An astronaut travels into space aboard a rocket. Astronauts eat pre-packaged meals and drink water produced by the space shuttle since they do not take water with them. Scientists are searching for water on other planets and moons like Europa because water is essential for life and could allow humans to live in space long-term.

1. SPACE

2. An astronaut travels into
space.

3. We all live on Earth.

4. Alpha Centauri is the
name of a star.

5. There’s an American space
shuttle called Columbia .

6. In 1969, the American
astronaut Neil Armstrong
walked on the Moon.

7. The sun is at the centre of
our Solar system.

8. Astronauts sometimes
travel in a rocket.

9. In science fiction films,
astronauts often meet an
alien.

10. Mercury is a planet in our
Solar system.

12. Astronauts often stay in
space for days or even
weeks. They work hard, so
a healthy diet is very
important. They take their
food with them in a rocket.

13. For example, NASA
astronauts on the
American space shuttle
can choose from a menu of
seventy different
breakfasts, lunches and
dinners.

14. The Japanese astronaut
Mamoru Mohri always
takes some Japanese food.
They don’t take any water
with them, but that isn’t a
problem. The space shuttle
makes water!

15. So why are scientists
looking for water in other
parts of our Solar system?
The answer is simple.
Water is essential for life.

16. The existance of water means
that plants can grow – and
plants provide us with food.
With food and water, humans
can live in space for longer
periods of time – perhaps
permanently!

17. Apart from Earth, most of
the planets in our Solar
system are too hot or too
cold for water. But there
are other possibilities.

18. Scientists are exploring the
surface of the Moon. And
they also think that there is
some water on Europa, one
of Jupiter’s moons. Perhaps
there are some plants on
Europa, too – some food for
astronauts of the future!

19. How many different types of
food can astronauts eat on
the space shuttle?
Seventy

20. What does Mamoru Mohri
take with him on the space
shuttle?
Some Japanese food.

21. Why don’t the astronauts
take any water on the space
shuttle?
Because the space shuttle
makes water.

22. Why isn’t there any water
on most other planets?
Because they are too hot or
too cold.

23. What is Europa?
It is one of Jupiter’s moons.

24. SPACE QUIZ

25. How many planets are
there in the Solar system?
Nine.

26. How much water do space
shuttle astronauts take with
them into space?
0 litres.

27. How many moons has
Jupiter got?
Sixteen.

28. How many hours do
astronauts usually sleep
every night?
Eight hours.

29. How many stars are there in
the Universe,
approximately?
Four hundred billion.

30. How much money does
NASA cost the USA every
year?
Fourteen billion dollars.