Space Elevators

Challenge of connecting a 1)_____________ to earth by cable is significant.

To support its own weight, and be securely 2)_____________ at each end, cable would need phenomenal strength-to-weight ratio.

How could vehicles be 3)_____________ into space, up cable?

Self-contained energy source problematic, due to 4)_____________ (heavy fuel or batteries required to power vehicle).

Two possible ways round problem:

First. Transmit electricity 5)_____________. But technique is only at 6)__________ stage.

Second. Solar power. But would only allow vehicle to 7)________________ slowly. Not necessarily a problem, as car could be controlled 8)_____________, allowing it to transport 9)_____________ unmanned.

Task 17. Some space elevator designs propose an offshore base station. In pairs discuss how such a system might work using words in Task 1. What advantages might an offshore base have compared with a land base (onshore)?

Listening 4.2

Task 18. James goes on to discuss offshore base stations. Listen to the talk and answer the following questions.

Vocabulary:

anchor – якорь

1. How would an offshore base station be supported?

2. What would the function of its anchors be?

3. How would payloads reach the base station?

4. What problem would a mobile base station help to prevent?

5. What would the procedure be if there was an alert?

Task 19. You are members of a space elevator research team designing a concept for offshore base stations. In pairs, analyze the notes below, discuss the questions raised in the notes, and think of some suitable solutions for the anchoring system and the propulsion system. At this stage, these should be overall concepts, not detailed designs.

Notes:

Anchors?

Propulsion?

Strong winds?

How to move the base fast?

How to stop the base and fix its position in water?

In deep water or near the cost?

Task 20. In small groups, take turns to give a short talk using your notes to explain how the systems work, in general terms. Imagine you are speaking to a small group of colleagues, including your manager.

Task 21. Write two or three paragraphs to summarize your talk.

Module 4 Vocabulary List

(inter)stellar

a crew

a plane (not an airplane)

anchor

apparent

applicable

approximately

as a whole

bubble

bulk

celestial

clockwise

considerable

counterclockwise

criterion (pl criteria)

current

drawback

dwarf (pl dwarves)

enormous

exceeding

excessive

far-farther/ further -the farthest/ furthest

feasible

giant

immense

large/small-scale

lunar

massive

objective

payload

preliminary

reasonable

recessional velocity

scattered (disk)

significant

solar

spacecraft

substantial

supernova (pl supernovae)

terrestrial

to account for (something)

to achieve your aims/ a target/a goal

to ascend

to attach

to be comprised of

to come to / draw a conclusion

to descend

to do, conduct, carry out research

to expand

to expose

to float

to orbit (smth)

to outweigh

to point to smth

to raise

to reach

to revolve

to rise-rose-risen

to rotate

to stretch

to take into account

to weigh up

variables