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Space colonization
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Space colonization Infographic depicting the Space Race between the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. from 1957 to 1969, with a central rocket illustration and milestone achievements listed on either side. Soviet milestones on the left include the first artificial satellite, first animal in space, first human in orbit, and first woman in space. U.S. milestones on the right include the first American in orbit, first American spacewalk, first docking in space, and the first humans landing on the Moon. The timeline highlights ke
The video thumbnail image shows an astronaut in space.
Artist's illustration of a futuristic human colony on Mars, showing dome-shaped buildings on a red dusty plain with mountains and a moon in the background. Sir Richard Branson smiling, seated indoors against a light-colored wall, wearing a dark shirt. Dennis Tito Shuttleworth, Mark Gregory Olsen Anousheh Ansari Soyuz
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Space colonization

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Discussion questions

  1. Should humans colonize space? Why or why not?
  2. If humans were to colonize space, where should we start: Mars, Earth’s Moon, or another celestial body? And what form should the colonization take: residences, industrialization, or another purpose? Explain your answer(s).
  3. If humans were to colonize space, how could life on Earth change? And would these changes be good or bad? Explain your answer(s).
  4. What questions do you have after reading the debate above? Where might you find answers?
  5. What was the most interesting thing you learned from this debate?
  6. Consider how you felt about the issue before reading this article. After reading the pros and cons on this topic, has your thinking changed? How and why?. If your thoughts have not changed, explain how and why you better understand the other side of the debate.
  7. Push for the position and policies you support by writing local officials, U.S. senators and representatives, or other people in a position to make the change you champion.

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