The first human spaceflight was undertaken on April 12, 1961, when cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin made one orbit around the Earth aboard the Vostok 1 spacecraft launched by the Soviet Union. Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space on board Vostok 6 on June 16, 1963. Both spacecraft were launched by Vostok 3 launch vehicles. Alexei Leonov made the first spacewalk when he left the Voskhod 2 on March 8, 1965. Svetlana Savitskaya became the first woman to do so on July 25, 1984.
The United States became the second nation to achieve manned spaceflight with the suborbital flight of astronaut Alan Shepard aboard Freedom 7, carried out as part of Project Mercury. The spacecraft was launched on May 5, 1961 on a Redstone rocket. The first U.S. orbital flight was that of John Glenn aboard Friendship 7, which was launched on February 20, 1962 on an Atlas rocket. Since April 12, 1981 the U.S. has conducted all its human spaceflight missions with reusable Space Shuttles. Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983. Eileen Collins was the first female Shuttle pilot, and with Shuttle mission STS-93 in July of 1999 she became the first woman to command a U.S. spacecraft.
The People's Republic of China became the third nation with human spaceflight when astronaut Yang Liwei was launched into space on a Chinese-made vehicle, the Shenzhou 5, on October 15, 2003. This flight made China the third nation capable of launching its own manned spacecraft using its own launcher. Previous European (Hermes) and Japanese (HOPE-X) domestic manned programs were abandoned after years of development, as was the first Chinese attempt, the Shuguang spacecraft. In 1989, Iraq declared its intent to develop manned space facilities, but these plans were soon abandoned.
The furthest destination for a human spaceflight mission has been the Moon, and as of 2007 the only missions to the Moon have been those conducted by NASA as part of the Apollo program. The first such mission, Apollo 8, orbited the Moon but did not land. The first Moon landing mission was Apollo 11, during which - on July 20, 1969 - Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the Moon. Six missions landed in total, numbered Apollo 11–17, excluding Apollo 13. Altogether twelve men reached the Moon's surface, the only humans to have been on an extraterrestrial body. The Soviet Union discontinued its program for lunar orbiting and landing of human spaceflight missions on June 24, 1974 when Valentin Glushko became General Designer of NPO Energiya.
For many years beginning in 1961, only two countries, the USSR (later Russia) and United States, had their own astronauts. Later, cosmonauts and astronauts from other nations flew in space, beginning with the flight of Vladimir Remek, a Czech, on a Soviet spacecraft on March 2, 1978. As of 2007, citizens from 33 nations (including space tourists) have flown in space aboard Soviet, American, Russian, and Chinese spacecraft.
Topical vocabulary
undertake – предпринять
launch – запускать
launch vehicle – пусковая платформа
spacewalk – выход в открытый космос
achieve – успешно осуществить
manned – пилотируемый
suborbital – суборбитальный
carry out – осуществлять
orbital – орбитальный
conduct – проводить, осуществлять
reusable – многоразовый
female pilot – женщина-пилот
command – управлять
capable – способный
previous – предыдущий
domestic – национальный
abandon – прекращать, оставлять
intent – намерение
facility – устройство
orbit – совершать полет по орбите
land – приземляться
set foot on – ступить
surface – поверхность
extraterrestrial – космический
discontinue – прекратить
lunar – лунный
Comprehension task
I. Read the word combinations and translate them into Russian:
to achieve manned spaceflight, to launch a spacecraft, to declare an intent, to reach the Moon's surface, to undertake a spaceflight, to make a spacewalk, suborbital flight, orbital flight, to conduct a mission, an extraterrestrial body, to fly aboard, to command a spacecraft, to abandon a plan, to discontinue a program, to orbit the Moon, to make an orbit, to develop space facilities.
II. Make up the word combinations:
| 1. lunar 2. human 3. orbital 4. spaceflight 5. launch 6. reusable 7. domestic 8. space 9. extraterrestrial 10. to abandon | a. facilities b. vehicle c. flight d. plan e. shuttle f. body g. program h. spaceflight i. mission j. orbiting |
III. Fill in the missing words (to command, launcher, orbited, to set foot, spacewalk):
1. Alexei Leonov was the first person to make ….
2. China was the third nation capable of launching its own manned spacecraft using its own ….
3. Apollo 8 … the Moon but did not land.
4. Eileen Collins was the first woman … a U.S. spacecraft.
5. Neil Armstrong was the first person … on the Moon.
IV. Find synonyms in the list of words
Country, space rocket, to orbit, intent, effort, domestic, to launch, to control, astronaut, to circle, to carry out, national, spacecraft, attempt, to discontinue, cosmonaut, purpose, to conduct, nation, to release, to command, to abandon.
V. Find antonyms in the list of words
to fail, to continue, unmanned, female, extraterrestrial, exclude, foreign, to take off, to abandon, next, terrestrial, male, to achieve, domestic, to land, manned, previous, include.
VI. Agree or disagree with the following statements
1. The first human spaceflight was undertaken by the Americans.
2. The first spacewalk was made by Valentina Tereshkova.
3. Eileen Collins was the first female Shuttle pilot.
4. Only Russia, the USA and Iraq are capable of launching their own manned spacecraft using its own launcher.
5. Altogether twelve men have been on an extraterrestrial body.
VII. Match the questions with the answers
1. Who was the first woman in space?
2. What spacecraft made the first US orbital flight?
3. Did people manage to land on the Moon?
4. What unites China, the USA and Russia?
5. How has the U.S. conducted all its human spaceflight missions?
a. They are capable of launching their own manned spacecraft using its own launcher.
b. It was Friendship 7.
c. They have been conducted with reusable Space Shuttles.
d. Yes, it happened in 1969.
e. Valentina Tereshkova.
