Question

private space travel
by k. fletcher
space exploration will always be one of the greatest accomplishments in human history. it can be described as the continuous process of discovering new celestial data. space exploration involves sending out rockets and spacecrafts designed to fly outside earth to look for new data about space. these spacecrafts are mostly equipped with robots that record observations and collect various samples from space. space exploration is also carried out by astronauts training to travel into space. these astronauts then maneuver spacecrafts for various missions. nasa, the national aeronautics and space administration, has been carrying out these missions for several years for the united states.
nasa was founded on october 1, 1958, for the sole purpose of space exploration. nasa is a government - operated organization, which means any mission that nasa carries out is through governmental approval. when nasa discovers something new on its missions, it shares the data with the entire world. until a few years ago, space exploration was limited to only government agencies around the world. the u.s. communications satellite act of 1962 paved the way for private space

what is the central idea of the passage?
○ a. the only government organization to achieve a lot of accomplishments in space travel is nasa.
○ b. traveling to space is now possible because the government - founded nasa was established years ago.
○ c. space exploration was started by the government, but now private companies are taking over in this field, which might lead to exploitation of resources.
○ d. space exploration has many benefits like discovering new celestial bodies, but the cost of space travel is now higher because of private companies.

Explanation:

The passage first talks about space exploration, mentions NASA (a government - operated organization) and its role. Then it implies a shift as it says "until a few years ago, space exploration was limited to only government agencies" and the title is "Private Space Travel". Option C correctly captures the idea that space exploration started with the government (NASA) and now private companies are taking over (implied by the title and the context of the passage). Option A is too narrow as it only focuses on NASA. Option B is incorrect as it doesn't mention the private - sector aspect. Option D is wrong as the passage doesn't say the cost is higher because of private companies.

Answer:

C. Space exploration was started by the government, but now private companies are taking over in this field, which might lead to exploitation of resources.