Question

adapted from journey to mars overview by nasa
nasa is developing the capabilities needed to send humans to an asteroid by the mid - 2020s and to mars in the 2030s - goals outlined in the bipartisan 1 nasa authorization act of 2010 and in the u.s. national space policy, also issued in 2010.
mars is a rich destination for scientific discovery and robotic and human exploration as we expand our presence into the solar system. its formation and evolution are comparable to earth, helping us learn more about our own planets history and future. mars had conditions suitable for life in its past. future exploration could uncover evidence of life, answering one of the fundamental mysteries of the cosmos: does life exist beyond earth?
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
what connection can be made between nasas plan to explore an asteroid in the 2020s and its plan to undertake human missions to mars?
○a. the asteroid mission will allow nasa to test new technology that will be used in the mars missions
○b. the asteroid mission will help nasa gather more information about the surface conditions on mars
○c. the asteroid mission will prepare astronauts to deal with the conditions on mars
○d. the asteroid mission will reduce the time needed to plan human missions to mars
session score: 50% (2/4)

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• Option A: The text says "This experience in human spaceflight beyond low - Earth orbit will help NASA test new systems and capabilities, such as Solar Electric Propulsion, which we'll need to send cargo as part of human missions to Mars." So the asteroid mission (capturing/redirecting an asteroid) in the 2020s will help test technology for Mars missions.
• Option B: The passage does not mention the asteroid mission gathering more info about Mars' surface conditions.
• Option C: There's no indication the asteroid mission is for preparing astronauts for Mars conditions.
• Option D: The passage doesn't say the asteroid mission reduces time for planning Mars missions.

Answer:

A. The asteroid mission will allow NASA to test new technology that will be used in the Mars missions