Paul Holmes -
University
English Professor

Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

English Newsroom

Learn English through news articles - complete lesson plans, including articles, listening, classroom activities, quiz questions and more!

Prada and Axiom Space Collaborate on NASA Moon Mission

   

        Try this article at a different level? 
        Level 1 
        Level 2
        Level 3
   

Luxury fashion brand Prada has been chosen to help design the space suits for NASA’s upcoming Moon mission in 2025. Prada will collaborate with private company Axiom Space to create the suits. Axiom stated that Prada’s expertise in materials and manufacturing will be valuable for the project. One astronaut expressed confidence in Prada’s ability to meet the challenge, citing their experience in design, including their involvement in the America’s Cup sailing competition. However, it is important to note that the suits will prioritize functionality and maintaining a suitable thermal environment, rather than incorporating fancy patterns or designs.

Earlier this year, Axiom revealed a spacesuit for the upcoming Artemis 3 mission. This suit, weighing 55kg, was specifically designed to provide a better fit for female astronauts. The collaboration between Artemis and Prada aims to utilize innovative technologies and design to enable greater exploration of the lunar surface. The Artemis 3 mission will follow Artemis 2, which is scheduled to fly a capsule around the Moon in late 2024 or early 2025. Notably, Artemis 2 will feature the first woman and the first black astronaut assigned to a lunar mission, Christina Kock and Victor Glover, respectively.

In conclusion, Prada’s involvement in designing space suits for NASA’s Moon mission showcases the intersection of fashion and technology. While Prada’s expertise in materials and manufacturing is expected to contribute to the project, the primary focus remains on functionality and maintaining a suitable thermal environment for the astronauts. The collaboration between Prada and Axiom aims to enable greater exploration of the lunar surface, with the upcoming Artemis missions set to make significant advancements in lunar exploration.

Original news source: Prada to design Nasa’s new Moon suit (BBC)

Listen

Slow

Normal

Fast

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into small groups. Give each group a copy of the article. Instruct the groups to read the article and create a concise summary of the main points. After a designated amount of time, have each group present their summary to the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Ask the students to form pairs. Instruct each pair to discuss and answer the following question: “Do you think it is appropriate for a luxury fashion brand like Prada to design space suits for NASA’s Moon mission?” After the pairs have discussed their opinions, have them share their answers with the class. Then, conduct a class poll to see how many students agree or disagree with the statement.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into two teams. One student from each team will come to the board and choose a word from the list. They must then draw a picture to represent the word, while their team members try to guess the word. The team that guesses the most words correctly wins.

– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: one in favor of Prada designing space suits for NASA’s Moon mission, and one against it. Give each group time to brainstorm and discuss the pros and cons of their position. Then, have a debate between the two groups, allowing each side to present their arguments and counterarguments.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: In pairs, have the students discuss and make predictions about the future of fashion and technology collaborations. Encourage them to think about how these collaborations might impact different industries and fields. After the pairs have discussed their predictions, ask a few pairs to share their ideas with the class.

Comprehension Questions:

1) What is the purpose of Prada’s collaboration with Axiom Space?
2) What expertise does Prada bring to the project?
3) How does one astronaut express confidence in Prada’s ability to meet the challenge?
4) What is the main focus of the space suits for the Moon mission?
5) What was unique about the spacesuit designed for the Artemis 3 mission?
6) What is the goal of the collaboration between Artemis and Prada?
7) When is Artemis 2 scheduled to fly around the Moon?
8) What does Prada’s involvement in designing space suits for NASA’s Moon mission showcase?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Luxury fashion brand Prada has been chosen to help design the space (1)______ for NASA’s upcoming Moon mission in 2025. Prada will collaborate with private company Axiom Space to create the suits. Axiom (2)______ that Prada’s (3)______ in materials and (4)______ will be valuable for the project. One astronaut expressed confidence in Prada’s ability to meet the challenge, citing their experience in design, including their involvement in the America’s Cup sailing (5)______. However, it is important to note that the suits will prioritize (6)______ and maintaining a suitable thermal environment, rather than incorporating fancy patterns or designs.

