Hey there! Today, we’re going to learn about how people travel to space using simple words. Going to space is a big challenge because Earth pulls everything toward it. To get to space, you have to fight against this pull and move really fast to the side. This way, when you fall back toward Earth, you miss it and keep going around. That’s how you stay in space!
The best way to reach space is by using something called an “up-goer.” This is a special machine that burns “fire-water” to push itself up. Fire-water is usually made from old plants and animals or a type of air that can burn. When the fire-water burns, it hits the inside of the up-goer so hard that it pushes the up-goer up and away from where the fire comes out.
If the fire-end of the up-goer points toward space, that’s a problem because you won’t go to space that day. Up-goers often have several parts that burn fire-water. Once one part is out of fire-water, it can be dropped so the up-goer doesn’t have to carry it all the way to space.
Space is super cold and has no air, so if you want to live there, you need an up-goer with a special room for people. This room is usually on top of the up-goer and has heaters, air, and no holes to keep you alive. It also has a window so you can enjoy the view of Earth from space. The room has thick sides to protect you when you come back to Earth, so you don’t burn up from all the air you hit on the way down.
To slow down even more when returning, big sheets called parachutes are used to catch air and help you land safely.
We always have some up-goers ready to go to space, but you can’t just hop into one. You need permission from many important people. Before they say “OK,” you have to prepare for years. If you want to be like astronauts who went to space before, you should learn to fly planes and be really good at it. You also need to see and hear well and stay healthy. There are many other skills you need, and you have to be lucky too!
If you’re good, lucky, and get the “OK” from important people, maybe you can go to space someday!
If you enjoyed learning about space in simple words, you might like the book “Thing Explainer” by the creator of XKCD. It’s a fun book with cool drawings that explain confusing stuff in easy words. You can find it in bookstores or online. If you liked this guide, let me know and share it with your friends!
Thanks for reading!
Gather some simple materials like cardboard, paper, and glue to create your own model of an “up-goer.” Think about how the different parts work together to reach space. Share your model with the class and explain how it works!
Imagine you are an astronaut preparing for a space mission. Design a space suit that would keep you safe in space. Consider what materials you would use and how you would protect yourself from the cold and lack of air. Present your design to the class.
Get into groups and role-play a day in the life of an astronaut. Think about the challenges you might face and how you would solve them. Share your experience with the class and discuss what skills are important for astronauts.
Research the history of space travel and create a timeline that highlights key events and milestones. Use drawings or pictures to make your timeline visually engaging. Present your timeline to the class and discuss the evolution of space travel.
Use your imagination to write a short story about a space adventure. Include details about how you would travel to space, what you would see, and any challenges you might encounter. Share your story with the class and enjoy listening to others’ adventures.
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite area beyond Earth’s atmosphere where stars and planets exist. – Example sentence: Scientists use telescopes to study the stars and planets in space.
Earth – The third planet from the Sun, which is our home and the only known planet to support life. – Example sentence: Earth is covered with water, land, and a protective atmosphere that supports life.
Up-goer – A simple term for a rocket or spacecraft that travels upwards into space. – Example sentence: The up-goer launched from the space center, carrying satellites into orbit.
Fire-water – A playful term for a rocket’s fuel, which combines elements to create a powerful reaction. – Example sentence: The engineers carefully mixed the fire-water to ensure the rocket would launch safely.
Air – The invisible mixture of gases that surrounds Earth and is essential for breathing and weather. – Example sentence: Air is made up mostly of nitrogen and oxygen, which are vital for life on Earth.
Astronauts – People trained to travel and work in space. – Example sentence: Astronauts aboard the International Space Station conduct experiments to learn more about living in space.
Parachutes – Devices used to slow down the descent of an object or person through the air. – Example sentence: Parachutes are crucial for safely landing astronauts returning from space missions.
Cold – A low temperature, especially in space where there is no atmosphere to hold heat. – Example sentence: Space is extremely cold, so astronauts wear special suits to keep warm.
Safe – Free from danger or risk, especially important in space travel. – Example sentence: Engineers work hard to make sure that all space missions are safe for the astronauts.
View – The ability to see something, especially from a particular place or position. – Example sentence: The view of Earth from space is breathtaking and shows the planet’s beauty.