VIII. Answer the questions
1. What do you know about the first human spaceflight?
2. How did Russian woman contribute in the development of spaceflights?
3. In what areas were the Americans the first?
4. What other countries developed spaceflights?
5. What are the international achievements in the exploration of the Moon?
6. Only three countries are capable of launching their own spacecrafts. How can astronauts from different countries fly into the space?
UNIT IV
Text
The History of Aviation
Many cultures have built devices that travel through the air, from earliest projectiles such as stones and spears, to more sophisticated buoyant or aerodynamic devices such as the boomerang in Australia, and kites. There are early legends of human flight such as the story of Icarus, and latter, more credible claims of short-distance human flights including a kite flight by Yuan Huangtou in China.
The modern age of aviation began with the first flight on November 21, 1783, in a hot air balloon designed by the Montgolfier brothers.
The practicality of balloons was limited because they could only travel downwind. It was immediately recognized that a steerable or dirigible balloon was required. Although several airships were built during the 1800s, the first aircraft to make routine flights were made by the Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont effectively combined an elongated balloon with an internal combustion engine. On October 19, 1901 he became world famous when he flew his airship “Number 6” over Paris to win the Deutch de la Meurthe prize. Santos-Dumont’s success with airships proved that controlled and sustained flight was possible.
On December 17, 1903, the Wright brothers flew the first fully-documented, successful powered, heavier-than-air flight, though their aircraft was impractical to fly for more than a short distance because of control problems. The widespread adoption of ailerons much easier to manage, and only a decade later, at the start of World War I, heavier-than-air powered aircraft had become practical for reconnaissance, artillery spotting and even attacks from the ground positions.
Aircraft began to transport people and cargo as designs grew larger and more reliable. In contrast to small non-rigid blimps, giant rigid airships became the first aircraft to transport passengers and cargo over the great distances. The best known aircraft of this type were manufactured by the German Zeppelin company. The “Golden Age” of the airships ended on June 6, 1937, when Hindenburg caught fire killing 36 people.
Great progress in the field of aviation was made during the 1920s and 1930s. One of the most successful designs of this period was the Douglas DC-3 which became the first airliner that was profitable carrying passengers exclusively, stating the model era of passenger airline service. By the beginning of World War II, many towns and cities had built airports, and there were numerous qualified pilots available. The war brought many innovations to aviation, including the first jet aircraft and the first liquid-fueled rockets.
After the WWII, especially in North America, there was a boom in general aviation, both private and commercial. Manufactures such as Cessna, Piper and Beechraft expanded production to provide light aircraft for the new middle class aircraft market. By the 1950s the development of civil jets grew. At the same time turbojet propulsion began to appear for smaller commuter planes, making it possible to serve small-volume routes on a much wider range of weather conditions.
Since 1960s composite airframes and quieter more efficient engines have become available but the most important innovations have taken place in instrumentation and control. The arrival of solid-state electronics, the Global Positioning System, satellite communications, and increasingly small and powerful computers led displays have dramatically changed the cockpits of airliners and increasingly of smaller aircraft as well. Pilots can navigate much more accurately and view terrain, obstructions and other nearby aircraft on a map or through synthetic vision even at night or at low visibility.
Topical vocabulary
projectiles - летящие предметы
spear – копье, дротик
buoyant - способный держаться на поверхности
credible - правдоподобный
claim - заявление
air balloon - воздушный шар
downwind - по ветру
steerable - управляемый
dirigible - дирижабль
elongated - продолговатый
sustained – продолжительный
internal combustion engine – двигатель внутреннего сгорания
widespread - широко распространенный
aileron – элерон
reconnaissance - разведка
spotting - установление местонахождения
cargo - груз
rigid - жесткий
blimp - малый дирижабль мягкой системы
profitable - полезный, благоприятный
jet - реактивный
liquid-fueled - жидкотопливный
expand - расширять
turbojet - турбореактивный двигатель
propulsion - ракетный двигатель
airframe - корпус летательного аппарата
cockpit - кабина экипажа
navigate - управлять самолетом
obstruction - затруднение движения
visibility - видимость
solid-state - полупроводниковый
Comprehension task
I. Read the word combinations and translate them into Russian
Earliest projectiles, sophisticated buoyant, aerodynamic devices, human flight, more credible claims, short-distance human flights, hot air balloon, steerable or dirigible balloon, routine flights, elongated balloon, internal combustion engine, controlled and sustained flight, heavier-than-air flight, adoption of ailerons, artillery spotting, ground positions, non-rigid blimps, first jet aircraft, liquid-fueled rockets, civil jets, turbojet propulsion, composite airframes, solid-state electronics, satellite communications, low visibility.
