List of Headings
- i A re-evaluation of robots
- ii The barriers to cooperation in space exploration
- iii The limitations of robots in space
- iv Reduced expectations for space exploration
- v A general reconsideration of human and robot responsibilities in space
- vi Problems in using humans for space explorations
- vii The danger to humans of intelligent machines
- viii Space settlement and the development of greater self-awareness
- ix Possible examples of cooperation in space
Questions 1-5
Drag a heading to each paragraph.
1. There is no doubt that the presence of people on board a space vehicle makes its design much more complex and challenging, and produces a large increase in costs, since safety requirements are greatly increased, and the performance of the technology providing necessities for human passengers such as oxygen, food and water must be guaranteed.
2. Robots lack the ability to perform a great variety of tasks. In addition, they are not good at reacting to situations they have not been specifically prepared for.
3. In the past it was confidently predicted that we would soon have fully automated factories in which all operations were performed without any human intervention, and forecasts which made of the complete substitution of workers by robots in many production areas were made. Today, these perspectives are being revised.
4. Many operations of space explorations originally designed to be performed under completely automatic control can be performed more efficiently by astronauts, perhaps helped by their 鈥榗obots鈥? The human-machine relationship must evolve towards a closer collaboration.
5. The aim for humankind in the future will be not just exploration of space, but its colonisation. The result of exploring and living in space may be a deep change in the views which humankind has of itself.