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science 8
space tools
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| thrust | the force that propels an aircraft or missile |
| cosmonaut | astronaut of the former Soviet Union or present-day Russian space program |
| telescope | an instrument that can magnify the size of distant objects |
| orbit | curved path followed by a satellite as it revolves around an object |
| space shuttle | reusable spacecraft that can carry cargo, astronauts, and satellites to and from space |
| space station | large facility with living quarters,work and exercise areas, equipment, support system for humans to live and work in space and conduct research |
| space probe | instrument that travels far into the solar system and gathers data to send back to Earth |
| satellite | any natural or artificial object that revolves around another object |
| project mercury | 1 step in the US program to reach the Moon that orbited a piloted space craft around Earth and brought it back safely |
| project gemini | 2 step in the US program to reach the Moon in which an astronaut team connected with another spacecraft in orbit |
| project apollo | final stage in US program to reach the Moon in which Neil Armstrong was the first human to step onto the Moon's surface |
| refracting telescope | optical telescope that uses a double convex lens to bend light and form an image at the focal point |
| reflecting telescope | optical telescope that uses a concave mirror to focus light and form an image at the focal point |
| rocket | special engine that can work in space and burn liquid and solid fuel |
| radio telescope | collects and records radio waves traveling through space;can be used day or night under most weather conditions |
| observatory | building that can house an optical telescope; often has a dome-shaped roof that can be opened for viewing |