II. Make up the word combinations
| 1. routine 2. elongated 3. fully 4. earliest 5. qualified 6. light 7. aerodynamic 8. important 9. weather 10. short 11. satellite 12. synthetic | a. projectiles b. flights c. conditions d. distance e. documented f. pilots g. aircraft h. balloon i. devices j. innovations k. vision l. communications |
III. Fill in the missing words (legends, aviation, practicality, devices, balloon)
1. Many cultures have built … that travel through the air.
2. There are early … of human flight.
3. The modern age of … began with the first flight on November 21, 1783.
4. A hot air … was designed by the Montgolfier brothers.
5. The … of balloons was limited because they could only travel downwind.
IV. Find synonyms in the list of words
Devices, plane, regular, complex, sputnik, era, apparatus, construct, missile,, sophisticated, age, area, design, routine,, aircraft, rocket, satellite, terrain.
V. Find antonyms in the list of words
Modern, upwind, long-distance, extended, ancient, heavy, unusual, solid-fueled, short-distance, limited, large-volume, liquid-state, downwind, routine, liquid-fueled, light, small-volume, solid-state, nearby, synthetic, far, natural.
VI. Agree or disagree with the following statements
1. The legend of Icarus flight was followed by a kite flight by Yuan Huangtou in China.
2. The modern age of aviation began with the first flight on November 21, 1783.
3. A hot air balloon was designed by the Montgolfier brothers.
4. The practicality of balloons was limited because they could only travel upwind.
5. Great progress in the field of aviation was made during the 1920s and 1930s.
VII. Match the questions with the answers
1. Have only Russians built devices that travel through the air?
2. Are there early legends of human flight?
3. Did the modern age of aviation begin with the first flight on November 21, 1873?
4. Were several airships built during the 1800s?
5. Was there a boom in general aviation after the WWII?
a. Yes, there was.
b. No, they haven’t.
c. No, it didn’t.
d. Yes, there are.
e. Yes, there were.
VIII. Answer the questions
1. What are the early legends of human flight?
2. When did the modern age of aviation begin?
3. Who designed a hot air balloon?
4. Why was the practicality of balloons limited?
5. Who made the first aircraft to make routine flights?
6. What happened on December 17, 1903?
7. When was the great progress in the field of aviation made?
UNIT V
Text
Space Shuttle
Space shuttle is a partially reusable rocket-launched vehicle designed to go into orbit around Earth, to transport people and cargo to and from orbiting spacecraft, and to glide to a runway landing on its return to Earth's surface. The first vehicle of this type was developed by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Formally called the Space Transportation System (STS), it lifted off into space for the first time on April 12, 1981.
The U.S. space shuttle consists of three major components: a winged orbiter that carries both crew and cargo; an external tank containing liquid hydrogen (fuel) and liquid oxygen (oxidizer) for the orbiter's three main rocket engines; and a pair of large, solid-propellant, strap-on booster rockets. At liftoff the entire system weighs 2 million kilograms and stands 56 metres high. During launch the boosters and the orbiter's main engines fire together, producing about 31,000 kilonewtons of thrust. The boosters are jettisoned about two minutes after liftoff and are returned to Earth by parachute for reuse. After attaining 99 percent of its orbital velocity, the orbiter has exhausted the propellants in the external tank. It releases the tank, which disintegrates on reentering the atmosphere. Although the orbiter lifts off vertically like an expendable rocket launcher, it makes an unpowered descent and landing similar to a glider.
The space shuttle can transport satellites and other craft in the orbiter's cargo bay for deployment in space. It also can rendezvous with orbiting spacecraft to allow astronauts to service, resupply, or board them or to retrieve them for return to Earth. Moreover, the orbiter can serve as a space platform for conducting experiments and making observations of Earth and cosmic objects for as long as about two weeks. On some missions it has carried a European-built pressurized facility called Spacelab, in which shuttle crew members have conducted biological and physical research in weightless conditions.
Designed to be reflown as many as 100 times, the U.S. space shuttle originally had been expected to reduce the high cost of spaceflight into low Earth orbit. After the system became operational, however, the vehicle's operating costs and the time needed for refurbishment between flights proved to be significantly higher than early projections. Between 1981 and 1985 a fleet of four orbiters—Columbia, Challenger, Discovery, and Atlantis—was put into service. On January 28, 1986, Challenger, carrying seven astronauts, exploded shortly after liftoff, killing all aboard including a private citizen, schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe. In 1992, Endeavour, a replacement orbiter for the destroyed Challenger, flew its first mission.
Between 1995 and 1998, NASA conducted a series of shuttle missions to the orbiting Russian space station Mir to give the agency experience in station operations in anticipation of the construction of the modular International Space Station (ISS). Beginning in 1998, the shuttle was used extensively to take components of the ISS into orbit for assembly and to ferry astronaut crews and supplies to and from the station.
Topical Vocabulary
reusable rocket-launched vehicle – многоразовый ракетный аппарат
orbiting spacecraft – орбитальный космический летательный аппарат
to glide – планировать
a runway – взлетно-посадочная полоса
landing – приземление
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) – национальное управление по аэронавтике и исследованию космического пространства
Space Transportation System – космическая транспортная система
a winged orbiter – орбитальный аппарат, имеющий крылья
an external tank – внешний топливный бак
oxidizer –окисляющий компонент
solid-propellant – работающий на твердом топливе
a strap-on booster rocket – навесная ракета-носитель
a liftoff - запуск
thrust – реактивная тяга
to jettison – сбрасывать
reuse – повторное использование
to attain – достигать
orbital velocity – орбитальная скорость
to exhaust - израсходовать
propellant – топливо
to disintegrate – разрушаться
an expendable rocket launcher – ракета-носитель одноразового применения
an unpowered descent – безмоторное снижение высоты
a glider – планер
to rendezvous – сближаться
pressurized facility – компактная установка
weightless conditions – условия невесомости
operational – функционирующая
operating costs – стоимость эксплуатации
refurbishment – восстановление
projection – прогноз
a private citizen – частное лицо
replacement - заменяющий
International Space Station (ISS) – Международная космическая станция
Comprehension task
I. Read the word combinations and translate them into Russian:
to transport people and cargo, orbital velocity, Earth's surface, liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen, to exhaust the propellants, for reuse, a winged orbiter, cargo bay, to put into service, cosmic objects, entire system, to jettison the boosters, a replacement orbiter, for assembly, astronaut crew, to release the tank, to disintegrate on reentering the atmosphere.
