Track 22

Track 22.

Hello Simon.

Hi Maria.

OK.

What topic do you think we should choose for the project we’re starting next week?

I think we need to make sure that it’s going to last over the next few months so that we can complete the project.

Well, there are several possibilities.

Have you heard of the Pluto expedition?

The spacecraft is about to arrive there and it’s going to send back pictures that we’ve never seen before.

It should be really interesting.

That sounds like a good idea.

What do you think, Dr Thornton?

Well, I’m not so sure about that one.

I mean, it’s already been going for ten years and I think we should look at something which is planned for the future but hasn’t started yet.

It would give you a better chance to study it in depth and do far more analysis for your monthly update reports.

I don’t think that’s a problem.

There’ll be a lot of coverage on the news over the next few weeks.

Hmm, that’s true, but we really need something to last for a few months.

On second thoughts, maybe Dr Thornton’s right.

Perhaps we should look at something which hasn’t started yet.

Isn’t there something I heard about a new Mars expedition?

I think there’s a group of people out in America somewhere who are preparing for a trip to Mars.

Yes.

It was in the news last week.

They’ve built a sort of camp in the desert in Arizona.

There are ten people living there for six months, just like they would be together on the trip to Mars and after they arrive there.

That’d be ideal.

Six months is just right for you.

You could follow their progress and how the project develops.

From what I know, the Pluto project is already a success, but with the Mars one you can assess how successful it is as it progresses and you can write it up for your final report.

Hmm, yeah, that sounds promising.

OK, but before we decide, I’d just like to mention one more.

I heard that the Chinese are planning an expedition to the moon.

What?

Another man or woman on the moon?

That’s already been done.

I don’t think the moon’s particularly interesting these days.

Simon has a point.

I mean, the Chinese are coming up now and they’ve got some new ideas.

I don’t think they’re sending any astronauts.

I think it’s just an expedition with robots and machines to find the best place to start a colony.

Yes, but I don’t think that’s particularly interesting.

I mean, no one has ever seen Pluto close up and no one has tried to go to Mars, so I think they’d be more interesting expeditions to do.

You have a point.

Perhaps it would be better to focus on one of the other two.

OK, if you ask me, I’d prefer to see how a group of people get along living together in a difficult situation, like they’ll be doing in Arizona in preparation for their trip.

I think you’d get far more out of that, but the final decision is yours.

What do you think?

I agree.

I’d prefer to go for that one.

So that’s agreed then.

Good.

Let’s make a start.

Excellent, I’ll make a note of that.

We’ll meet again next Wednesday and you can give me your project outline.

I’m looking forward to seeing it.