Cynthia Vaskis

SLM521 Spring 2004

Web Quest Assignment – Part 3

4/21/04

File: webquep3.htm

 

Web Quest Part 3 – Robots in Future Space Exploration

 

 

Process Part 3 – Individual student will review the web sites below (half an hour) and then the class holds small student group discussions to answer the questions above.  Since there are so many sites the teacher may want to assign different ones to different students to review with a small group.

 

The student will seek out the signs of where robots might be used in the future as deep space explorers (to Mars and beyond), as Moon habitat companions and workers, and the possibility of U.S. military robotic armies.  The student becomes familiar with the government’s (President Bush’s and NASA’s) plans for robotic space exploration and in particular future missions to the Moon with humans and robots as well as continuing to explore Mars.  Have the students hold a group discussion about whether the country should proceed in this direction or not after they have each completed this part.

 

Here are some questions to consider and discuss with your class after reading the materials listed in the web sites below.

 

1.  What does Bush plan to do with robots and Moon missions?

 

 

 

2.  Should we support the military using robotic armies?

 

 

 

3.  Do you think robots will be sent to orbit to control the planned weapons in space?

 

 

 

4.  How would you voice your opinion?  Write to your Senator and tell him/her your concerns.

 

 

 

Bush’s Plans for the Future Space Exploration

 

Bush’ plans for robotic and human space exploration – Bush’s plan for both robotic and human deep space exploration.

http://www.opinioneditorials.com/freedomwriters/esq._20040408.html

 

Funding Soars for Technology in U.S. Budget but at What Cost

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20040331005461&newsLang=en

 

Universe Today - Lawmakers Express Concerns Over Bush Initiative

http://www.universetoday.com/am/publish/lawmakers_concerns_bush_initiative.html?1132004

 

Budget of the United States Government Browse Fiscal Year 2005

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/usbudget/fy05/browse.html

 

NASA - NASA's Future Exploration and Discovery

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/solarsystem/explore_main.html

 

Budget of the United States Government Browse Fiscal Year 2005

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/usbudget/fy05/browse.html

 

NASA - President's Commission on Moon, Mars and Beyond

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/solarsystem/aldridge_commission.html

 

Lunar Rover Initiative

http://www.frc.ri.cmu.edu/projects/lri/

                            

NASA - Executive Order Creating the Presidential Commission on Implementation of United States Space Exploration Policy

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/solarsystem/aldridge_executive_order.html

 

Future Robotic Military

 

Bush’s plans for robots in the military – Read about Bush’s plan for robotic military personnel in the future.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/FD10Aa01.html

 

Cybernet – Future Defense systems

http://www.cybernet.com/products/index.html#defense

 

Additional News and Media sites for space exploration information and current events

 

NASA in the News – The Vision for Space Exploration

http://www.nasa.gov/missions/solarsystem/explore_main.html

NASA planning steps to moon, Mars - (United Press International)

http://www.robotbooks.com/battlebots.htm

NASA Planning Steps To Moon, Mars

http://www.spacedaily.com/news/nasa-04h.html

USATODAY.com - NASA goes lunar Robot craft, human outpost plans

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2004-03-04-lunar-outposts_x.htm

Bush's new focus forces Langley, other NASA offices to shift gears (HamptonRoads.com-Pilot Online)

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=65130&ran=85516

VOANews.com

http://www.voanews.com/article.cfm?ObjectID=5DCED3B4-DFE7-4C81-85D8203B97E66D9E&Title=Mars%20Rovers%20Still%20Working%20Hard&db=voa

NASA planning steps to moon, Mars - (United Press International)

http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040227-020000-7936r.htm

Carnegie Mellon University robotic seminar

http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/project/ri-seminar/www/2004.January.23.html

CNN.com - Private space race nears finish line - Mar 29, 2004

http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/space/03/29/space.prize.ap.ap/index.html