Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Why is the moon important for life on Earth?
- What are some interesting myths or stories you know about the Moon?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- capsule /KAP-suhl/
- detailed /dih-TEYLD/
- upgrade /UHP-greyd/
- timeline /TAHYM-lahyn/
- thorough /THUR-oh/
[noun] – a small, sealed container used to hold or transport something, especially in space travel.
The astronaut placed the research samples in a secure capsule before returning to Earth.
[adjective] – involving many careful details
The detailed report included all the necessary data for the investigation.
[noun] – an improvement in something
The hotel is undergoing upgrades to enhance guest experience.
[noun] – a schedule of events or actions, often shown in chronological order
The project manager created a timeline to keep the team on track.
[adjective] – complete and detailed, paying careful attention to all aspects
The detective conducted a thorough investigation of the crime scene.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
NASA has announced that the next mission in the Artemis program, which aims to send astronauts back to the moon after more than 50 years, will be delayed until April 2026. The mission, originally planned for September 2025, will involve four astronauts flying around the moon and returning to Earth. The delay is mainly due to technical issues, including damage to the heat shield of the Orion capsule during a 2022 test flight. The heat shield was damaged during reentry, requiring detailed investigation to identify the cause and fix the issue. Other spacecraft upgrades are also needed before the mission can proceed. The next Artemis mission, which involves two astronauts landing on the moon, will now take place no earlier than 2027. Artemis is NASA’s successor to the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s, which sent 24 astronauts to the moon, with 12 walking on its surface.
Engineers found that the heat shield was damaged by gases building up and cracking its outer layer during reentry. To address this, NASA will adjust the reentry path for the upcoming mission rather than replace the heat shield, which would cause a major delay. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said the revised timeline keeps the U.S. ahead of China’s plans to reach the moon by 2030. SpaceX has been urged to speed up its work on the Starship rocket, which will take astronauts to the lunar surface. Astronaut Reid Wiseman supported the delay, emphasizing safety and thorough problem-solving.
Engineers found that the heat shield was damaged by gases building up and cracking its outer layer during reentry. To address this, NASA will adjust the reentry path for the upcoming mission rather than replace the heat shield, which would cause a major delay. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said the revised timeline keeps the U.S. ahead of China’s plans to reach the moon by 2030. SpaceX has been urged to speed up its work on the Starship rocket, which will take astronauts to the lunar surface. Astronaut Reid Wiseman supported the delay, emphasizing safety and thorough problem-solving.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What is the Artemis program’s main goal?
- When was the Artemis mission originally planned?
- Why has the Artemis mission been delayed?
- What happened to the heat shield during the 2022 test flight?
- When is the next Artemis mission expected to take place?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever watched a rocket launch or read about space missions? If so, what did you find most interesting about it? If not, would you like to learn more about space missions? Why or why not?
- 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?
- Do you agree that it is better to fix the heat shield instead of replacing it to avoid a major delay?
- Do you think it is important for countries to send astronauts to the moon again? Why or why not?
- How do you think the delay in this mission will affect public interest in space exploration?