TPO 52 Integrated Writing

The passage lists three reasons to support the idea that asteroids are the best colonization option: low gravity, valuable metals, and easy to reach. However, the speaker in the listening says that these reasons have downsides and opposes the advantages presented in the passage.

First of all, the author claims that low gravity can make a spaceship land safely, allow it to carry more payload, and need less fuel for the return trip to Earth. Nonetheless, the speaker points out that low gravity presents risks. Astronauts will lose their muscle, and the bone density will decrease significantly. Moreover, these issues already happened in the ordinary space mission, causing health problems to those astronauts.

Secondly, the author indicates that mining valuable metals on asteroids can be extremely profitable on Earth. However, as the speaker explains, the cost of the mining may be considerably high and reduce the profit drastically. Furthermore, when the supply increase, as raw materials from asteroids bringing back to Earth, the large quantity of rare metal will make the price slump.

Finally, the reading content says that asteroids are a favorable option for colonization because some are even closer to Earth than our Moon; it will be more affordable to reach them and get back. Nevertheless, the speaker indicates some flaws in the statement. The orbit of asteroids are unusual and variable; it may be closer to Earth when approaching us yet be far from Earth when leaving us. The total distance maybe even much more than from Earth to Mars.

Word count: 253