It has a molten core, tectonic plates, and volcanic activity, just as Earth does. It may even support some form of life. The New Horizons mission has been hailed as a triumph of human ingenuity, and a huge leap forward for the future of space exploration."

2. What did scientists discover about Pluto as a result of the New Horizons mission?

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Paragraph 3: "Yet it almost didn’t happen. The mission had to overcome some serious challenges before it could get underway—such as repeated threats to defund it."

3. What challenge did the New Horizons mission face before it could begin?

• Technical malfunctions of the spacecraft.

• Opposition from other space agencies.

• Lack of public interest in space exploration.

• Threats to defund the mission.

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"There have always been naysayers who’ve questioned the need for space exploration. The argument goes that the United States has more important things to spend its money on, such as ending hunger and poverty."

1. What is the main argument of the naysayers mentioned in paragraph 4?

• 1. Space exploration is essential for national security.

• 1. The United States should prioritize funding space exploration.

• 1. There are more pressing issues, such as poverty and hunger, that deserve funding.

• 1. Space exploration contributes significantly to scientific knowledge.

Paragraph 5: "Others argue that a successful space program adds to our national prestige, helps the economy, creates jobs, and improves national security. It inspires students to pursue innovative projects and careers in science and technology. At a cost of six-tenths of a percent of the federal budget, it’s well worth the price: The cost of exploration is vastly outweighed by the idea of extending humankind’s sphere of influence to outer space."

2. According to paragraph 5, what are some arguments in favor of space exploration?

• It diverts resources from more pressing issues.

• It contributes to national prestige and inspires innovation.

• It is a waste of money with little practical benefit.

• It has no impact on the economy or job creation.

Paragraph 6: "But these are not the real reasons for continuing the space program, says Michael Griffin in Air & Space Magazine. Griffin makes the point that people go to space for reasons that are not necessarily logical. In other words, money doesn’t have much to do with it. “When we contemplate committing large sums of money to a project, we tend to dismiss reasons that are emotional or value-driven,” Griffin says. He goes on to say that Americans need the prospect of exploring space."

3. According to Michael Griffin, what are the real reasons for continuing the space program?

• Economic benefits and job creation.

• Emotional and value-driven reasons.

• National security concerns.

• Scientific discovery and technological advancement.

1. In paragraph 7, the text discusses the idea that humans are hardwired to explore space. How does the author support this assertion, and what implications does this have for our understanding of human nature and exploration?

1. Paragraph 8 mentions that humans have a natural curiosity about exploring new places. How does this innate curiosity drive human exploration, and how does it relate to broader concepts such as scientific discovery and human progress?

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1. Michael Griffin argues in paragraph 10 that the real reasons for continuing the space program are not necessarily logical or economic. How does he support this claim, and what implications does it have for how we understand the motivations behind space exploration?

1. In paragraph 11, the text discusses the role of NASA's space program in inspiring competition and innovation. How has the space program historically fostered innovation, and what lessons can be drawn from this for future endeavors in space exploration?