Space Travel
A) People have always dreamed of leaving planet Earth and exploring outer space.
Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, was launched in 1957. A human being went into space
in 1961. Nowadays, aided by huge technological advancements, astronauts spend up to
a year on orbiting space stations and robotic explorers have visited nearly all the planets
in our solar system.
B) The first challenge of space exploration was developing rockets powerful enough to
escape Earth's gravity, with guidance systems reliable enough to reach their
destinations. The next was constructing lightweight, durable satellites and maintaining
radio communication with them. Exceptionally high standards of reliability in
manufacturing and testing are necessary and a number of product innovations in daily
use are a result of attempts to solve specific logistical problems connected with life in
space.
C) In addition to overcoming the challenges of no atmosphere, extremes of temperature
and cosmic radiation, it was necessary to develop tools and techniques for space
navigation, scientific observations and experiments and coping with incidental crises as
they arose. The Apollo program, which in 1969 sent astronauts to the Moon and back,
was a huge achievement watched globally by millions on (pre satellite) TV, although
some have subsequently claimed that the whole spectacle was an elaborate hoax.
D) Emphasis then shifted to maximizing efficiency and comfort during long-term stays on
space stations and developing reusable spacecraft. The latter resulted in the space
shuttle fleet but encountered a major setback when the U.S. spaceship Challenger
exploded shortly after takeoff in 1986.
E) A great advantage of putting satellites into space is the ability to look back at Earth
(Landsat1 went into polar orbit in 1972). Large-scale photos enable observation of land
masses, oceans and weather patterns, remote regions can be mapped in detail and
electromagnetic cameras return a wealth of useful data, for example infrared images
which allow researchers to discriminate between healthy crops and diseased ones.
F) Objects such as stars emit electromagnetic radiation, different wavelengths of which
provide scientists with various types of information about the universe. Infrared radiation
reveals objects that are not hot enough to emit visible light, such as dust clouds. X rays
can indicate extremely high temperatures caused by violent collisions or other events.
Earth's atmosphere absorbs high-energy radiation in order for life to exist on the planet,
but it also hides many celestial objects from ground-based telescopes. Satellite data has
enabled the first cosmic map and discovered further evidence for the 'Big Bang' theory of
the origin of the universe. The Hubble telescope, sent into orbit in 1990, provides
astronomers with spectacularly detailed images of space. Satellites are used for political
reasons too: the classified 'keyhole' system is reported to be able to read a car licence
plate from 100 miles in orbit, while military uses include detection of missiles and nuclear
weapons and the development of the Global Positioning System, extensively used for
navigation.
G) The future of space exploration depends on many factors: technological evolution,
political rivalries and partnerships between nations, and public attitudes to continuing
costly space exploration. Human spaceflight in Earth's orbit and unpiloted spaceflight
within the solar system will continue. Piloted spaceflight to other planets or any flight to
other solar systems remains distant, but advances in space technology could take space
exploration into the areas of contemporary science fiction. Despite all this, the Apollo
astronauts claimed that their personal greatest discovery from the Moon voyages was an
increased spiritual awareness of planet Earth as a small but beautiful oasis of life in an
essentially empty and impersonal universe.
Complete the gaps with a suitable word from the list.
technology satellites launch exploration climate
comprehensio political opinion extrapolatio aware
n n
spacecraft advance discovere navigation spinoff
s d s
The Space Age began in the second half of the twentieth century, with the Moon
landings and the subsequent development of (1) of reaching other planets
and (2) advanced enough to maintain contact with them, as well as relaying a wide
array of data regarding our solar system and the Earth as seen from it. Other useful (3)
of space satellite research include a precise (4) system for shipping and satellite TV
and radio broadcasting.
Further space (5) in the 21st century is dependent on factors such as further (6)
in (7) , a stable global (8) situation and public (9) . Aside from the scientific and
technical aspects, space exploration can make humans more (10) of their spiritual
nature, as well as our ultimate insignificance in the vast beauty of the cosmos.
