Vocabulary
The path an object follows as it moves around another object.
Orbit
Who makes the final decision about the launch?
Mission Control
What is the difference between being in space and being in orbit?
In space means above Earth’s atmosphere; in orbit means traveling around Earth in a path.
What does it sound like when they are in orbit?
It is very quiet.
An opening in the deck of a ship.
Hatch
A formal written request to attain something, such as a job
Application
Describe what happened right after the launch engines cut off.
The crew felt weightless
Which of these is a fact from the selection?
A) Sunrises and sunsets are spectacular
B) You see one sunrise and one sunset each orbit
C) The view from the shuttle is magnificent
D) Deserts are glorious against the blackness of space
B) You see one sunrise and one sunset each orbit
What does the crew feel as they zoom past the clouds?
As they zoom past clouds, they feel a force of 3 g’s pushing them back
Sets of straps and gear used to connect a person to something
Harness
A place to live or stay
Accommodation
Why couldn’t most of the crew see outside before liftoff?
there were no windows where they sat
Deserts are described as ______ against the blackness of space.
glorious against the blackness of space
Is the following informal or formal language:
“Launch plus six minutes, the shuttle reaches orbit.”
Formal
: A tremble or shake caused by a strong force
Shudder
Providing a way to get to something
Access
What happens in the white room?
In the white room, astronauts are strapped in and final checks are done before launch.
Sunrises and sunsets are called ______ in the story.
spectacular
Is the following sentence informal or formal language:
“Wow, floating around up here is the coolest thing ever!”
Informal
Possessing a regular, rhythmic beat.
pulsing
The proper way of doing something, usually by a series of steps
Procedure
How high above Earth does the shuttle fly?
200 Miles
Put these events in order: zoom past clouds, experience a force of 3 g’s, fuel tank drops away, books and pencils float.
1) Zoom past clouds → 2) Experience a force of 3 g’s → 3) Fuel tank drops away → 4) Books and pencils float.
What are the astronauts able to see from orbit that is spectacular?
They can see sparkling blue oceans, electrical storms, and enormous chunks of ice.
Very unusual and impressive
Extraordinary