Space/Space Race

In the 19th century science fiction writers dreamt of leaving earth by …

• a cannon shot to the moon^(English)
• using a comet^(English)

The invention of rockets found a way to escape the gravity of earth. In the fifties and sixties the superpowers started a competition who would first reach the moon:

Task

Read the texts and do the exercises.

Texts

• Space Race^(English)
• The Apollo program (nasa.gov)
• 50 Years Ago: On the Way to the Moon (nasa.gov)

Interactive exercises

The Beginnings

MIXED GRAMMAR

Put in the words in the correct form. Sometimes you may have to add a word.

The first rockets which left the atmosphere of the earth, were built(build) by German engineers in the 1930ies. The A5 (later called the V2) was able to reach (able, reach) a height of 200km. As Germany collapsed at the end of WW2, teams from the United State and the Soviet Union raced (race) to capture key German technology.

Wernher von Braun and his team were sent (send) to the United States. They began(begin) a program of launching the German rockets and instructing American engineers in their operation. These tests led (lead) to the first rocket to take photos from outer space, and the first two-stage rocket in 1949.

The first rockets which left the atmosphere of the earth, were built(build) by German engineers in the 1930ies. The A5 (later called the V2) was able to reach (able, reach) a height of 200km. As Germany collapsed at the end of WW2, teams from the United State and the Soviet Union raced (race) to capture key German technology. Wernher von Braun and his team were sent (send) to the United States. They began(begin) a program of launching the German rockets and instructing American engineers in their operation. These tests led (lead) to the first rocket to take photos from outer space, and the first two-stage rocket in 1949.

Sputnik Shock

In 1957 the Americans were surprised (surprise) by the launch of the first artificial satellite in orbit. Three days before the Soviets had launched (launch) Sputnik, a small, beeping ball, weighing 83 kilograms and having a 58-centimeter diameter. Its (???) radio signals could be heared|could be heard (can, hear) by listeners all over the world.

Now the Space Race began: “Who would send|will send (send) the first man into space?” First the Russians started with a dog called (call) Laika – then the Americans blasted off a chimpanzee. In 1963 Juri Gagarin was the first man in orbit.

In 1957 the Americans were surprised (surprise) by the launch of the first artificial satellite in orbit. Three days before the Soviets had launched (launch) Sputnik, a small, beeping ball, weighing 83 kilograms and having a 58-centimeter diameter. Its (???) radio signals could be heared

Listeners were both thrilled and terrified to hear Sputnik 1s steady beep.

Apollo 11 - the Moon Landing

Put in words of the same word family.

0. In 1961 president Kennedy gave a speech in which he promised to send people to the moon. SPEAK

1. Apollo 11 was launched on July 16, 1969 and was the fifth() manned mission of NASA's FIVE

2. Apollo program. After travelling for three days they entered into lunar Orbit(). ORBITAL

3. Armstrong and Aldrin were chosen() to take lunar module Eagle and land on the moon. CHOICE

4. Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface and described() the event as "one small DESCRIPTION

5. step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind." They returned to Earth and safely() SAFE

    splashed down in the Pacific Ocean.

{{{1}}}

Space

1. Space Race
2. ISS
3. A Colony on the Moon?
4. Mission to Mars
   
5. Science Fiction
   • Space Oddity
   • Lost in Space
   • Mars attacks
6. Guided Writing

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See also

BBC documentary 240 minutes (mini-series, 4 parts)