California company develops giant catapult to launch satellites

Nick's ESL News Lessons

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

Vocabulary Match

satellites •• track
conducted •• intense
monitor •• effective
emphasizing •• performed
efficient •• space objects
extreme •• stressing

Vocabulary Answers

satellitesspace objects
conductedperformed
monitortrack
emphasizingstressing
efficienteffective
extremeintense

Article

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.

Quiz

  1. What is SpinLaunch becoming known for?
  2. How does SpinLaunch launch satellites?
  3. When does SpinLaunch plan to launch more satellites?
  4. Why is this technology important?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. SpinLaunch is becoming known for its new way of launching satellites.
  2. SpinLaunch uses a giant spinning arm powered by electricity to launch satellites.
  3. SpinLaunch plans to launch more satellites by 2026.
  4. Because satellites help monitor Earth's health and conduct research.

Conversation

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!

Discussion

  1. Would you like to ride a giant spinning arm into space?
  2. What other inventions can help the environment?
  3. Should money for space exploration be used to fix Earth's problems instead? Why or why not?
  4. Would you rather go to space or to the bottom of the deepest oceans?

Source Material

https://www.thebrighterside.news/space/giant-catapult-defies-gravity-by-launching-satellites-into-orbit-without-the-need-of-rocket-fuel/


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