Question

Astronauts can use 3D and molecular printers for shelter construction and food preparation on site instead of having to carry the materials to mission sites, thus A. lowering the long-run average cost of exploring the solar system, but increasing labor costs. B. lowering the long-run average cost of exploring the solar system, but increasing material costs. C. increasing the number of required rocket missions and thereby reducing the long-run average cost of exploring the solar system D. reducing the number of required rocket missions and thereby reducing the long-run average cost of exploring the solar system.

Answer 1

Answer:

D. reducing the number of required rocket missions and thereby reducing the long-run average cost of exploring the solar system.

Explanation:

As you can see in the question above, the use of a 3D printer by astronauts can reduce the number of rocket emissions to transport equipment, parts for the repair of stations, food, construction of space bases, among others. This would be a great economic advantage for the laboratories, because it would allow reducing the number of rocket missions (which are extremely expensive) needed and thus reducing the average long-term cost of exploring the solar system.

A 3D printer is capable of printing a large number of parts and equipment at once, with an exact amount of raw material for that. This reduces material costs, in addition to avoiding waste of raw material.