Talk of the town : Recruitment of payload specialists
【明報專訊】According to CCTV, the China Manned Space Agency has launched the recruitment exercise for the fourth batch of reserved astronauts, and the position of payload specialists(載荷專家) will be opened to Hong Kong and Macau for the first time.
The HKSAR government started the preliminary selection between Oct 6 and Oct 27. The government will select participants from local universities and research institutes. After the preliminary selection, the Agency will further assess the selected candidates on the mainland.
■What is a 'payload specialist'?
Apayload specialist is mainly responsible for carrying out different scientific experiments and investigation, and is different from a pilot or a flight engineer.
(See the picture 2)
The Chief Executive, John Lee Ka-chiu, expressed gratitude for the recruitment in Hong Kong, as well as describing the move as being of "great significance" and reflecting the "country's care, support and trust to Hong Kong".
■Game
Arrange the planets in ascending order of size (i.e., from smallest to largest).
(See the picture 3)
■Grammar booster
As well as
in addition
e.g. Youngsters have a responsibility to the community as well as to the world.
■Gear up
It is not the first time that the China Manned Space Agency has looked for Hongkongers to carry out space missions as payload specialists. (True/False)
(Answer on next text)
■Glossary
preliminary (adj) 初步的
participant (n) 參與者
institute (n) 研究所
gratitude (n) 感激
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[Smarties' Power English 第355期]
Comic : NASA, the space agency
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