Think and answer

D. Think and answer.

“The explorer in this story is travelling to another galaxy. The final destination is an  unknown planet in another galaxy. The travel will take many years”. What qualities and lifeskills do you think an explorer like him must possess? Why? Do you have any of these skills and qualities? Explain.

The qualities and life skills an explorer like him need to possess:

Regardless of one's position, an astronaut needs certain qualities for the selection process and space travel.

• Intelligence : Astronauts need above average intelligence.

• Adaptability : Astronauts have many responsibilities in space.

• Education : The basic requirement is a bachelor's degree in engineering, biological science, physical science or mathematics followed by three years of professional experience (or 100 hours of pilot - in - command time in jet air craft) candidate also must pass NASA's astronaut physical examination.

Physical requirements :

• Distant visual acuity : 20 / 100 or better uncorrected, correctable to 20 / 20 each eye.

• Blood Pressure : 140 / 90 measure in a sitting position.

• Height between 62 and 75 inches. (5" 2" and 6" 3")

Mental Endurance :

An astronaut has to undergo a psychological evaluation to determine the fitness to fly on a mission of NASA or ISRO.

About myself:

Regarding intelligence I am an average student at present. I shall maintain it in my higher studies too to prove to be a candidate with high IQ. I am good at maths and physical requirements science, subjects including computer science. My blood pressure is normal.

• I have 20/20 normal eyesight in both eyes.

• I may have the normal height of 5 feet 5 inch when turn out to be a youth.

Mental Endurance :

I possess the mental endurance. I have never been short tempered. I have the adaptability and the responsibilities to perform the allotted duties.

E. Based on the understanding of the story, discuss in groups and make a note of the following.

The story of a young astronaut who wants to hear his mother's voice which is still young and ringing. The astronaut and his mother are on the moon. She has gone there for the first time. She admires the moonscape. However she wants to live on the earth. She is also against people who are interested in exploration of neighbouring planets. The astronaut is ready to leave for another planet. It may take many years to reach the destination. The mother is worried that her son will lose his friends and relatives.

Characters:

A young astronaut

The mother of the astronaut

People who are on the moon

Plot :The moon is the plot. The astronaut and his mother are on the moon. She is astonished to see strange space ships and people planning to go on expedition to the neighbouring galaxy. The long tunnels and enormous lily - shaped tent over a center with a diameter of one kilometre surprise the mother. She admires the moonscape. She also praises the wonderful life on the earth.

Conclusion :

The mother is excited to see the strange things as the moon. She is also surprised to see the people who are busy to leave for another planet. The mother wonders why the people are planning to other planets ever before setting on the moon. She pleads her son to visit the earth during Autumn. But the astronaut is quite sure that he cannot see his mother again. He has got the command to leave for another planet. The mother who longs to see her son will have only a disappointment. It will take a long number of years for the mother and her son to meet again.

Do you know?

* On October 2008, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) launched its first unmanned Lunar Space Probe "Chandrayaan-1".

* India became the fourth nation to place its flag on the

Moon and collected soils and detected water-ice on the

Moon for the first time using Minerology mapper

 * On August 28, 2009 the mission ended as the probe stopped sending radio signals.