II. Make up the word combinations:
| 1. winged 2. orbital 3. reusable 4.unpowered 5. weightless 6. solid 7. pressurized 8. orbiting 9. booster 10. external | a. propellant b. conditions c. facility d. tank e. spacecraft f. rocket g. descent h. orbiter i. rocket j. velocity |
III. Fill in the missing words (jettisoned, liftoff, thrust, unpowered, an external tank, returned):
1. At … the entire system weighs 2 million kilograms
2. The U.S. space shuttle consists of three major components: a winged orbiter, … and a pair of strap-on booster rockets
3. During launch the boosters and the orbiter's main engines produce about 31,000 kilonewtons of...
4. After liftoff the boosters are … and are … to Earth by parachute for reuse.
5. The orbiter makes an … descent and landing similar to a glider.
IV. Find synonyms in the list of words
major, to meet, cargo, to transport, load, main, to rendezvous, launch, team, to lift off, entire, to reach, to fly off, crew, whole, liftoff, to attain, to ferry.
V. Find antonyms in the list of words
partially, expendable, to jettison, to increase, completely, vertically, to return, internal, to lift off, reusable, to land, horizontally, external, to keep, to leave, to reduce.
VI. Agree or disagree with the following statements
1. Space shuttle is not designed to transport people and cargo to and from orbiting spacecraft.
2. At liftoff the entire system weighs 2 million kilograms.
3. After the boosters are jettisoned about two minutes after liftoff, they don’t return to Earth.
4. Space shuttle combines the features of an expendable rocket launcher and a glider.
5. Since the invention of space shuttle the high cost of spaceflight was reduced.
VII. Match the questions with the answers
1. When was shuttle used for the first time?
2. Who developed space shuttle?
3. When did the first big accident happen?
4. What does shuttle do like an expendable rocket launcher?
5. What does shuttle do like a glider?
a. It happened in 1986.
b. It was done by NASA.
c. It lifts off vertically.
d. It happened in 1981.
e. It makes an unpowered descent.
VIII. Answer the questions
1. What is a space shuttle?
2. What does it consist of?
3. What happens during the liftoff?
4. Can you describe the process of flight?
5. What is space shuttle used for?
6. Which purpose was shuttle designed for?
UNIT VI
Text
Konstantin Tsiolkovsky
Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was an Imperial Russian and Soviet rocket scientist and pioneer of astronautic theory. He was born in Izhevskoye, in the Russian Empire, to a middle-class family. His father, Edward Ciolkowski, was Polish; his mother, Maria Yumasheva, was an educated Russian woman. As a child, Konstantin caught scarlet fever and became hard of hearing. He was not accepted at elementary schools because of his hearing problem, so he was home schooled until the age of sixteen.
Tsiolkovsky theorized many aspects of space travel and rocket propulsion. He is considered the father of human spaceflight and the first man to conceive the space elevator, becoming inspired in 1895 by the newly-constructed Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Nearly deaf, he worked as a high school mathematics teacher until retiring in 1920. Only from the mid 1920s onwards the importance of his work was acknowledged by others, and Tsiolkovsky was honoured for it. He died on 19 September 1935 in Kaluga.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Tsiolkovsky delved into theories of heavier-than-air flying machines, independently working through many of the same calculations that the Wright brothers were doing at the same time. However, he never built any practical models, and his interest shifted to more ambitious topics. Tsiolkovsky's ideas were little known outside Imperial Russia, and the field lagged until German and other scientists independently made the same calculations decades later.
In 1923, German Hermann Oberth published his thesis "By Rocket into Planetary Space", which triggered wide-scaled interest and scientific research on the topic of space flight. It also reminded Friedrich Zander about once having read an article on the subject. He contacted the author and became active in promoting Tsiolkovsky's work, and developing it further. In 1924 Zander established the first astronautics society in the Soviet Union, the Society for Studies of Interplanetary Travel, and later researched and built liquid-fuelled rockets named OR-1 (1930) and OR-2 (1933).
Only late in his lifetime Tsiolkovsky was honoured for his pioneering work. On 23 August 1924 he was elected as a first professor of the Military Aerial Academy named after N. E. Zhukovsky.
His most important work, published in 1903, was "The Exploration of Cosmic Space by Means of Reaction Devices”, arguably the first academic treatise on rocketry. Tsiolkovsky calculated that the horizontal speed required for a minimal orbit around the Earth is 8 km (5 miles)/second and that this could be achieved by means of a multistage rocket fueled by liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.
During his lifetime he published over 500 works on space travel and related subjects, including science fiction novels.
Tsiolkovsky developed the idea of air cushion since 1921, publishing fundamental paper on it in 1927, entitled "Air Resistance and the Express Train". In 1929 Tsiolkovsky proposed the construction of multistage rockets in his book “Space Rocket Trains”.
