Space colonization

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/space-colonization

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 primary drivers?Ensuring species survival through multiplanetary existence and accessing vast extraterrestrial resources
2. What is the leading private sector advocate?SpaceX, with stated goals of Mars colonization
3. Why do people want to colonize Mars?Mars is close to Earth and has resources that could help us survive if Earth had a big disaster. Scientists and companies think living on Mars could keep humanity safe and give us new materials.
4. How can we live on the Moon or Mars?We would need closed‑loop life support, protection from radiation, and ways to use local materials to build homes and grow food. Robots and special machines would help build and maintain the colony.

Extraterrestrial Settlement: The establishment of permanent human communities on planets, moons, or asteroids beyond Earth.
Multiplanetary Species: A species capable of sustaining populations on more than one celestial body, enhancing long-term survival prospects.
In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU): The practice of using local resources found on other planets or moons to support human settlements.
Outer Space Treaty: An international agreement prohibiting national appropriation of celestial bodies and declaring space the 'common heritage of mankind'.