Track 17

Unit 7

Astronomy

Mission to Mars

Page 68

Talk about the topic

Parts A and B

As I see it, this whole idea of traveling to other planets and setting up colonies is based on the one big assumption.

What’s that? That we’ll actually come up with the technology to do it?

No, she’s making the assumption that earth is no longer going to be inhabitable someday. That we’ll have to start living on other planets. So why do assume that?

Well, you know, climate change pollution, overpopulation, war.

Exactly. And people keep living longer and longer so eventually we’re gonna have to go some where else. We won’t have a choice.

You guys are a bunch of fatalist.

Or realists.

No, no, come on. She’s also sad that, oh yeah, that humans have a desire to explore. You know, the human’s spirit of exploration.

Sure, I guess so.

So, does anyone want to review the lecture, the design of the spacecraft, the types of propulsion, any of that?

It’s kind of a hard lecture.

No, it’s not that hard. It’s just basic problem-solving. It’s not the rocket science.

Yes, it is rocket science.

Yeah, you’re right. It is.