His and Oberth's work influenced later rocketeers throughout Europe, like Wernher von Braun, and was also studied by the Americans in the 1950s and 1960s as they sought to understand the Soviet Union's successes in space flight.
Topical vocabulary
imperial – имперский
astronautic theory – космическая теория
scarlet fever – скарлатина
rocket propulsion – ракетный двигатель
to conceive – задумать, замыслить
a space elevator – стартовый стол
deaf – глухой
to retire – уйти на пенсию
to delve – углубляться
Imperial Russia – царская Россия
to lag – отставать, запаздывать
to trigger – вызывать
the Society for Studies of Interplanetary Travel – Организация по изучению межпланетных путешествий
pioneering work – новаторская работа
Military Aerial Academy – военно-воздушная академия
reaction device – реактивное устройство
treatise - трактат
rocketry – ракетостроение
a multistage rocket – многоступенчатая ракета
air cushion – воздушная подушка
racketeer – специалист по ракетной технике
to seek (sought, sought) – пытаться
Comprehension task
I. Read the word combinations and translate them into Russian:
rocket scientist, heavier-than-air flying machines, interplanetary travel, to be home schooled, aspects of space travel, to be inspired by smth., to be honoured for smth., to work through, ambitious topic, wide-scale interest, astronautic society, liquid-fuelled rockets, academic treatise, related subjects, air resistance.
II. Make up the word combinations:
| 1. space 2. astronautic 3. to delve into 4. multistage 5. practical 6. reaction 7. academic 8. rocket 9. air 10. scientific | a. cushion b. treatise c. device d. research e. propulsion f. society g. theories h. rocket i. model j. elevator |
III. Fill in the missing words (liquid-fuelled, to be acknowledged, a pioneer, rocketeers, academic works):
1. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was … of astronautic theory
2. Zander built … rockets named OR-1 (1930) and OR-2 (1933).
3. Besides … Tsiolkovsky wrote science fiction novels too.
4. Only in the mid 1920s the importance of Tsiolkovsky’s work … by others
5. Tsiolkovsky’s work influenced later … throughout Europe.
IV. Find synonyms in the list of words
dissertation, hard of hearing, independently, to acknowledge, to compute, original, deaf, research, subject, to publish, to accept, to conceive, separately, thesis, to elect, to theorize, topic, to calculate, investigation, pioneering, to choose, to print
V. Find antonyms in the list of words
success, passive, certainly, practical, well-known, liquid, arguably, solid, vertical, failure, little-known, theoretical, minimal, maximal, horizontal, active.
VI. Agree or disagree with the following statements
1. Konstantin Tsiolkovsky was the founder of astronautic theory.
2. He was the first to conceive the air cushion inspired by the newly-constructed Eiffel Tower.
3. The Wright brothers had done the same calculations earlier than Tsiolkovsky.
4. Hermann Oberth promoted Tsiolkovsky’s work.
5. Tsiolkovsky’s most important work was published in 1903.
VII. Match the questions with the answers
1. When did Tsiolkovsky conceive the space elevator?
2. Was he the only scientist who worked with the theory of heavier-than-air flying machines?
3. When did Tsiolkovsky's ideas become well- known outside Imperial Russia?
4. Was Tsiolkovsky honoured for his pioneering work?
5. Is “The Exploration of Cosmic Space by Means of Reaction Devices” arguably the first academic treatise on rocketry?
a. No, he wasn’t.
b. Yes, he was, but very late.
c. Yes, it is.
d. In 1895.
e. In 1923.
VIII. Answer the questions
1. What is Konstantin Tsiolkovsky?
2. What aspects did he theorize?
3. In what field did he begin his work?
4. When were his works finally noticed?
5. What impact did Zander do in the rocket construction?
6. What are Tsiolkovsky’s most important works?
7. Which scientist were the followers of Tsiolkovsky?
UNIT VII
Text
Space tourism
The passed XX century was marked by incredible achievements, which were not known in the history of the human civilization before. The flight of a human being into space is considered to be a culmination of scientific-technical revolution of the last century: that was the Soviet fighter - pilot, the first cosmonaut of the planet Yuri Gagarin who encircled the Earth on April 12, 1961.
From this moment on the active exploration of space has started - new spacecraft were designed, automatic vehicles were sent to the planets of the Solar system, space stations were launched into orbit, a human being went into outer space and visited the Moon. The development of space industry has drawn more and more people of different professions in it - i.e. scientists, engineers, designers, test - pilots. But only a few out of the hundreds thousands specialists were given a unique chance to fly to space.
Nowadays the space technologies are gradually transferring from the sphere of experimental and scientific research into the field of practical implementation. And now it's a high time for everyone not only to take use of the satellite communication, but also to fly into the real space without being a professional cosmonaut.
April 28, 2001 has become an official birthday of the space tourism - it was then that the "Soyuz TM-32" space vehicle having had aboard the first space tourist in the world was launched into space from the Baikonur launch site at 11:37 Moscow time. The American millionaire Dennis Tito has spent 7 days in orbit and dedicated his in-flight time to the Earth photographing from space. This mission successfully ended on May 6, 2001 at 9:41 Moscow time, when the descent capsule softly landed in the Kazakh steppes.
