Colonization of the asteroid belt

High school (ages 12+)
Space & Astronomy

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/colonization-of-the-asteroid-belt

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. How heavy is Colonization of the asteroid belt?Approximately 10^18 metric tonnes
2. What is the diameter of ceres?Approximately 940 kilometers (584 miles)
3. What is the key resources?Minerals (iron, nickel, platinum-group metals) and water ice
4. What is the asteroid belt and why could it be a good place for new homes?The asteroid belt is a big space area between Mars and Jupiter filled with millions of rocky bodies. It has a huge amount of material that could be turned into homes and factories.
5. Why would people want to live on asteroids?Living on asteroids could help keep humanity safe if Earth has big problems, and the rocks have valuable metals and water that we can use for building and fuel.

In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU): The practice of using local resources found in space to support human activities and settlements.
Orbital Mechanics: The study of the motion of celestial bodies under the influence of gravity.
Existential Risk: A risk that threatens the very existence of humanity or the long-term potential of intelligent life.
Propulsion Systems: Technologies used to accelerate spacecraft and generate thrust for space travel.