The Space Mission Adventure Read Online Free PDF

a feeling thatthis shiny green thing has some special meaning.”
    Rico looked at the object closely, then tapped it on the bench to listen to the sound it made. “I think it’s made of metal, but I can’t really tell. It’s not rock, either—at least I don’t think it is. Where did you find it, Ziggy?”
    â€œI found it by the moonwalk simulator, and I think it came from outer space,” Ziggy stated.
    Rico, Jerome, and Rashawn shook their heads in disbelief. Team America had finished the simulation, and Samantha called them all to head for lunch.
    â€œAll we have to do is figure out why it’s here.” Ziggy carefully put the oddly shaped green thing back into his pocket.

AFTER LUNCH AND JUST BEFORE THEIR MISSION, Samantha took Team America outside for a little fresh air and to prep them for their pretend journey into space. “Are there any questions?” she asked.
    â€œWe saw what it was like to walk on the moon,” Rico said, “but what does it feel like to be weightless? Does it feel like you’re floating?”
    â€œWell, I’ve never been lucky enough to actually fly in space,” Samantha replied, “but the astronauts I’ve spoken to tell me that sometimes weightlessness makes them throw up, and that it’s hard to adjust to being able to lift heavy objects with no effort.”
    â€œCan you sneeze in space?” Rashawn wanted to know.
    â€œI’m sure you can,” Samantha answered. “But I bet you can’t guess what happens to the liquid that would come out of your nose.” She grinned at the group.
    â€œTell us!” they demanded eagerly. Nicolina, a petite girl with a quiet smile, put her hand over her ears, pretending she didn’t want to hear.
    â€œEverything liquid in space, from water to fruit juice to mucus—even urine . . . ,” Samantha began.
    â€œYucko, mon!” Ziggy said, making a face.
    â€œ. . . forms into perfectly round balls. All the molecules are pulling on one another, so you see, with no gravity, a force we call surface tension makes the liquids ball up.”
    â€œHey, since you brought it up, I gotta know this,” Ziggy said slowly. “How do astronauts go to the bathroom, mon?”
    â€œI wondered the same thing,” Jerome admitted, “but I didn’t want to ask.”
    â€œEven I don’t know the answer to that one,” Cubby said.
    Samantha smiled as she looked at the group. “First of all, there are no flush toilets, so the toilets function with air instead. Basically, astronauts use the bathroom in something very much like a vacuum cleaner. Some of the shuttle crew call it Mr. Thirsty!” She laughed as the team members giggled with disgust and delight.
    â€œThis might be more than I can handle, mon.” Ziggy covered his face with his hands, pretending to be upset. “Maybe I can’t be an astronaut after all.”
    â€œA hose with vacuum suction is attached to the body, and urine is sucked through the hose. It’s quite simple,” Samantha explained, “and nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s a normal human bodily function.”
    â€œWhat about women astronauts?” Jessica asked shyly. She blushed.
    â€œThere is an adapter for females,” Samantha replied matter-of-factly. “And as long as we’re on the subject, solid waste is also eliminated by means of suction devices. The opening is only about four inches in diameter, so an astronaut’s aim becomesreally important. They even have a practice device at the training center! It has a TV camera mounted in the toilet bowl so astronauts can learn exactly where to position themselves so everything comes out where it should!”
    â€œDoes that one have a name too?” Amy asked.
    â€œFor sure! It’s called Target!” Samantha looked like she was having fun. “The astronauts have target practice before a