©NASA/Firefly Aerospace Via AP
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- engage /en-GEYJ/
- precedent /PRES-i-duhnt/
- harsh /hahrsh/
- advancement /ad-VANS-muhnt/
- collaboration /kuh-lab-uh-REY-shuhn/
[verb] – to participate or become involved in something
Students are encouraged to engage in classroom discussions to improve their speaking skills.
[noun] – an earlier event or action that is used as an example or rule to follow in future situations
The judge’s decision set a legal precedent for future cases.
[adjective] – severe or unpleasant, often referring to conditions or behavior
The harsh winter weather caused many flight delays.
[noun] – the process of making progress or moving forward in a particular area
He received a promotion as part of his career advancement.
[noun] – the act of working together with others to achieve a common goal
The project was a success thanks to the collaboration of several departments.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
A private lunar lander, Blue Ghost, successfully landed on the moon on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. The lander, developed by Firefly Aerospace, was part of NASA’s commercial lunar delivery program, aimed at encouraging private companies to contribute to lunar exploration. The Blue Ghost, launched from Florida in January, carried 10 experiments for NASA, including a vacuum for collecting moon dirt and a drill to measure temperature beneath the surface. The landing took place near the northeastern edge of the moon, in a region known as Mare Crisium, approximately 225,000 miles from Earth. NASA invested $101 million in the mission to promote lunar research and establish a new economy in space.
The successful landing has opened new opportunities for private space companies to engage in lunar activities. Firefly Aerospace’s achievement sets a precedent as the first private company to land on the moon without failing. This accomplishment is significant because only a few nations have successfully landed on the moon in the past. Furthermore, the mission’s scientific instruments will provide valuable data to assist future lunar missions, including the use of advanced navigation techniques for upcoming explorations. Despite challenges such as the harsh lunar environment and technical hurdles, this achievement demonstrates the potential for technological advancements in space. Experts believe that continued collaboration between private companies and space agencies like NASA could significantly enhance the pace of exploration and the development of a sustainable lunar economy.
The successful landing has opened new opportunities for private space companies to engage in lunar activities. Firefly Aerospace’s achievement sets a precedent as the first private company to land on the moon without failing. This accomplishment is significant because only a few nations have successfully landed on the moon in the past. Furthermore, the mission’s scientific instruments will provide valuable data to assist future lunar missions, including the use of advanced navigation techniques for upcoming explorations. Despite challenges such as the harsh lunar environment and technical hurdles, this achievement demonstrates the potential for technological advancements in space. Experts believe that continued collaboration between private companies and space agencies like NASA could significantly enhance the pace of exploration and the development of a sustainable lunar economy.
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever participated in a space exploration project or watched a space mission? If so, what part of the mission did you find most interesting? If not, what aspect of space exploration would you like to be part of in the future?
- Have you ever been involved in a project that required teamwork? If so, how did you contribute to the success of the project? If not, what kind of teamwork project would you like to try?
- Do you agree that private companies should be involved in space exploration?
- What challenges do you think private companies will face in continuing to explore the moon, and how can they overcome these challenges?
- How can collaboration between different countries and companies make space exploration more successful?
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.
- exploration
- company
- measure
- upcoming
- economy