B2 – Upper Intermediate
The SpaceX booster landing represents a significant advancement in aerospace engineering and space travel efficiency. On October 14, 2024, SpaceX successfully executed the unprecedented capture of its Super Heavy-Starship rocket’s first stage using mechanical arms, known as “mechazilla”.
This innovative approach not only demonstrates the potential for fully reusable rockets but also aligns with Elon Musk’s vision of making life multiplanetary. The successful landing and capture mark a pivotal moment in reducing costs associated with space exploration and increasing launch frequency.
Watch the video and get a glimpse of the advancement of space traveling.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What is the “all eyes on someone/something”? “All eyes were on Boca Chica Texas as the Starship rocket blasted off at sunrise.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘all eyes on sb/sth’ in your own sentence.
- What does the noun “booster” mean here, “Getting its booster to land not in the ocean but instead guiding it back to the same Launchpad into a pair of giant mechanical arms.”? Use this term in a sentence.
- What does the phrasal verb “blow someone away” mean? “I mean, to see this even live was… It blew me away to watch it.” Give two (2) synonyms or similar expressions and use ‘blow someone away’ in your own sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- In your own words, explain the “chopsticks maneuver”. What can you say about this space launch technology?
- Share your insights about this, “SpaceX has grown to dominate the space launch business. But for some, that dominance poses another risk — the politicization of space exploration.”
- Share your opinion on this, “Elon Musk routinely promotes his far-right views on his social media platform and financially-backs Trump.“
- How important is space exploration?
- What do you think would be the highlights of space travel in the future?
2 replies on “SpaceX Catches Starship Rocket Booster Intact”
1. In your own words, explain the “chopsticks maneuver”. What can you say about this space launch technology?
“chopsticks maneuver”: a complicated movement that needs to be done so carefully. I think this launch technology is a great advanced because this recycling process it will reduce the cost of future lanches and the time period between them.
2. Share your insights about this, “SpaceX has grown to dominate the space launch business. But for some, that dominance poses another risk — the politicization of space exploration.”
I agree that SpaceX is the first important player to make business in the travel to the space but there will be more in the future so we will see who will dominate. According to the politization we will see. There is no doubt that Elon Musk is a known person and his speech together to Trump impacts and maybe can make an influence in the US people but I prefer thinking that US people takes into account more topics in order to decide their votes
3. Share your opinion on this, “Elon Musk routinely promotes his far-right views on his social media platform and financially-backs Trump.“
Yes, I agree and I think there is an interest behind his speech close to Trump and far-right. I would prefer he would have separate business and politics.
4. How important is space exploration?
It is really important for many reasons. Maybe the most important is to find new places and get new achivements such as mankind has always done across history. But also, indirectly, during this process there are so many technology improvements that implies to everyone providing from new simple gatchets to great invents.
5. What do you think would be the highlights of space travel in the future?
Great invents in the process of developing the technology to travel in the space and, obviously, knowing new places. It is diffcult to think that the mankind will be able to conquer new planets and/or Solar System but it was the same in the past when almost nobody thought that the moon will be reached out.
Way to go writing your responses.
Take a look at how you can revise these sentences:
Keep doing a very good job.