CHAPTER 4 TITAN

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Chapter 4 BEFORE READING ACTIVITY      

The following  words have been taken from chapter 4. What do you think it's going to happen in this part of the story?
APPROACHING
BELTS
ATMOSPHERE
FRICTION
BANG
 
  I think __________________________________________________________________

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CHAPTER 4
TITAN

TITAN

 Titan was not very large. Its diameter was about 5,830 km. A rotation on its surface lasted 18 hours and it revolved round Saturn in 16 days. Its gravity was 1 point under the Earth's gravity. The centre of Titan had very high temperatures and it might be extremely thick.
"Be ready for the last part of the Turning Operation." Said Eddy. "We are very near Titan's ground. We are approaching at a speed three times that of sound. Weather conditions on Titan's surface are bad. Winds at a speed of 120 kph, thick fog and very low temperature. Ignition of landing thrust in 60 seconds."
"Roger, Eddy." Told Dame. "We're going to the control cabin"

Temperature on Titan's surface was 178 degrees below zero, but this was the only satellite that had atmosphere. This atmosphere was essential to allow human beings to breath and it protected any living creature against ultraviolet rays. No living organism could live without it. Titan's atmosphere, however, was composed of methane, nitrogen, ethane, hydrogen cyanide, carbon dioxide, oxygen and water vapour.

"Thirty seconds to go." Eddy told. "Fasten safety belts."
"Let's sit down. How are you, Tow?"
"Fine thanks, Dame. Are you ready?"
"Yes I am."
"Fifteen seconds... fourteen... thirteen... twelve... eleven... ten... nine... eight... seven... six... five... four... three... two... one... ignition. Spaceship turning round to horizontal position... Operation completed. Twenty minutes for landing. Speed decreasing. Thermic shield working."
 The ship was now entering Titan's atmosphere. The friction with the atmosphere caused an overheating all over Scud's outside. Vibrations were getting stronger and stronger.
"It's hot in here." Said Tow.
"Yes it is. Eddy!" Called Dame. "Show all indicators on screen."
"O.K. Dame."
 Eddy's screen was now full of meters, gauges and figures.
"Look at that! A thousand centigrade degrees outside."
"Don't worry." Told Eddy. "The Scud will resist."
"Fifteen minutes for landing."
 Suddenly, a bang was heard and the spaceship begun to fall without any control.