A printable worksheet for news-based English conversation classes.
Date: 2024/10/23
Difficulty: Upper Intermediate B2
PDF: California company develops giant catapult to launch satellites
| satellites • | • track |
| conducted • | • intense |
| monitor • | • effective |
| emphasizing • | • performed |
| efficient • | • space objects |
| extreme • | • stressing |
| satellites | space objects |
| conducted | performed |
| monitor | track |
| emphasizing | stressing |
| efficient | effective |
| extreme | intense |
SpinLaunch, a company in California, is gaining attention for its new way of launching satellites. Instead of using rocket fuel, it uses a giant spinning arm powered by electricity to send satellites into space. This method is cleaner and more efficient. Jonathan Yaney, SpinLaunch's CEO, said, "This is not a rocket," emphasizing the technology's success.
The company has already conducted many successful tests and plans to launch more satellites by 2026. This technology is important because satellites help monitor Earth's health and conduct research. SpinLaunch's system uses modern materials and electronics to handle extreme conditions in space.
If successful, this could reduce the need for large amounts of rocket fuel, which is better for the environment. The company is working with organizations like NASA and aims to build a coastal launch site to further develop its technology.
| A: | Hey, did you hear about that massive catapult? |
| B: | Yeah, it's pretty wild. It throws satellites into space! |
| A: | Exactly, just a giant spinning arm. Sounds like a theme park ride. |
| B: | I wonder if they'll let us take a ride on it. |
| A: | Ugh, I think I'd get a bit dizzy. |
| B: | Yeah, good point, and it would be a one-way trip! |