A New Kind of Space Mission

/ 3rd Grade ELA / By

A New Kind of Space Mission

Earlier this month, in May of this year, something exciting happened in the world of space exploration. A special spacecraft named the Boeing Starliner blasted off from Earth on a very important test flight. Its destination? The International Space Station, a giant science lab that orbits high above our planet.

For years, NASA, America’s space agency, has been working with two companies to build new “space taxis.” These aren’t yellow cars, of course, but capsules designed to carry astronauts safely to and from the Space Station. One company, SpaceX, has already been successfully flying its Crew Dragon spacecraft. Now, it was Boeing’s turn to test its Starliner capsule with people on board.

This particular flight was called the Crew Flight Test. On board were two veteran NASA astronauts: Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams. They are both experienced pilots and have spent a lot of time in space before. Their job was not just to ride along, but to carefully check every part of the Starliner. They tested the seats, the controls, the computers, and even how the spacecraft flies by hand. Think of it like test-driving a brand new car model for the very first time, but instead of on a road, you’re doing it in space!

The launch from Florida went perfectly. The powerful Atlas V rocket roared to life and pushed the Starliner up through the sky. After a smooth ride into orbit, the astronauts began their journey to catch up with the Space Station, which zips around Earth at 17,500 miles per hour! A day after launch, the Starliner gently docked, or connected, to the station. The hatch opened, and Butch and Suni floated inside, where they were greeted by the seven astronauts already living there.

Their stay was planned to last about a week. During that time, the Starliner remained attached to the station like a new parked car. The astronauts continued to run tests on its systems to make sure everything worked just as engineers had planned back on Earth.

This mission is a huge step. It means that soon, NASA will have two different American spacecraft ready to regularly ferry astronauts to space. This is important because it gives NASA more options and helps make sure America always has a way to reach its orbiting laboratory.

Space missions teach us a lot about teamwork, engineering, and our universe. The success of tests like the Starliner’s brings us closer to future missions to the Moon and maybe even Mars one day. For now, we can cheer on astronauts like Butch and Suni, who help test these amazing machines in the final frontier: space.

Part A: Vocabulary in Context

Score: ___/5

Directions: Each vocabulary word from the article is listed below. Write the letter of the correct definition next to each word.

Vocabulary Words:

  1. ____ Spacecraft
  2. ____ Destination
  3. ____ Orbits
  4. ____ Astronauts
  5. ____ Mission

Definitions:
A) To travel in a curved path around a planet or star.
B) People who are trained to travel and work in a spacecraft.
C) An important task or job that someone is sent to do.
D) A vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space.
E) The place to which someone or something is going.

Part B: Multiple Choice Comprehension

Score: ___/5

Directions: Circle the letter of the best answer for each question.

  1. When did the Starliner spacecraft launch on its test flight?
    A) Last year
    B) Earlier this week
    C) In May of this year
    D) Last month
  2. What was the main purpose of the Starliner’s Crew Flight Test?
    A) To bring supplies to the Moon
    B) To test the new spacecraft with astronauts on board
    C) To build a new space station
    D) To bring the astronauts home from a long trip
  3. Who were the two people flying on the Starliner for this test?
    A) Two company engineers
    B) Two NASA astronauts named Butch and Suni
    C) Two pilots from the Air Force
    D) Two scientists from a university
  4. Where did the Starliner spacecraft go after it launched?
    A) To the Moon
    B) To Mars
    C) To the International Space Station
    D) It circled Earth and came right back
  5. Why is it important for NASA to have two different spacecraft, like Starliner and Crew Dragon?
    A) So they can race each other to space
    B) It gives NASA more options and a backup way to reach the Space Station
    C) Because one is for people and one is for cargo
    D) To make space travel cheaper for tourists

Part C: Short Answer Questions

Score: ___/10

Directions: Answer each question in complete sentences. Use details from the article.

  1. The article compares the Starliner test flight to “test-driving a brand new car.” How is this comparison accurate? Mention two ways.
  2. Describe what happened after the Starliner reached the International Space Station. What did the astronauts do?
  3. The last paragraph says these missions bring us “closer to future missions to the Moon and maybe even Mars.” How does testing the Starliner help prepare for that future?

Part D: Critical Thinking & Application

Score: ___/5

Directions: Think about the information in the article and answer the question below.

The article mentions that the International Space Station orbits Earth at 17,500 miles per hour. Why do you think it needs to travel so fast to stay in space? What might happen if it went slower?

Answer Key & Scoring Guide

Part A: Vocabulary Matching

  1. D – Spacecraft
  2. E – Destination
  3. A – Orbits
  4. B – Astronauts
  5. C – Mission

Scoring: 1 point each (5 points total)

Part B: Multiple Choice

  1. C) In May of this year
  2. B) To test the new spacecraft with astronauts on board
  3. B) Two NASA astronauts named Butch and Suni
  4. C) To the International Space Station
  5. B) It gives NASA more options and a backup way to reach the Space Station

Scoring: 1 point each (5 points total)

Part C: Short Answer (Sample Answers)

  1. The comparison is accurate because (1) both involve carefully checking and testing all the controls and systems, and (2) they are both the first time people are using the new vehicle to see how it performs.
  2. The Starliner docked, or connected, to the station. The hatch opened, and the astronauts floated inside to join the crew. They stayed for about a week, continuing to test the Starliner’s systems while it was attached.
  3. Testing new spacecraft like Starliner helps engineers learn what works and what doesn’t in space. This knowledge and reliable transportation are necessary building blocks for planning longer, more complex journeys to the Moon and Mars.

Scoring: Question 1 (3 points), Question 2 (3 points), Question 3 (4 points)

Part D: Critical Thinking (Sample Response)

It needs to travel that fast to achieve orbit. Orbit is a balance between falling toward Earth (because of gravity) and moving forward so fast that you keep missing it. If it went slower, gravity would pull it down, and it would fall back to Earth.

Scoring: 5 points for a logical, well-explained answer based on the concept of orbital mechanics

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