Module 2A Outer Space Candidates to become astronauts are eligible for a mission after more than two years of training The programme does not only involve preparation in specific fields such as Earth Science, Space Science and Engineering Applicants also plenty of physical exercises to get ready to work in space conditions During the first month, candidates train in parachute jumping and military water and land survival This will help them if there is an unplanned landing back on Earth Another requirement is to become scuba qualified –a need for space walk training After all this practice, aspirants take a swimming test They swim three-lengths of a 25-metre pool without stopping, and after that, cover the same length but wearing a flight suit and tennis shoes Apart from this, candidates tread water with the flight suit during ten minutes While training, possible future astronauts are also introduced to factors present in space that affect body functions For example, they experience microgravity conditions in a modified aircraft that produces periods of weightlessness through manoeuvres This practice is repeated forty times in a day! And it exposes passengers to what will happen to their bodies while in space Because of weak gravity, a greater amount of body fluids flows to the upper part of the body, affecting the cardiovascular system Some effects are nasal congestion, headaches and nausea Weightlessness also weakens bones and muscles For this reason, it is essential that astronauts be in good shape If candidates finally get selected for a flight, they will get prepared for the specific mission in special simulators for at least ten months A Neutral Buoyancy Simulator, a huge pool that contains replicas of space station modules in its bottom, is used for training astronauts for space walks and body motion in weightless conditions Approximately ten hours spent under water amount to one hour walked in space Astronaut candidates also get familiarised with space shuttle facilities and learn how to operate them In this way, astronauts learn to deal with any problems that may arise and are ready for real space travel Did you know that the word astronaut used in the United States means sailor among the stars? Cosmonaut is used in Russia and it means sailor of the universe Astronauts in the Chinese space program are sometimes called taikonauts Taikonaut comes from the Chinese words tai kong (outer space) http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/astronaut_worldbook.html English Toolkit - Sports Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A / Richmond 2011 Astronauts training Module 2A Activities 1 Read the text and put the pictures in order Use key words from the text to support your answers a c b d a training in land and water survival: b taking a swimming test: c .being scuba qualified: d reproducing microgravity conditions: e training deep down a huge pool: 3 An astronaut explains his process of selection as an aspirant Complete the blanks with the Simple Past form of the verbs in brackets All the verbs are irregular! I (become) a candidate astronaut after many interviews and medical tests I (take) a swimming test I (swim) in the pool with and without the flight suit and then, (tread) water for ten minutes As an astronaut, I (spend) more than ten months preparing for the mission and (get) used to the effects of microgravity 4 Discuss What you think of astronaut training? Write a list of ideas to share with the class These questions are given as a guide Is it more difficult than training for any other job / activity? Is it more dangerous? Why? Did you think training was less or more intense than what the text informs? Can anyone apply to become an astronaut? What are the advantages of being an astronaut? What are the risks? Use the ideas generated in the discussion to write a paragraph about astronaut training English Toolkit - Sports Photocopiable © Ediciones Santillana S.A / Richmond 2011 2 Read the text again and find the reason for…