NASA to create a standard time for the moon
Listen to the story (New Zealand accent)
The US government asked NASA to make a standard time for the moon and space. The US wants rules in space because more countries and companies are interested in the moon.
NASA must make a plan by 2026. The new time system will be called Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC).
Gravity in space and on the moon is different, so time is different. LTC will help spaceships and satellites be on time.
NASA wants to build a moon base and go to Mars. Many countries and companies are working on these projects. Without LTC, data and communication on the moon will be hard.
Most clocks on Earth use Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). UTC is controlled by special clocks called atomic clocks.
Maybe we will need atomic clocks on the moon too. LTC will be important for businesses and operations on the moon.
Countries must agree to make Coordinated Lunar Time.
Vocabulary17 words
- Government
- the group of people who have the authority to make and enforce laws and manage a country or region; the people/group that manage and operate a country
- Standard
- a set of rules or guidelines that are commonly accepted or followed
- Space
- the area outside of Earth with stars and darkness; ?
- Rule
- A guideline or regulation; sometimes a law; A guide that tells us what we should or shouldn’t do
- Interested in
- want to learn more about something or think something is cool/exciting
- Plan
- A detailed idea or strategy to reach a goal; a method, idea or process to achieve a goal
- System
- A way things work together; a set of connected things or devices that operate together
- Gravity
- An invisible force that pulls things down; The force that makes things fall to the ground
- Spaceship
- A vehicle designed/made for space travel; ?
- Satellite
- a machine in space that flies around the world; a computer in space that sends information to Earth
- Base
- a place that is the center of operations; camp; headquarters; site; center
- Project
- A planned and organized task or job; A planned piece of work that has a specific purpose; A big task or job that needs planning and effort
- Data
- Information or facts that are collected and stored/kept
- Controlled by
- When something is managed or directed by someone or something else
- Atomic clock
- A type of clock that uses the vibrations of atoms to measure time very accurately
- Operation
- A planned and organized project/mission, especially a military or medical one
- Agree
- To have the same opinion or feeling as someone else; to say “yes” to something
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The US government _____ NASA to make a standard time for the moon and _____. The US wants rules in space because more countries and _____ are interested in the moon.
NASA _____ make a plan by 2026. The new time system will be _____ Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC).
Gravity in space and _____ the moon is different, so time is different. LTC will _____ spaceships and satellites be on time.
NASA _____ to build a moon base and go to Mars. _____ countries and companies are working on these projects. Without LTC, _____ and communication on the moon will be hard.
_____ clocks on Earth use Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). UTC is _____ by special clocks called atomic clocks.
Maybe we _____ need atomic clocks on the moon too. LTC will be _____ for businesses and operations on the moon.
Countries must _____ to make Coordinated Lunar Time.
Discussion questions
- Do you think it's important to have a standard time system on the moon or in space? Why or why not?
- Why do countries need to agree to make Coordinated Lunar Time?
- What will Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC) help with?
- Why do you think NASA wants to build a moon base and go to Mars?
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