Space Tourism

On Earth, governments provide a number of services, such as defense, police and legal system. But most activities are done by individuals and companies and it is going to be the same in space. Over the past few years a growing volume of work has been done on the subject and it is now clear that setting up commercial space tourism services is a realistic target for business today. – H

14. Many people still think that to get the chance to go to space you have got to try to become an astronaut. Unfortunately, the chances of succeeding are tiny, simply because there are so few astronauts – and there is no prospect of a lot more being employed. However, you need not despair because you will be able to go as a visitor. So for anyone, the first thing you should do if you want to go to space is save up because the demand is expected to be strong and, in the early stages, prices will be high.

15. In order to stay longer in space, you could work in one of the businesses that will be set up in orbit. There will be opportunities in manufacturing – aerospace vehicle makers, orbital construction, electric power, extra-terrestrial mining, chemical engineering and other fields. So you can start university studies and try to get the sort of work experience that will ensure you are well-placed to apply for a job in any of these areas.

16. The general public is very interested in traveling in space. Apart from the interest factor, such tourism is the only way in which space activities can become profitable and the quickest way to start to use the limitless resources of space to solve our problems on Earth. And living in space involves every line of business, from construction to marketing, fashion, interior design and law.

17. It is possible to envisage a future when demand for space tourism travel will grow from thousands of passengers per year to hundreds of thousands per year. Tickets to orbit will cost less and flights will depart from many different airports. Orbital facilities will grow from just being prefabricated modules to large structure constructed for hundreds of guests.

18. But like any other business, space tourism will develop progressively. Starting as a relatively small-scale and relatively high-priced activity, customers will find that the service will be nearer to “adventure travel” than to a luxury-style hotel. Orbital accommodation will be safe but rather simple. This will be a time for the pioneers who will not mind the lack of comfort.

19. Few projects are successfully completed without the help of people who believe in them. It is possible to take an active role in brining space tourism about by asking airlines, hostels and travel companies if and when they intend to offer space travel. Others may prefer to lend a hand by doing research into one or more of the areas needing it, or by joining one of the many companies that are already working towards a future in space.

TIME TRAVEL

Task: Read two opinions about travel. Which opinion do you agree with?

Give reasons for your answer.

Harry: “I do not understand the modern fashion for long-distance travel. We travel thousands of miles to get to the other side of the world, and then two weeks later we come back again. What for? To see the sights… and make a mess of them? To get to know other cultures? You must be joking.

The instinct to explore has been exhausted. Humans have been everywhere, done everything. They have climbed to the top of Everest so often the summit resembles a rubbish dump.

This restlessness and our ever increasing desire to travel long distances is disastrous for the environment. Air travel burns up unimaginable quantities of fuel and is the most energy-hungry thing that people can do. It is a scandal that aviation fuel for international flights is not taxed.

As for the idea that travel broadens the mind, widens people’s horizons and promotes international understanding, this is just nonsense. You can only really learn anything about foreign countries by living and working in them and I applaud those who do it”.

Ben: “Travel abroad is no longer a luxury and nowadays most people in my country have had at least one foreign holiday. Personally I think this has benefited our society in a number of ways.

Firstly, it enables us to observe and value other cultures and to understand that ours is not the only way of life. This helps combat ignorance and narrow-mindedness, which so often lead to racial prejudice and even violence. Secondly, foreign tourists can learn from and “borrow” those aspects of other cultures which are better than in their own country.

Another benefit is that more people can now see the world’s most spectacular natural sights and visit its most important historic monuments. As a result, we discover our planet and become more knowledgeable in a way, which is simply not possible with the Internet or television.

To conclude, I strongly believe that if we travel with an open mind, our horizons will be widened even further”.

Topical Vocabulary

1) to have a (comfortable, easy, good, pleasant, safe) journey – отправиться в (комфортабельное, краткое, приятное, безопасное) путешествие, поездку.

e.g. Have a safe journey.

2) to go on a cruise – отправиться в круиз

e.g. She used all her savings to go on a cruise.

3. to go on a hike – путешествовать пешком, ходить на экскурсию.

e.g. The boys have gone on a long hike with the Boy Scouts.

3. to make a (frequent, occasional, rare, regular) trip – совершать (частые, изредка, редкие, постоянные) поездки.

e.g. He makes frequent trips to Poland.

3. to be on a business (fishing, pleasure, shopping, sightseeing, school) trip – поехать в командировку, на рыбалку, на отдых, за покупками, на экскурсию, со школой.

e.g.: We are on a school trip to the Science Museum.

3. to get (comfortable, decent, poor, luxurious, temporary) accommodation – разместиться с комфортом, подобающим образом, с плохими условиями, в роскошном номере, временно).

e.g. Many people seek decent accommodation.

3. to go travelling – отправиться в путешествие.

e.g.: When I finished college I went travelling for six months (spent time visiting different places)

3. through the travel agency – с помощью туристического агенства

e.g.: He managed to flight to Helsinki through the travel agency.

3. to embark on a grand tour (a tour of Europe) – поехать в долгое путешествие (по Европе)

e.g.: He took his degree before embarking on the grand tour.

3. to make the booking – покупать билеты заранее.

e.g.: I made the booking through a travel agent.

3. to book (reserve) a (first-class, one-way, round-trip) tickets – купить заранее билет в первый класс, в одну сторону, в оба конца.

e.g.: He booked a one-way ticket to San-Francisco.

3. to buy (obtain, purchase) the ticket – купить билет

e.g. You must obtain a ticket for your entire journey before boarding the train.

3. to expect (await) the arrival – ожидать прибытия

e.g. We noticed the crowd awaiting the arrival of the film star.

3. to carry (collect, check) one’s luggage – нести (забирать, проверять) багаж

e.g. They like to check your luggage in an hour before the flight.

3. to attach (put) a tag – наклеивать ярлык, бирку (к багажу).

e.g. I still have to put a tag on my valise.

3. to pack (stuff, throw smth in/into) a suitcase – собирать (набивать, бросать что-то) в чемодан.

e.g.: She stuffed a few clothes in a suitcase, grabbed his wallet and left.

17) to call (hail) a porter – позвать носильщика

e.g. On arriving at the station, we hailed a porter to carry the bags.

18. to wave vigourously (cheerfully, frantically) – махать энергично, оживленно, неистово.

e.g. They stood by the side of the road and waved frantically.

18. a fellow-passenger – попутчик

e.g. I soon got talking to my fellow passengers.

18. to take an easy (direct, circular, scenic) route – пойти легким (прямым, окольным) путем, по живописной местности.

e.g.: We had plenty of time, so we took the circular route.

21) to continue (resume, set out on) one’s journey – продолжать (возобновлять, отправляться) путешествие.

e.g. They continued their journey on foot.

18. to arrive at (reach) one’s destination – прибыть к месту назначения

e.g. At around 1.00 p.m. we reached our final destination.

18. to travel at high (half, low, full, discounted) fare – путешествовать за высокую цену, за полцены, за полную стоимость, со скидкой.

e.g. Children travel at half fare.

18. to travel light – путешествовать налегке.

e.g. She travels light, choosing to use as little equipment as possible.

18. during a stopover – во время остановки

e.g. During our two-day stopover in Bangkok we saw most of the sights.