One year later, on April 25, 2002 the space tourist №2, resident of the South African Republic Mark Shuttleworth was launched into space. In contrast to Dennis Tito the second space tourist was allowed to freely move along the space station. In accordance with the agreement between ROSAVIAKOSMOS and NASA Mr. Shuttleworth was permitted to use onboard notebook computers for sending and receiving the e-mail. In addition, he was given a certain time for using the US communication system for down - linking video- and photo footage. When in space Mark Shuttleworth carried out his own scientific-research program, as well as participated in multiple press - conferences (live broadcasting was transmitted in 30 countries of Africa).
After his 10-day space mission Mr. Shuttleworth has announced his firm desire to fulfill a new space mission "at any time". In order to commemorate this incredible event the second space tourist purchased a mock-up of the "Soyuz TM-33" descent capsule, which had successfully delivered him back to the Earth, as well as his space suit.
ATLAS aerospace company is privileged to offer you a real flight into space - the most unbelievable and challenging adventure. That is truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. The most sophisticated space technologies, unique experience of our specialists and the most perfect equipment will be at your service.
If you are able to afford this unusual space travel, if you are medically fit to withstand the rigour of a space flight, if you are flexible in time to pass all the preparatory training, and the most important -if you are dreaming to be one of those, who have ever been to space, we can be at your disposal and make your dream true.
Topical vocabulary
mark – отмечать
incredible – невероятный
achievement – достижение
to consider – считать, полагать, рассматривать
to encircle – делать круг, окружать
exploration – исследование
to design – разрабатывать, проектировать
to draw – притягивать
research – исследование, изучение
implementation – исполнение, реализация
high time – давно пора, самое время
aboard – на борту
to dedicate – посвящать
descent – спуск, снижение
steppe – степь
accordance – соответствие
agreement – соглашение
to permit – позволять, давать разрешение
to participate – принимать участие
multiple – многократный
to announce – сообщать
to fulfill – выполнять
to commemorate – почтить ч.-л. память, в память о ч.-л. или о к.-л.
to purchase – покупать
mock-up – макет, экспериментальная модель
unbelievable – невероятный
challenging – многообещающий
to afford – позволить себе
to withstand – противостоять
rigour – суровые условия
in-flight – предлагаемый пассажирам на борту самолета
Comprehension task
I. Read the word combinations and translate them into Russian: incredible achievements, human civilization, scientific-technical revolution, fighter – pilot, space technologies, scientific research, test – pilots, practical implementation, satellite communication, descent capsule, in-flight time, onboard notebook computers, multiple press – conferences, once-in-a-lifetime experience, the rigour of a space flight.
II. Make up the word combinations:
| 1. incredible 2. human 3. automatic 4. space 5. unique 6. practical 7. aerospace 8. perfect 9. preparatory 10. firm | a. chance b. civilization c. stations d. implementation e. vehicles f. training g. equipment h. desire i. achievements j. company |
III. Fill in the missing words (flight, incredible, tourism, own, professions):
1. XX century was marked by … achievements.
2. The development of space industry has drawn many people of different … in it.
3. April 28, 2001 has become an official birthday of the space ….
4. Mark Shuttleworth carried out his … scientific-research program
5. ATLAS aerospace company is privileged to offer you a real into space.
IV. Find synonyms in the list of words: incredible, perform, report, realization, research, unbelievable, buy, consider, suppose, get, definite, allow, announce, permit, fulfill, implementation, exploration, purchase, certain, receive.
V. Find antonyms in the list of words: incredible, finish, many, ascend, credible, start, few, launch, land, descent, tourist, forbid, resident, sell, permit, unusual, deliver, usual, send, purchase.
VI. Agree or disagree with the following statements
1. Yuri Gagarin was the first cosmonaut of the planet the Soviet test- pilot.
2. The development of space industry has drawn more and scientists, engineers, designers, test - pilots.
3. Nowadays the space technologies are gradually transferring from the field of practical implementation into the sphere of experimental and scientific research.
4. April 28, 2001 has become an official birthday of the space tourism.
5. In order to commemorate this incredible event the second space tourist purchased "Soyuz TM-33" descent capsule.
VII. Match the questions with the answers
1. When did the first cosmonaut encircle the Earth?
2. Was the XX century marked by incredible achievements?
3. When is an official birthday of the space tourism?
4. When was the second space tourist launched into space?
5. Was the second space tourist allowed to freely move along the space station?
a. Yes, he was.
b. On April 25, 2002.
c. Yes, it was.
d. On April 28, 2001.
e. On April 12, 1961.
VIII. Answer the questions
1. What incredible achievement was the XX century marked by, which was not known in the history of the human civilization before?
