To accompany ‘The next astronauts to walk the moon will be more diverse than the last‘

SCIENCE

Before Reading:

1)  Look through NASA’s basic requirements for applying to be an astronaut. What educational and work experience do astronauts need to have? Why do you think those requirements exist?

2)  What physical requirements does NASA have for its astronauts? Why do you think those requirements exist? What might be gained or lost by changing those requirements?

During Reading:

1)  How are the goals of Artemis missions different from those of Apollo missions?

2)  How many active astronauts does NASA have? How many of them are women?

3)  How does NASA define “astronaut”?

4)  Why will the Artemis III mission go to the lunar south pole?

5)  Why is it so important for future astronauts to be team players?

6)  From 1995 to 2021, what was the maximum amount of radiation an astronaut could receive over the course of their career? How was that limit different for men and women? What are the limits now?

7)  What new technology could better protect astronauts from space radiation?

8)  What is AstroAccess?

9)  What did Sheri Wells-Jensen say she learned on a weightless flight?

10)  Why does Wells-Jensen say that learning how disabled people behave in space could help all astronauts?

After Reading:

1)  Look through some of the bios of NASA’s current astronauts. If you had to pick three to go on the next mission to the moon, who would you pick, and why? Consider factors like astronauts’ different areas of expertise, what these astronauts would do on the moon and how they might represent the diversity of people in the United States.