Page 132 - English Reader - 6

rocket and continues the journey upward to any destination without any
friction because there is nothing, not even air, to slow down its speed.

Space travel raises many problems. The

first is the problem of refueling and
supplies. This will be accomplished by

means of a floating platform round the

earth on which supplies of all kinds

will be stored and this will be used for
landing and repairing purposes. This

inter¬planetary station will be the

first stage. We may need many such

inter¬planetary stations if we attempt
long voyages to distant planets like the

Mars.

Another problem is that of weightlessness. Once we escape the gravity
of the earth we will cease to have any weight. We will be able to walk

on the roof or walls like an ant. In that case we will need magnet in our

shoes to keep us tied to the iron floors. All our tables, chairs, etc., will

have to be nailed or they will start flying like a magician’s work.

Food is the third problem. It will not be possible for us to eat or drink

anything in the usual way. Since there will be no gravity, it will not be

possible to push the food down our throats by the common method of
putting it into our mouth. Food will have to be taken in tubes such as

we use for toothpaste purposes. It will have to be put in the mouth and

pulled down into the stomach by practice.

132 Dolphin English Reader Book 6