Question

while robotic explorers have studied mars for more than 40 years, nasas path for the human exploration of mars begins in low - earth orbit aboard the international space station. astronauts on the orbiting laboratory are helping us prove many of the technologies and communications systems needed for human missions to deep space, including mars. the space station also advances our understanding of how the body changes in space and how to protect astronaut health.
our next step is deep space, where nasa will send a robotic mission to capture and redirect an asteroid to orbit the moon. astronauts aboard the orion spacecraft will explore the asteroid in the 2020s, returning to earth with samples. this experience in human spaceflight beyond low - earth orbit will help nasa test new systems and capabilities, such as solar electric propulsion, which well need to send cargo as part of human missions to mars. in 2018, a powerful new rocket called the space launch system will launch for the first time from nasas kennedy space center in florida, kicking off a series of \proving ground\ missions to test new capabilities. this first flight, currently designated exploration mission - 1 (em - 1) will carry orion (without astronauts) thousands of miles beyond the moon during an approximately three - week mission.
a fleet of robotic spacecraft and rovers already are on and around mars, dramatically increasing our knowledge about the red planet
5
how does the authors discussion of conditions on mars in paragraph 2 relate to other ideas in the passage?
○a. it explains why space missions to mars might be unsuccessful.
○b. it establishes the purpose behind attempting space missions to mars.
○c. it describes nasas previous attempts to check for signs of life on mars.
○d. it emphasizes the need for better technology to explore mars.

Explanation:

The passage discusses how NASA is using the International Space Station to prove technologies and understand astronaut health for deep - space missions (including Mars). The mention of conditions on Mars in paragraph 2 (assuming it's about the challenges like the need for certain technologies) would relate to emphasizing the need for better technology. For example, if Mars has harsh conditions, better propulsion (like Solar Electric Propulsion mentioned) and other systems (tested in low - Earth orbit and deep - space "proving ground" missions) are needed.

Answer:

D. It emphasizes the need for better technology to explore Mars.