2. How did the active exploration of space start?
3. When is an official birthday of the space tourism?
4. Who was the first space tourist?
5. When was the second space tourist launched into space?
6. Who was the second space tourist?
7. Who can be a space tourist?
UNIT VIII
Text
My future profession
When you leave school you understand that the time to choose your future profession, your future life has become. It's not easy to make the right choice of a job. I have known for long time that leaving school is the beginning of my independent life, the beginning of a far more serious examination of my abilities and character. What do I want to be when I leave school? It's very important question for me. A few years ago it was difficult for me to give a definite answer. As the years passed I changed my mind a lot of times about what science or field of industry to specialize in. It's difficult to make up my mind and choose one of the hundreds jobs to which I might be better suited. A couple of years ago I wanted to become a doctor, you know I wanted to help people who had problems with health. Then I wanted to become a policeman, and then a spaceman, I even wanted to become a professional football player. But all of them now are in the past; they were like children's dreams and nothing more. Now I have already decided what to do. I'd like to be an aviation and space engineer. I know that it's very difficult. I should know perfectly everything about the planes, space, airports, weather and other things. You know that the weather is very important thing for the flights too. I must be well-educated and well-informed. So I decided to go to the Technical University, the faculty of transport, oil and gas. I chose the specialty of aviation and space engineer. Then when I finish studding I'll try to get a job in the air companies or scientific-research laboratories. You know may be something will be not OK, because I don't know what will happen tomorrow, but I know that I'll do everything to realize my plans and my dreams. I also want to say that the profession should be chosen according to the character and hobbies of the person. That's why parents mustn't make their children choose the thing they like. Children must do it themselves. Because they must love the thing they do, believe that people need them and their job will bring them more pleasure.
I think that after graduating from the university I will work in a group of designers to develop instrumentation and avionics for both artificial satellites of the Earth and for all subsequent spacecrafts. I’d like to pursue my career in space-related professions as space systems engineers or space scientists. I know the importance of space explorations, their benefit for the national economy and hope to become a qualified engineer in the field of avionics and rocketry.
Topical vocabulary
to make the choice – сделать выбор
job – работа
independent –независимый
ability – способность
definite – определенный
to specialize – специализироваться
make up – составить
well-educated – хорошо образованный
well-informed – хорошо проинформированный
specialty – специальность
choose – выбирать
scientific-research – научно-исследовательский
pleasure – удовольствие
graduating – окончание ВУЗа
instrumentation – оборудование
artificial – искусственный
subsequent – последующий
importance – важность
pursue – добиваться, совершать
benefit –выгода, польза
to hope – надеяться
qualified – квалифицированный
Comprehension task
I. Read the word combinations and translate them into Russian: leave school, future profession, future life, independent life, serious examination, important question, definite answer, aviation and space engineer, well-educated, well-informed, to realize plans and dreams, to develop instrumentation and avionics, artificial satellite, subsequent spacecraft, to pursue career, national economy, qualified engineer.
II. Make up the word combinations:
| 1. leave 2. choose 3. football 4. space 5. air 6. develop 7. bring 8. subsequent 9. space 10. national | a. player b. school c. pleasure d. profession e. spacecraft f. engineer g. scientists h. companies i. economy j. instrumentation |
III. Fill in the missing words (decided, choice, designers, thing, question)
1. It's not an easy to make the right … of a job.
2. It's very important … for me..
3. Now I have already … what to do..
4. The weather is very important … for the flights.
5. I will work in a group of … to develop instrumentation and avionics.
IV. Find synonyms in the list of words: leave, specialty, dependent, certain, essential, complete, profession, prefer, the next day, cosmonaut, next, independent, important, definite, spaceman, research, tomorrow, like, subsequent, exploration.
V. Find antonyms in the list of words: easy, difficult, dependent, important, unimportant, independent, hate, subsequent, start, previous, finish, children, pleasure, grown-ups, love, artificial, displeasure, natural.
VI. Agree or disagree with the following statements
1. It's not an easy to make the right choice of a job.
2. To be an aviation and space engineer is not very difficult at all.
3. The weather is very important thing for the flights.
4. Parents must make their children choose the thing they like
5. The importance of space explorations, their benefit for the national economy is evident.
VII. Match the questions with the answers
1. Is it easy to make the right choice of a job?
2. Must you be well-educated and well-informed?
3. Should the profession be chosen according to the character and hobbies of the person?
4. Must parents make their children choose the thing they like?
5. Will you do everything to realize your plans and dreams?
a. Yes, you must.
b. No, they mustn’t.
c. Yes, it should.
d. Yes, I will.
e. No, it isn’t.
VIII. Answer the questions
1. What choice should everyone do after leaving school?
2. Why did you choose the profession of aviation and rocketry engineer?
3. What kind of person should a good specialist be?
4. What will you do after graduating from the university?
5. Where would you like to pursue your career?
6. What is the importance of space exploration?
7. Who helped you to make your mind when choosing the profession?
UNIT IX
Text
Types of aircraft
There are a number of ways to identify aircraft by type. The primary distinction is between those that are lighter than air and those that are heavier than air.
Aircraft such as balloons, nonrigid airships (blimps), and dirigibles are designed to contain within their structure a sufficient volume that, when filled with a gas lighter than air (heated air, hydrogen, or helium), displaces the surrounding ambient air and floats. Balloons are not steerable and drift with the wind. Nonrigid airships do not have a rigid structure but have a defined aerodynamic shape, which contains cells filled with the lifting agent. They have a source of propulsion and can be controlled in all three axes of flight. Dirigibles are no longer in use, but they were lighter-than-air craft with a rigid internal structure, which was usually very large, and they were capable of relatively high speeds.
Heavier-than-air aircraft must have a power source to provide the thrust necessary to obtain lift. Simple heavier-than-air craft include kites. These are usually a flat-surfaced structure, often with a stabilizing “tail,” attached by a bridle to a string that is held in place on the ground. Lift is provided by the reaction of the surface to the wind.
Another type of unmanned aircraft is the remotely piloted vehicle. These aircraft are radio-controlled from the air or the ground and are used for scientific and military purposes.
Unpowered manned heavier-than-air vehicles must be launched to obtain lift. These include hang gliders, gliders, and sailplanes.
