SpaceX launches a top-secret spy satellite for NASA

Transcription

1 SpaceX launches a top-secret spy satellite for NASA By Christian Science Monitor, adapted by Newsela staff on Word Count 832 Level 1200L A SpaceX rocket sits on launch pad 39A as it is prepared for the NROL-76 launch on April 29, 2017, in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Photo by: Joe Raedle/Getty Images SpaceX is a private space company that typically launches communications satellites or scientific equipment into space. On Monday, SpaceX launched its latest Falcon 9 rocket into orbit. On this mission, however, the rocket carried a spy satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office, or NRO. The NRO is an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense. As such, the Monday launch marked the breaking of a 10-year monopoly on launching U.S. military and national security satellites previously held by the United Launch Alliance, or ULA, a partnership of Lockheed-Martin and Boeing. Low Orbit Launch By breaking the monopoly, the launch became something of a coup for both SpaceX and private space companies in general. Governmental organizations like NASA are increasingly turning to private companies. They handle tasks ranging from satellite This article is available at 5 reading levels at 1

2 deployment to human transportation into space, blurring the line between public and private space missions. However, the degree of responsibility given to private companies like SpaceX has risen considerably in recent years, according to Mariel Borowitz. Borowitz is a technology and space policy specialist and associate professor at the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at the Georgia Institute of Technology. In an , Borowitz explained that private space launch companies have been around for a while. The first one was Arianespace, launched in 1980, while the companies Orbital Sciences, Lockheed and Boeing have been part of private launch activities since the 1990s. Borowitz said that NASA now relies completely on private companies to launch cargo and crew into orbit close to Earth. Low Earth orbit is much more routine and safe for private companies to handle. This frees NASA to focus on developing new technologies that might help it send missions to Mars. "Without A Hitch" Of course, sending satellites and eventually astronauts into orbit for NASA is one thing. Sending a classified NRO satellite into space, however, carries a different set of challenges. For instance, SpaceX was not allowed to provide any details about the Falcon 9's cargo. They also gave no news about the rocket's planned path beyond confirming a second stage launch in mid-flight. In addition, the company was also required to cut off the broadcast of the launch after a few minutes, which is standard practice for NRO missions. Despite the lack of specifics and a brief delay, the launch appeared to go off without a hitch. The SpaceX team achieved even the mission's secondary goal of returning the booster to Earth to be used again later. The reusable rocket booster is a feature the company has promoted as an example of the cost-effective and innovative features of commercial rockets. Working With NASA Borowitz explained that using a private company allows NASA to make use of its new developments and special capabilities. She also said that using multiple companies creates competition between them, which keeps costs down for the government. Private developments and competition have their benefits. However, Borowitz says, the government no longer has such precise control over the design of new launch vehicles. This means that SpaceX, ULA, and other launch providers still have to work closely with NASA to ensure safety and meet other requirements. "It is important to keep in mind that these arrangements are truly public-private partnerships, especially in the case of launching humans," Borowitz adds. "NASA gains significant benefits by working with the private sector, but the private sector also would not be able to succeed without support from NASA." This article is available at 5 reading levels at 2

3 Space Tourism This relationship can be extremely profitable for companies sending satellites into space. However, companies like SpaceX also have their sights on space tourism. They want to put ordinary consumers into orbit and beyond. Commercial space travel has lingered tantalizingly on the horizon for years, but there are a number of obstacles to overcome before it can finally become a reality, says Jeffrey Forrest, head of the Aviation and Aerospace Science department at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Space tourism will not be as easy to run as airline travel, says Forrest. In an , he wrote, "Passengers will need training and medical screening. The environment of zerogravity, even for short periods of time, can be tenuous on folks, even highly trained astronauts. Long-term space flight is far more challenging." Borowitz thinks there is hope. She says that at one time it would have been daunting for a spaceflight startup to do what SpaceX is doing. Carrying cargo for NASA and the Department of Defense would have been out of a private company's reach. Borowitz explained that when SpaceX and Orbital Sciences were chosen, they had not yet developed or flown the kinds of aircraft proposed by NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Program. She added that the companies have met important milestones in their development of space launch technology. Borowitz said she is confident they will soon be launching humans to the International Space Station, where a multinational crew of astronauts work and live. From there, commercial companies will soon be able to transport not just astronauts but private space tourists too. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 3

4 Quiz 1 Read the selection from the section "Space Tourism." However, companies like SpaceX also have their sights on space tourism. They want to put ordinary consumers into orbit and beyond. Commercial space travel has lingered tantalizingly on the horizon for years, but there are a number of obstacles to overcome before it can finally become a reality, says Jeffrey Forrest, head of the Aviation and Aerospace Science department at the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Which phrases from the selection provide context for the meaning of "tantalizingly"? companies like SpaceX; space tourism ordinary consumers; orbit and beyond space travel; number of obstacles on the horizon; finally become a reality 2 Read the sentence from the section "Low Orbit Launch." They handle tasks ranging from satellite deployment to human transportation into space, blurring the line between public and private space missions. What is the meaning of the phrase "blurring the line" as it is used above? making the answer unclear making it difficult to separate eliminating any differences eliminating companies' power This article is available at 5 reading levels at 4

5 3 Which answer choice BEST explains the author's purpose in writing this article? to inform readers how the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket marks an important milestone for private companies' missions to space to persuade readers to support private sector space exploration with the hope of someday going to space themselves to advise readers about important changes taking place in government space programs that are going to affect them directly to convince readers that long-term spaceflight and tourism are possible only if companies like SpaceX work with the government 4 Fill in the blank. Mariel Borowitz is MOST enthusiastic about the profitability that private space companies like SpaceX are creating in the market. the benefits to the public and private sectors from partnerships like SpaceX and NASA. the potential for SpaceX and Orbital Sciences to create commercial space travel. the achievement of the goal to recover a reusable rocket booster to be used again later. This article is available at 5 reading levels at 5