ACTIVIDADES NUEVAS

LENGUAS 601

TRADUCCIÓN INGLÉS-ESPAÑOL

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Satellites are Objects in Space that Orbit Planets

Satellites are objects in space that orbit planets. There are natural satellites, like the moon, and man-made satellites that humans launch into space, like the ones that provide television and telephone service.

In the 1950s, both the United States and the Soviet Union decided to try rocketing objects into space that could be used as spy monitoring devices or maybe as weapons. The very first satellite propelled into space by humans was the Russian-made Sputnik 1, launched in 1957. Today there are thousands of satellites circling Earth.

"We are taught, 'What goes up must come down,' but a satellite doesn't. How does that work?," asked Geza Gyuk, director of the Adler Planetarium in Chicago.

Satellites reach space because they are propelled by rockets that reach speeds of almost 20 thousand miles per hour. Once in space, Gyuk said, "It is constantly 'falling' to the Earth, but it moves sideways so quickly that the Earth curves away beneath it faster than it can fall. Thus it remains in orbit, never hitting the ground."

Satellites that circle the Earth are called geocentric. Satellites that circle the sun are called heliocentric; those that circle the galaxy are called galactocentric and those circling Mars are called areocentric.

Satellites are put into space for a number of different purposes.

"Most satellites derive their usefulness from their position," Gyuk said. "For example, a weather satellite up in geosynchronous orbit, 22,200 miles above Earth, can see about 40 percent of the Earth's surface at once. So a set of only a few satellites can track storms across the entire world or provide communications over many thousands of miles."

Gyuk explained that GPS satellites are used to aid in navigation on Earth.

"Low orbiting satellites sweep around the world every 90 minutes, and in the right orbit can fly over the whole Earth and take pictures every few days. If one wants to monitor how healthy crops are, track forest fires, or of course spy on enemies, a group of satellites like that can be very helpful."

How are satellites powered once they are launched into space? "Most satellites use solar power to produce electricity. A few use nuclear power," Gyuk said.

 

 

 

 China's Economy

 

China is planning on opening a modern version of the ancient Silk Road. The new route is called One Belt, One Road. The land route, called “Silk Road Economic Belt” will link China with Central Asia and Europe, while the sea route, called “Maritime Silk Road” is expected to lead through Pakistan to the Arabian Sea. In Europe the route will lead as far as Venice and Rotterdam. China wants to invest a total of over $100 billion into the new project.

China hopes that the new Silk Road will improve its influence in Asia.  Chinese officials desperately want to connect to the rest of the world. They see the Silk Road project as a long term investment plan. The new route is expected to bring an economic boost for China’s trade with the west. The project calls for the construction of modern highways, railroad lines and pipelines to the west. It will offer Chinese construction companies thousands of new jobs.

The original Silk Road was a network of ancient paths that connected the Europe and the Far East. It led through deserts and mountainous regions. The road originally got its name from trading silk between China and Europe.

For China, building such an economic route may also bring peace to China’s western provinces. Xinjiang, anautonomous region in the north-western part of the country, has often stated that it wants to break awayfrom China.

Central Asian countries would, no doubt also profit from the new Chinese economic adventure. Some see the new Silk road as a chance to get closer to Europe. On the other hand, European Union officials are worried that Turkey and other countries in the region may intensify their economic ties with China.Especially Turkey is wary about failed attempts to establish closer ties with the EU.