There is no gravity in space. That means that very simple jobs are complicated.
*Shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane says that a simple job like changing the batteries
in a Walkman can take five times longer in space! The astronaut floats, the old
and new batteries and the machine float, all in different directions!
Inside the Space Shuttle, there are controls on all the surfaces, and astronauts
use Velcro to attach themselves or other objects. There are special *cupboards
for sleeping, or astronauts can use sleeping bags they attach to the wall, ceiling
or floor!
Astronauts have individual menus of dehydrated foods and normal foods like biscuits
or chocolate. Eating is quite easy, but astronauts can only drink with straws.
Drinks are in bags. People always ask astronauts how they go to the toilet. The
answer is "with difficulty"! There is one toilet for the seven or eight
astronauts and it resembles a *vacuum cleaner.
VOCABULARY
a shuttle = une navette
a cupboard = un placard
a straw = une paille
a vacuum cleaner = un aspirateur
QUESTIONS
A. This text is about 1) everyday life in space
2) Mike Mullane's life
3) the technical aspects of a space shuttle
B. Where do astronauts sleep? 1) in beds
2) in sleeping bags/special cupboards
3) they don't sleep; they take vitamins
C. What do they eat? 1) straws
2) dehydrated food
3) they can't eat; they can only drink
