Colonization of the Solar System

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-solar-system

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. What is the major ethical considerations?Planetary protection, governance, resource rights, and the psychological well-being of colonists
2. What does it mean to colonize the Solar System?It means building homes, farms, and work places on other planets and moons so people can live there, not just visit.
3. Why would humans want to live on Mars or the Moon?Living on other worlds helps keep our species safe if something bad happens on Earth, and it lets us learn new science and use new resources.

Planetary Protection: Protocols to prevent biological contamination of other celestial bodies and Earth from extraterrestrial sources.
Closed-loop life support: Systems that recycle air, water, and waste to sustain life with minimal external input.
Interplanetary travel: The movement of spacecraft between different planets within a solar system.