R2 Robot Astronaut

 What is R2’s main job on the International Space Station?

• To take astronauts’ places on space missions

• To perform tasks like cleaning and inventory so astronauts can focus on science

• To travel to other planets on its own

•  To make tools for astronauts

Based on the passage, how do humanoid robots like R2 benefit astronauts on the International Space Station? Use specific details from the text to support your answer.

Match each characteristic of R2 to the text evidence it describes.

• Human-like design

• "R2 has arms and a head - filled with vision equipment - but no legs"

• Independent worker

• "R2 can be assigned a task and then check on periodically."

• Can do repetitive tasks

• "This will give astronauts more time to focus on more complex and interesting aspects of science and exploration."

• Help astronauts save time

• "The robot is designed to handle mundane tasks like tracking inventory, cleaning equipment, and taking atmospheric readings."

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Select two sentences that explain how R2 helps astronauts on space missions.

• "R2 was first launched into space on February 24, 2011."

• "R2’s hands are shaped like human hands, so it can use human tools to complete tasks."

• "One advantage of working with R2 will be that it can’t complain about its work!"

• "Right now, humanoid robots do not have the protective gear or equipment needed to work outside the space station."

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Part A: How is R2 different from humans on space missions?

• R2 can perform tasks that are too difficult for astronauts.

• R2 works without needing breaks or complaining.

• R2 can explore planets alone.

• R2 is only used for taking inventory.

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Part B: Which sentence from the passage best supports your answer to Part A?

• "R2 weighs 330 pounds and costs $2.5 million to build."

• "If Robonaut can provide just an hour’s worth of relief to the crew doing something they don’t want to do, that would make it worth it."

• "R2 is still in the design stage of development, which means that scientists are frequently testing it and looking for ways to improve it."

• "R2 can be assigned a task and then checked on periodically."

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Place the following events in the correct order based on the passage. Number them 1 to 4.

​ ​ (a)   NASA and General Motors build R2.

​ (b)   R2 starts performing tasks for astronauts.

​ (c)   Engineers start working on legs for R2.

​ (d)   R2 was first launched into space

• 1.
• 3.
• 4.
• 2.

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The author wrote this article most likely to —

• share the history of the International Space Station

• persuade people to learn about the International Space Station

• provide information about a new tool used on the International Space Station

• describe some of the dangers on the International Space Station

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The details in paragraph 5 support the main idea that R2's design —

• helps it accomplish certain kinds of tasks

• took years for scientists to plan

• causes it to be too heavy to complete certain tasks

• works better in space than in a factory

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Which text feature provides information about R2’s abilities?

• The subheadings

• The title of the article

• The caption of the first photograph

• The caption of the second photograph

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