2. How did European explorers lead to an early form of globalization? 3. How did sailors and early astronomers help each other out?

4. Why would the Moon make a better place than Earth from which to launch a mission to Mars?

5. What will be the focus of the American research effort on the International Space Station?

6. Is it possible to send astronauts to Mars? What do people say is the main constraint?

7. NASA’s budget accounts for what share of overall US federal spending? What has the peak been since 1975?

8. Identify two types of consumer goods on which the American people spend more annually than they do on NASA’s budget.

9. How does space exploration encourage the study of science and technology?

10. How do technologies such as the personal computer or the cell phone lead to economic growth?

11. How is MRI technology a byproduct of the space program?

12. Explain what you think would happen if the United States stopped
exploring space while other nations continued to do so.