8 . Directions: Complete the following passage by using the words in the box. Each word can only be used once. Note that there is one word more than you need.
A. predicts B. operation C. employ D. limited E. studies
F. environmentally G. willing H. similar I. typically J. necessary K. estimate |
We’re waiting to take trips to outer space. When will it happen? According to individuals in the growing field of space tourism, it may be in five or fifty years.
Space Adventures is taking reservations for the flights, 1 to the first manned spaceflights. The trip will cost $90,000, with a $6,000 deposit required. More than 200 people have made reservations, said Sarah, Dalton, the company spokeswoman.
John Spencer of the Space Tourism Society says that a more realistic 2 for regular space travel is 50 years. Issues of expense, difficulty, and danger must still be solved. Oh yes — a reusable vehicle must also be invented. He adds, however, that ten years from now, a 3 number of people may be able to visit a space station. He says he expects a fleet of private space vehicles to be in 4 in 20 to 25 years. After that, there will be cruise lines, like those that travel the Earth’s oceans, as well as space hotels and resorts.
There have been only a few 5 to determine the public’s interest in space tourism, but they all conclude that most people would like to visit space and would be 6 to pay good money for it. According to expert Patrick Collins, between 5 million and 20 million people will head for space by 2030. He also 7 100 flights a day leaving Earth. It would be 8 to have more than 100 hotels in Earth’s orbit, a few more orbiting the moon, and a few on the moon’s surface. These hotels would 9 more than 100,000 people, who would work month-long shifts. Each hotel would have a service station. Such service stations would provide oxygen, water, and hydrogen. They might also ship 10 safe electric power back to Earth.
If all the issues can be solved, Collins says that space tourism could one day become a $1 trillion.
