Pronunciation ChallengeCNN10: Russia-Ukraine War / ISS Falls Back to Earth

Russia-Ukraine War

Within the two and a half weeks since Russia invaded Ukraine, more than 2.5 million Ukrainians have left their country according to the United Nations. Almost half of these refugees have fled to Poland, hundreds of thousands have crossed into Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia. Most of the refugees who have left Ukraine are women and children; men between the ages of 18 and 60 have been banned from leaving and encouraged to join the military.

The Russian invasion, which Russia referred to as a "special military operation", is the biggest attack on a European nation since World War II. Government officials from Russia and Ukraine have been meeting regularly. The US government, which has been supporting the Ukrainian military with supplies and weapons, says Russia's progress in Ukraine has stalled. But an American defense official says Russia still has 90% of the combat power it had when it invaded. Leaders worldwide continue to push for the war to end and for aid to Ukrainian refugees. May there be peace.

ISS Falls Back to Earth

Ever wonder what happens when something as big as the International Space Station gets decommissioned? When something is decommissioned, it means that it’s been retired and no longer in service. As for an ISS, It doesn't get pushed farther into space. Instead, it gets sent hurtling back towards Earth. And because it's too big to be fully destroyed by the Earth's atmosphere, the flaming debris has to land somewhere. And that place is called Point Nemo.

Nestled 3,000 miles east of New Zealand and 2,000 miles north of Antarctica, Point Nemo has become the final home for more than 263 pieces of space debris since 1971. The International Space Station is expected to keep operating until the end of 2030, before it crashes into Point Nemo. NASA will begin to prepare the ISS for deorbit as early as 2026 by lowering the altitude of the space lab.


[Sentence of the day]

NASA will begin to prepare the ISS for deorbit as early as 2026 by lowering the altitude of the space lab.

1. deorbit
To stop following a curved path around a planet or star

Ex: The International Space Station will fall back to earth shortly after deorbiting.

2. altitude
height above sea level

Ex: Mountain climbers use oxygen when they reach higher altitudes.

3. lab
A laboratory, where scientists and technicians conduct experiments.

Ex: If you stick a fork into a power socket while in a lab, you’ll surely fail science class.


Alright, that’s all we have time for today.
Be sure to check out today’s CNN10 video
to find out the new screen doors on beverage coolers.
Some say it’s an innovative approach to grocery shopping
But others suggest… otherwise!

Thanks for joining us today.
This is Ken Miao. I’ll see you next time!

Day 173