Unit 21 Cheaper Access to Space 

Cheaper Access to Space

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The idea of reusable spaceplanes has been around since the beginning of the Space Age. 1. On March 30th, 2017, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched a geosynchronous communication satellite at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is partially reusable, with the first stage of the rocket capable of re-entering the atmosphere and landing back vertically after separating from the second stage. The first stage for this mission had previously supported a space station cargo resupply launch for NASA in 2016 and was later recovered. 2.

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Founded in 2002, SpaceX is the innovative and ambitious private aerospace manufacturer established by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, now its CEO and also CEO of Tesla Motors. Musk believes a fully and rapidly reusable rocket is a breakthrough in substantially reducing the cost of space access. Compared with most conventional rockets, which are designed to fly and burn up on reentry, Space X rockets can withstand reentry and land back on earth and fly again. Imagine that each new space rocket costs about the same as Falcon 9, but can fly multiple times and conduct tens of thousands of flights over its lifetime. 3.

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As reusable rockets could make space flights less expensive, they would occur more frequently, leading to more exhaust being released to the atmosphere. 4. They need to make the rocket’s fuel efficient before increasing the number of rockets being shot into space, as this creates a majority of the pollution during the launch process. While the emergence of reusable rockets may sound like exciting news, the implications of this new technology should be examined skeptically and without reckless eagerness.

AHowever, not until recent years have we really seen them take off.

BTo protect the environment from the impact of space exploration, it is necessary that SpaceX comes up with a solution.

CThis successful reflight of a recovered rocket represents a historic milestone on the road to full and rapid rocket reusability.

DFollowing this model, a rapidly reusable space launch vehicle could significantly reduce the cost of traveling to space by a hundredfold.

Words and Idioms

1. capable [`kepEbB] adj. 有能力的

With strong will and great leadership, Jenny is capable of leading the school team to final victory. 2. mission [` mISEn] n. 任務

My English teacher has always regarded it as her mission to help students learn English well. 3. cargo [`kFrgo] n. （輪船、飛機等大型交通工具裝載的）貨物

The company claims their ship unloaders are designed to transfer the cargos from ship to shore in the most efficient way. 4. recover [rI `kOvP] v. 1重新得到 2恢復健康

All of the four original paintings stolen from the gallery have finally been recovered. 5. ambitious [Am

`bISEs] adj. 有抱負的；志向遠大的 Victor has always had an ambitious dream of becoming a business entrepreneur.

6. establish [E ` stAblIS] v. 建立

Most of the budget will be used to establish new elementary schools in the remote areas. 7. substantially [sEb` stAnSElI] adv. 實質上

Many people can’t afford to buy a house since the housing prices have risen substantially for the past decade. 8. withstand [wIT` stAnd] v. 承受（三態：withstand-withstood-withstood）

The buildings are designed to withstand as much strong winds as possible in order to minimize damage to the structure.

9. exploration [cHksplE ` reSEn] n. 探索；探測

Scientists hope that data collected from the probe will pave the way for a more detailed exploration of Mars.

10. fuel [`fjUEl] n. 燃料

Almost all scientists agree that burning fossil fuels is contributing to climate change.

11. implication [cImplI `keSEn] n. 暗示；含意

The major implication of her report is that language teachers should be equipped with a multimedia classroom in order to teach effectively.

12. reckless [` rHklIs] adj. 魯莽的；輕率的

The truck driver was accused of causing an accident with heavy injuries by reckless driving.

Words for Recognition

★ geosynchronous communication satellite 地球同步通訊衛星 ★ NASA 美國國家航空暨太空總署 ★ vertically adv. 垂直地 ★ atmosphere n. 大氣層 ★ resupply n. 補給 ★ aerospace n. 航空航太工業的 ★ skeptically adv. 懷疑地 ★ emergence n. 出現

Vocabulary Exercises

I. Words in Context: Fill in each blank with a word or an idiom from the box. Change the word form if necessary.

ambitious mission fuel capable establish implication cargo withstand reckless exploration recover substantially

1. The reason why the entrepreneur is so successful is that he never makes any move even in the face of crisis. 2. So far, the police have only a very small portion of the stolen jewelry. 3. More than half the ship’s 100,000-ton of crude oil has already been spilled. 4. The coat was made of a strong fabric which can steam and high temperatures. 5. Bill Gates and his wife The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with part of the fund dedicated to programs concerning education, health and climate change. 6. The result of the election has a profound for the future relationship between the two countries. 7. There is no denying that space plays a significant role in human history. 8. To everyone’s surprise, Mike was of finishing the difficult task alone within three weeks.

II. Crossword Puzzle: Read the clues below and fill in the correct answers.

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9 5 2 3

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Down

1. a substance that is used to provide heat or power, usually by being bumed 2. doing something dangerous and not worrying about the risks and the possible results 3. able to do things effectively and skillfully 4. to be strong enough, or not be changed by something 5. the activity of searching and finding out about something 6. an important job, that someone is sent somewhere to do 8. the goods carried by a ship, aircraft, or other large vehicle

Across

2. to get back something lost or spent 7. having a strong wish to be successful, powerful, or rich 9. an occasion when you seem to suggest something without saying it directly