Hello everyone! Today, we’re diving into the fascinating world of space science. Let’s explore an incredible story about an astronaut’s journey and how it helps us understand more about space and our own bodies.
Imagine spending almost a whole year floating above the Earth in space! That’s exactly what American astronaut Scott Kelly did. He spent 340 days orbiting our planet, and now he’s back home. But his mission isn’t over yet. Scientists are eager to learn how living in space for so long has affected his body.
Here’s where it gets even more interesting: Scott has an identical twin brother named Mark, who stayed on Earth during Scott’s mission. Because they are identical twins, they have the same genetic makeup. This means scientists can compare Scott and Mark to see how space travel changes things like their organs, brain function, and digestion.
By studying Scott and Mark, scientists can gather valuable information that will help NASA prepare for future space missions. This research is crucial for planning longer trips, like those to Mars and beyond. Understanding how space affects the human body will help keep astronauts healthy on these long journeys.
Scott Kelly recently retired from NASA after spending a total of 520 days in space during his career. His experiences and the data collected from his missions are paving the way for the next generation of astronauts. Thanks to Scott and Mark’s contributions, we’re getting closer to exploring more of our solar system.
Thank you for joining us on this exciting adventure into space science. If you’re interested in learning more, you can catch more fascinating topics on the Science Channel or watch online. Remember, the universe is full of wonders waiting to be discovered, so keep exploring and stay curious!
Imagine you are an astronaut like Scott Kelly. Write a diary entry describing a day in your life aboard the International Space Station. Include details about your daily routine, experiments you might conduct, and how you feel being away from Earth. Share your diary with the class and discuss the challenges and excitement of living in space.
Create a poster for a future space mission to Mars. Include information about the mission’s goals, the spacecraft, and the astronauts involved. Use your creativity to design visuals that capture the excitement of space exploration. Present your poster to the class and explain why your mission is important for the future of space travel.
In pairs, simulate a twin study like Scott and Mark Kelly’s. Choose a simple activity, such as a memory test or a physical exercise, and perform it under two different conditions (e.g., one partner does it after resting, the other after a brief exercise). Record and compare your results to understand how different conditions can affect performance.
Research how microgravity affects the human body. Create a presentation or a short video explaining these effects, such as muscle atrophy and bone density loss. Include visuals or demonstrations to help your classmates understand the challenges astronauts face in space and how they overcome them.
Prepare a list of questions you would like to ask an astronaut or a space scientist. Conduct a mock interview with a classmate acting as the expert. Focus on topics such as the importance of space research, the future of space travel, and personal experiences in the field. Share your interview with the class and discuss what you learned.
Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
—
Hello everyone, I’m Trace, and welcome to DNews. I am very proud to introduce the President of the United States.
Hi everyone, this is President Barack Obama. I’m a big advocate for science, and all week long on the Science Channel, I’ll be discussing important and fascinating topics.
After 340 days orbiting the Earth, American astronaut Scott Kelly has returned home safely. However, Scott’s mission isn’t over. For the next two years, scientists will study how a year in space has affected his body. They have a very accurate baseline to work from, as Scott’s identical twin brother, Mark, remained on Earth during that time. Because their genetic makeups are identical, scientists can examine the differences in their organs, brain function, digestion, and more. The findings will help NASA prepare for even longer missions, including those to Mars and beyond.
Scott recently retired from NASA after a record 520 days in space, but his journey is helping us prepare the next generation of American astronauts for their own missions. On behalf of the American people, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to Scott and Mark for their contributions to science and our country.
Thank you for watching DNews. Please take a moment to subscribe, and also catch President Obama on Science Presents DNews every night this week at 9/8 central on the Science Channel, or you can watch it right here on our YouTube page.
—
This version maintains the core message while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Space – The vast, seemingly infinite area beyond Earth’s atmosphere where stars, planets, and other celestial bodies exist. – Example sentence: Scientists use telescopes to study the mysteries of space and learn more about distant galaxies.
Science – The systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation and experiment. – Example sentence: Science helps us understand how the universe works, from the smallest particles to the largest galaxies.
Astronaut – A person who is trained to travel and work in space. – Example sentence: The astronaut prepared for months before embarking on the mission to the International Space Station.
Earth – The third planet from the Sun, which is home to all known life forms. – Example sentence: From space, Earth appears as a beautiful blue and green planet, covered with oceans and forests.
Mission – A specific task or operation assigned to a person or group, often involving space exploration. – Example sentence: The mission to Mars aims to gather data about the planet’s surface and atmosphere.
NASA – The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, a U.S. government agency responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research. – Example sentence: NASA launched a new satellite to study climate change and its effects on Earth.
Twins – Two offspring produced by the same pregnancy, often used in space research to study the effects of space travel on the human body. – Example sentence: NASA’s twin study compared the health of an astronaut who spent a year in space with his twin brother who remained on Earth.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Example sentence: Research conducted on the International Space Station helps scientists understand how microgravity affects human health.
Mars – The fourth planet from the Sun, known for its reddish appearance and potential to support life. – Example sentence: Scientists are eager to explore Mars to determine if it once had conditions suitable for life.
Solar – Relating to or determined by the Sun, often used to describe energy harnessed from sunlight. – Example sentence: Solar panels on spacecraft convert sunlight into electricity to power their instruments.
