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