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Microgravity: living on the International Space Station
Microgravity: living on the International Space Station

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2 How much does space exploration cost NASA?

Obviously, there is more to spending in space than the ISS. Figure 2 shows the costs to NASA of spending on space exploration for each year from the financial year (FY) 2004 up to the financial year (FY) 2020, known as ‘Obama’s NASA dilemma’ for the period 2009 and beyond.

Described image
Figure 2 The cost of space exploration

Now use Figure 2 to complete Activity 2.

Activity 2 The cost of space exploration to NASA

Timing: Allow approximately 10 minutes

Choose the correct answer to each of the following questions.

a. 

aeronautics and other science activities


b. 

exploration missions


c. 

crew exploration vehicle


d. 

human/robotic technology


e. 

shuttle


The correct answer is e.

a. 

aeronautics and other science activities


b. 

exploration missions


c. 

crew exploration vehicle


d. 

human/robotic technology


e. 

shuttle


The correct answer is b.

a. 

2009


b. 

2012


c. 

2015


d. 

2017


e. 

2020


The correct answer is d.

You will now look at the cost of space exploration for a country, in this case the USA.