Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- charred /chahrd/
- eroded /ee-ROW-duhd/
- mitigate /MIT-i-geyt/
- trajectory /truh-JEK-tuh-ree /
- expedite /EK-spi-dahyt /
[adjective] – burned on the surface
The smell of charred wood lingered in the air after the campfire was extinguished.
[adjective] – worn away or deteriorated
The once smooth surface of the statue is now rough and eroded due to exposure to the elements.
[verb] – to make something less harmful, unpleasant, or bad
The company implemented new safety measures to mitigate the risks of workplace accidents.
[noun] – the path followed by an object, especially one moving through the air or space
The rocket’s trajectory was carefully calculated to ensure it reached the correct orbit.
[verb] – to make something happen more quickly
The team worked overtime to expedite the delivery of the new product before the holiday season.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
NASA announced that the next mission in the Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the moon after over 50 years, has been postponed to April 2026. The mission, originally scheduled for September 2025, involves four astronauts flying around the moon and returning to Earth. The space agency cited technical challenges, particularly related to heat shield damage from the Orion capsule’s 2022 test flight, as a primary cause of the delay. The damaged heat shield, charred and eroded during reentry, required extensive analysis to identify the root cause and establish solutions. Additionally, other spacecraft upgrades are essential before the mission can proceed. The subsequent Artemis mission, a moon landing by two astronauts, is now expected no earlier than 2027. This program is the successor to NASA’s Apollo missions of the late 1960s and 1970s, which successfully sent 24 astronauts to the moon, with 12 walking on its surface.
NASA engineers concluded that the heat shield damage during the Orion capsule’s flight test was caused by gases accumulating and cracking its outer layer during reentry. To mitigate this, adjustments to the reentry trajectory will be made for the upcoming mission instead of replacing the heat shield entirely, which would have delayed the program by at least a year. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized that the revised timeline positions the United States ahead of China’s lunar ambitions, projected for 2030. Contractors, including SpaceX, have been urged to expedite their progress to meet deadlines. SpaceX’s Starship rocket will transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface during the Artemis moon landings. Astronaut Reid Wiseman expressed support for the delays, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety and resolving technical concerns before moving forward with the mission.
NASA engineers concluded that the heat shield damage during the Orion capsule’s flight test was caused by gases accumulating and cracking its outer layer during reentry. To mitigate this, adjustments to the reentry trajectory will be made for the upcoming mission instead of replacing the heat shield entirely, which would have delayed the program by at least a year. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson emphasized that the revised timeline positions the United States ahead of China’s lunar ambitions, projected for 2030. Contractors, including SpaceX, have been urged to expedite their progress to meet deadlines. SpaceX’s Starship rocket will transport astronauts from lunar orbit to the surface during the Artemis moon landings. Astronaut Reid Wiseman expressed support for the delays, emphasizing the importance of ensuring safety and resolving technical concerns before moving forward with the mission.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever used a telescope to look at the stars or the moon? If yes, what did you see? If not, would you like to try it? Why or why not?
- Have you ever heard about space missions or watched a documentary about astronauts? If yes, what did you learn about their challenges? If not, what would you like to know about the preparation process for astronauts before their missions?
- Do you agree that technological challenges should be resolved before proceeding with space exploration?
- What do you think about NASA’s plan to have astronauts fly around the moon instead of landing on it first?
- What do you think could be the impact of delaying the Artemis mission on global space exploration?
Summarization
Please summarize the whole article using your own words and expressions. You will have one minute to prepare before you answer.
Describe:
Please explain the definition of each word listed below based on your understanding. You can provide example sentences if needed.
- orbit
- mission
- astronaut
- outer layer
- extensive analysis