Hang gliders are aircraft of various configurations in which the pilot is suspended beneath the wing to provide stability and control. They are normally launched from a high point. In the hands of an experienced pilot, hang gliders are capable of soaring.
Gliders are usually used for flight training and have the capability to fly reasonable distances when they are catapulted into the air, but they lack the dynamic sophistication of sailplanes. These sophisticated unpowered craft have wings of unusually high aspect ratio. Most sailplanes are towed to launch altitude, although some employ small, retractable auxiliary engines. They are able to use thermals and orographic lift to climb to higher altitude and to glide for great distances.
Ultralights, which were originally merely hang gliders adapted for power by the installation of small engines similar to those used in chain saws, have matured into specially designed aircraft of very low weight and power but with flying qualities similar to conventional light aircraft. They are intended primarily for pleasure flying, although advanced models are now used for training, police patrol, and other work, including a proposed use in combat.
Topical vocabulary
aircraft – воздушный летательный аппарат
nonrigid airship - дирижабль мягкой конструкции
blimp - полужёсткий дирижабль
volume – емкость
ambient air - атмосферный воздух
steerable – управляемый
propulsion – движущая сила
thrust – сила тяги
structure – устройство
bridle - уздечка
string – шнурок
remotely piloted vehicle - дистанционно пилотируемый аппарат
unmanned aircraft - беспилотный летательный аппарат
manned aircraft - пилотируемое воздушное судно
hang glider – дельтаплан
sailplane – планер
to suspend – подвешивать
to soar- планировать
sophistication – уровень детализации
aspect ratio –относительное удаление (крыла)
altitude – высота
retractable - выдвижной
auxiliary engine – вспомогательный двигатель
thermal – восходящий поток воздуха
chain saw – бензопила
Comprehension task
I. Read the word combinations and translate them into Russian:
heavier-than-air vehicles, nonrigid airships, a source of propulsion, three axes, to provide the thrust, to obtain lift, dynamic sophistication, primary distinction, lifting agent, internal structure, sufficient volume, power source, remotely piloted vehicle,
to be capable of soaring, reasonable distances, retractable auxiliary engines, radio-controlled, to launch altitude, high altitude, flying qualities, police patrol, have the capability, experienced pilot.
II. Make up the word combinations
| 1. nonrigid 2. ambient 3. internal 4. sufficient 5. to launch 6. flight 7. hang 8. to provide 9. aerodynamic 10. aspect 11. unpowered 12. auxiliary 13. primary | a. shape b. ratio c. craft d. distinction e. airships f. glider g. structure h. air i. altitude j. engine k. the thrust l. training m. volume |
III. Fill in the missing words (ultralights, sophistication, thermals, radio-controlled, nonrigid)
1. Airships that do not have a rigid structure are called ….
2. Gliders lack the dynamic … of sailplanes.
3. The remotely piloted vehicle are … from the air or the ground.
4. Sailplanes use … to climb to higher altitude.
5. … are now used for training, police patrol, and other work
IV. Find synonyms in the list of words
to glide, way, distinction, velocity, speed, to drift, aircraft, propulsion, to start, airplane, approach, velocity, division, to float, altitude, design, to suspend, speed, to glide, to launch, driving force, to soar, configuration, height.
V. Find antonyms in the list of words
internal, complicated, heavier than air, similarity, ground, to lack, sophistication, unmanned, above, main, flat, external, lighter than air, auxiliary, air, to have, simple, simplicity, uneven, manned, beneath, distinction.
VI. Agree or disagree with the following statements
1. Heavier than air aircraft are no longer in use.
2. Heavier than air aircraft can be manned or unmanned.
3. Helium is used in heavier than air craft.
4. Ultralights are used for training, police patrol and military purposes.
5. Hang glider is an example of manned aircraft.
VII. Match the questions with the answers
1. What do all lighter than air aircraft have in their structure?
2. How is the aircraft that can be controlled from air or ground called?
3.Where is the pilot placed in hang gliders?
4. Which aircraft is not used nowadays?
5. What power source is used in ultralights?
a. It is remotely piloted vehicle.
b. He is suspended beneath the wing.
c. They have small engines.
d. It is a dirigible.
e. They have a sufficient volume.
VIII. Answer the questions
1. What types of aircraft exists?
2. Why is lighter than air aircraft called so?
3. What is the basic feature of nonrigid aircraft?
4. What is a dirigible?
5. Why can heavier than air aircraft lift?
6. What is a remotely piloted vehicle?
7. What are the capabilities of hang gliders?
8. Why are sailplanes able to fly?
9. What is the difference between ultralights and hang gliders?
Библиографический список
1. Flight international//Paris Special 07.2007. www.flightglobal.com
2. Spacenews international.2009.
3. Space: UK.2008. www.bnsc.gov.uk
4. www.nasa.com
5. www.fas.org
6. Interavia.2008
Содержание
Unit I Space exploration………………………………………………………....... 3
Unit II The basic directions of development domestic rocket means of injection... 6
Unit III The history of human spaceflights………………………………………. 9
Unit IV The History of Aviation………………………………………………… 12
Unit V Space Shuttle…………………………………………………………….. 15
Unit VI Konstantin Tsiolkovsky……………………………………………….... 18
Unit VII Space tourism…………………………………………………………... 21
Unit VIII My future profession………………………………………………...... 24
Unit IX Types of aircraft……………………………………………………….... 27