Page 52 - @ccess 2 Reader´s Book
P. 52

How Does NASA Use Rockets?

              Early NASA missions used rockets built by the military. Alan
              Shepard became the first American in space flying on the
              U.S. Army's Redstone rocket.
                                                                  missile
              The Atlas missile was used to make John            (n.): misil,
                                                                 proyectil
              Glenn the first American to orbit Earth. NASA's
              Gemini missions used the Titan II missile to launch
              astronauts. The first rockets NASA built to launch astronauts
              were the Saturn I, the Saturn IB and the Saturn V.

              Apollo missions used these to send men to the
              Moon. A Saturn V launched the Skylab space station.
              The space shuttle also uses rocket engines to carry
              astronauts into space.

              NASA uses rockets to launch satellites and to send probes to
              other worlds. These rockets include the Atlas V, the Delta II,
              the Pegasus and Taurus. NASA also uses smaller "sounding
              rockets" for scientific research. These rockets go up and
              come back down, instead of flying into orbit.


              How Will NASA Use Rockets in the Future?

              New rockets are being developed today that will launch
              astronauts on future missions. Compared to the
              space shuttle, these rockets will look more like earlier
              rockets - tall and round-topped and thin. These rockets
              will take astronauts and supplies to the International
              Space Station.

              NASA also is working on a powerful new rocket called a
              heavy lift vehicle. This rocket will be able to carry large
              amounts of equipment into space. Together, the heavy lift
              vehicle and other rockets will make it possible to explore
              other worlds and may someday send humans to Mars.


                                                          Reader's Book    51
   47   48   49   50   51   52   53   54   55   56   57