02. Why do people send robots deep into space instead of themselves? (A K2S Question)

From The Space Library

Space is a very dangerous place for humans. The temperatures on uncoated metal structures in space can reach 500° F in constant Sun. When coated, these surface temperatures typically range between 250° F to -200° F depending on whether the structures are in the Sun or behind a planet. Also, there is no oxygen in space, so humans can't breathe. Additionally, the radiation from the Sun is very harmful to humans and robots, but robots can be built to be protected from radiation. If humans are unprotected, the radiation would seriously burn or kill them within minutes. Finally, robots don't need food to eat. They only need sunshine to keep their batteries charged. If a robot is lost or destroyed it is a terrible loss of money, but it is only money. Launching humans is much riskier, and if a person is lost it is a tragedy.

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Answer provided by CAF Capt. Marc Fricker

Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer

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