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Fachhochschulreife
Abschlussprfung 2009
Englisch
Seite 1 von 7
Fachhochschulreife
Abschlussprfung 2009
Englisch
The Breitling attempt didnt get off to a great start. On the day of the launch, March 1 st, the
winds at the launch site at Chateau DOex were very high, causing the balloon to bump
against the ground on take-off, damaging its video communications link with the ground crew.
Once in the air, Piccard and Jones had to go west for three days before finding a wind that
would carry them east on their route.
The flight, too, was not without crises. Piccard and Jones ran out of fresh supplies after five
days and had to eat rehydrated food instead; by the time they were also dirty, smelly and
exhausted. But the most dangerous part of the journey was the six days Piccard and Jones
spent over the Pacific, where the size of the ocean meant they could not be rescued in the
case of a forced landing. They also lost communications with their mission control for four
days during this crucial period. When contact was eventually resumed they were sailing very
close to the equator, where the winds poor and their speed had slackened off considerably.
The two pilots began to worry. The teams meteorologists told them to descend to catch the
jet stream and, although a little nervous, they did as they were advised, and their speed
started to increase.
The Orbiter 3 actually crossed the finishing line in the early hours on Saturday March 20 th,
but mission control wished to avoid a potentially dangerous night-time landing in the
Mauritanian desert. Piccard and Jones were therefore instructed to head for Egypt. When
we landed we were totally alone, says Jones. After deflating the balloon we went to sleep in
the gondola for two hours. Eight hours after landing they were picked up by a military
helicopter and taken to a small town called Mut.
The balloon was a bit of a mess, but the two men had finished a journey which, as the rules
dictated, covered at least two thirds of the Earths actual circumference, a distance of roughly
16,600 miles.
Seite 2 von 7
Fachhochschulreife
Abschlussprfung 2009
Englisch
Seite 3 von 7
Fachhochschulreife
Abschlussprfung 2009
Englisch
Why did Piccard and Jones become anxious over the Pacific?
A They had lost contact with mission control.
B They were flying very high.
C They had slowed down.
D No one came to rescue them.
Seite 4 von 7
Fachhochschulreife
Abschlussprfung 2009
Englisch
Part 2
He also foresees games played in weightless conditions including zerogravity basketball and air tennis.
And everyone will notice the effects of space adaption syndrome, which
affects ones sense of direction and causes bodily fluids to move towards the
head.
Tourists will soon be preparing to stay for several days in an orbiting space
hotel, such as the one designed by American construction company,
Gerard&Burns.
This lack of space is not the only discomfort the first guests will have to put up
with.
And more than a dozen small private companies in the US and Europe are
racing to do the same.
It will probably take some two years to assemble and fit out the hotel, which is
expected to travel about 200 miles above the planet.
But there are one or two potential problems which might make people think
twice before heading for space.
Not so long ago the idea of space travel for all was just a dream.
(given example)
Seite 5 von 7
Fachhochschulreife
Abschlussprfung 2009
Englisch
>
With the first short commercial passenger flights into space already fully booked, private
companies are now turning their attention to holidaymakers wanting to spend longer periods
of time outside the Earths atmosphere. 1)
>
The hotel will rotate as it orbits the Earth every 90 minutes, resulting in weightlessness at its
centre and 20 percent of normal gravity in all other areas.
2)
>
Mark Levy of Gerard&Burns says: We are currently working out what experiences we can
provide for the 200 guests which the hotel will accommodate a 30-minute space walk, for
example, or maybe one day an optional trip orbiting the Moon.
3)
>
Before that can happen engineers have to develop safe and low-cost spacecraft to transport
us there. NASA has already invested a billion dollars in a project to build a reusable space
vehicle.
>
and other space debris travelling at several thousand miles per hour could do serious
damage to spacecraft.
Even if they do manage to get there safely, many of the passengers are likely to suffer space
sickness: feel dizzy, sweat and maybe vomit.
6)
>
But for those who are prepared to put up with the lack of comfort in space, the view will
definitely make up for the drawbacks. From nowhere else can you appreciate the full size
and wonder of the Earth, says Mark Levy. Its a chance not to be missed.
7)
>
Seite 6 von 7
Fachhochschulreife
Abschlussprfung 2009
Englisch
Seite 7 von 7