Earlier this year, Axiom revealed a spacesuit for the upcoming (7)______ 3 mission. This suit, weighing 55kg, was specifically designed to provide a better fit for (8)______ astronauts. The collaboration between Artemis and Prada aims to utilize innovative technologies and design to enable greater exploration of the lunar surface. The Artemis 3 mission will (9)______ Artemis 2, which is (10)______ to fly a capsule around the Moon in late 2024 or (11)______ 2025. Notably, Artemis 2 will feature the first woman and the first black (12)______ assigned to a lunar mission, Christina Kock and Victor Glover, respectively.

In conclusion, Prada’s involvement in designing space suits for NASA’s Moon mission showcases the intersection of fashion and technology. While Prada’s expertise in materials and manufacturing is expected to contribute to the (13)______, the primary (14)______ remains on functionality and maintaining a suitable (15)______ environment for the (16)______. The collaboration between Prada and Axiom aims to enable greater exploration of the lunar surface, with the upcoming Artemis missions set to make significant advancements in lunar exploration.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What do you think about Prada collaborating with NASA to design space suits?
2. How would you feel if you were chosen to wear a Prada-designed space suit for a mission to the Moon?
3. Do you think fashion and technology can intersect successfully? Why or why not?
4. What is the importance of functionality in designing space suits for astronauts?
5. How do you think Prada’s expertise in materials and manufacturing will contribute to the project?
6. Do you think it is necessary to prioritize functionality over fancy patterns or designs in space suits? Why or why not?
7. What other industries do you think could benefit from collaborating with luxury fashion brands?
8. How do you think innovative technologies and design can enhance exploration of the lunar surface?
9. Do you think it is important to have space suits that provide a better fit for female astronauts? Why or why not?
10. How would you feel if you were assigned to a lunar mission like Artemis 2 or Artemis 3?
11. What advancements in lunar exploration do you think the upcoming Artemis missions will make?
12. How do you think the involvement of the first woman and the first black astronaut in a lunar mission will impact future space exploration?
13. What do you think are the challenges in designing space suits for astronauts?
14. How do you think the collaboration between Prada and Axiom will inspire other fashion brands to explore opportunities in technology?
15. Do you think luxury fashion brands have a role to play in scientific and technological advancements? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. Prada
2. space suits
3. NASA
4. Moon mission
5. Axiom Space
6. materials
7. functionality
8. thermal environment

Meanings:
(a) Luxury fashion brand chosen to design space suits
(b) Mission to the Moon in 2025
(c) Expertise in the substances used and the process of making
(d) Protective clothing worn by astronauts in space
(e) Focus on practicality and purpose
(f) Private company collaborating with Prada on the project
(g) Maintaining a suitable temperature for the astronauts
(h) National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Who has been chosen to help design the space suits for NASA’s Moon mission?
(a) Gucci
(b) Chanel
(c) Louis Vuitton
(d) Prada

2. Which company is collaborating with Prada to create the space suits?
(a) Axiom Space
(b) SpaceX
(c) Boeing
(d) Blue Origin

3. What is the main reason Prada was chosen for the project?
(a) Their experience in space exploration
(b) Their fancy patterns and designs
(c) Their expertise in materials and manufacturing
(d) Their involvement in sailing competitions

4. What is the primary focus of the space suits for the Moon mission?
(a) Incorporating fancy patterns and designs
(b) Showcasing fashion and technology
(c) Functionality and maintaining a suitable thermal environment
(d) Providing a better fit for female astronauts

5. Which mission will feature the first woman and the first black astronaut assigned to a lunar mission?
(a) Artemis 3
(b) Apollo 11
(c) Challenger
(d) Artemis 2

6. What is the weight of the spacesuit designed for female astronauts?
(a) 65kg
(b) 55kg
(c) 45kg
(d) 75kg

7. What is the goal of the collaboration between Prada and Axiom?
(a) To create fashionable space suits
(b) To enable greater exploration of the lunar surface
(c) To compete in the America’s Cup sailing competition
(d) To prioritize fancy patterns and designs

8. Which year is the Moon mission scheduled to take place?
(a) 2025
(b) 2022
(c) 2023
(d) 2024

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Prada has not been chosen to help design the space suits for NASA’s Moon mission in 2025.
2. Axiom believes Prada’s expertise in materials and manufacturing will be valuable for the project.
3. The Artemis missions, including Artemis 2 and Artemis 3, are set to make significant advancements in lunar exploration.
4. One astronaut expressed doubt in Prada’s ability to meet the challenge, citing their lack of experience in design.
5. The collaboration between Artemis and Prada aims to ignore innovative technologies and design for greater exploration of the lunar surface.
6. Axiom previously revealed a spacesuit for the upcoming Artemis 3 mission, designed to provide a better fit for female astronauts.
7. The suits will prioritize functionality and maintaining a suitable thermal environment over fancy patterns or designs.
8. Prada will not collaborate with private company Axiom Space for the project.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.




Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the purpose of Prada’s collaboration with Axiom Space for NASA’s Moon mission?
2. How does Prada’s expertise in materials and manufacturing contribute to the project?
3. What is the focus of the space suits being designed for the Moon mission?
4. What is the significance of the Artemis 2 mission in relation to diversity in space exploration?
5. How does Prada’s involvement in designing space suits for NASA showcase the intersection of fashion and technology?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1) The purpose of Prada’s collaboration with Axiom Space is to help design the space suits for NASA’s upcoming Moon mission in 2025.
2) Prada brings expertise in materials and manufacturing to the project.
3) One astronaut expresses confidence in Prada’s ability to meet the challenge by citing their experience in design, including their involvement in the America’s Cup sailing competition.
4) The main focus of the space suits for the Moon mission is functionality and maintaining a suitable thermal environment.
5) The spacesuit designed for the Artemis 3 mission was specifically designed to provide a better fit for female astronauts.
6) The goal of the collaboration between Artemis and Prada is to utilize innovative technologies and design to enable greater exploration of the lunar surface.
7) Artemis 2 is scheduled to fly a capsule around the Moon in late 2024 or early 2025.
8) Prada’s involvement in designing space suits for NASA’s Moon mission showcases the intersection of fashion and technology.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) suits
(2) stated
(3) expertise
(4) manufacturing
(5) competition
(6) functionality
(7) Artemis
(8) female
(9) follow
(10) scheduled
(11) early
(12) astronaut
(13) project
(14) focus
(15) thermal
(16) astronauts
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. Prada
Answer: (a) Luxury fashion brand chosen to design space suits

2. space suits
Answer: (d) Protective clothing worn by astronauts in space

3. NASA
Answer: (h) National Aeronautics and Space Administration

4. Moon mission
Answer: (b) Mission to the Moon in 2025

5. Axiom Space
Answer: (f) Private company collaborating with Prada on the project

6. materials
Answer: (c) Expertise in the substances used and the process of making

7. functionality
Answer: (e) Focus on practicality and purpose

8. thermal environment
Answer: (g) Maintaining a suitable temperature for the astronauts
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Who has been chosen to help design the space suits for NASA’s Moon mission?
Answer: (d) Prada

2. Which company is collaborating with Prada to create the space suits?
Answer: (a) Axiom Space

3. What is the main reason Prada was chosen for the project?
Answer: (c) Their expertise in materials and manufacturing

4. What is the primary focus of the space suits for the Moon mission?
Answer: (c) Functionality and maintaining a suitable thermal environment

5. Which mission will feature the first woman and the first black astronaut assigned to a lunar mission?
Answer: (d) Artemis 2

6. What is the weight of the spacesuit designed for female astronauts?
Answer: (b) 55kg

7. What is the goal of the collaboration between Prada and Axiom?
Answer: (b) To enable greater exploration of the lunar surface

8. Which year is the Moon mission scheduled to take place?
Answer: (a) 2025
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Prada has not been chosen to help design the space suits for NASA’s Moon mission in 2025. (Answer: False)
2. Axiom believes Prada’s expertise in materials and manufacturing will be valuable for the project. (Answer: True)
3. The Artemis missions, including Artemis 2 and Artemis 3, are set to make significant advancements in lunar exploration. (Answer: True)
4. One astronaut expressed doubt in Prada’s ability to meet the challenge, citing their lack of experience in design. (Answer: False)
5. The collaboration between Artemis and Prada aims to ignore innovative technologies and design for greater exploration of the lunar surface. (Answer: False)
6. Axiom previously revealed a spacesuit for the upcoming Artemis 3 mission, designed to provide a better fit for female astronauts. (Answer: True)
7. The suits will prioritize functionality and maintaining a suitable thermal environment over fancy patterns or designs. (Answer: True)
8. Prada will not collaborate with private company Axiom Space for the project. (Answer: False)
Go back to questions ⇧

How about these other Level 4 articles?

AI therapist bots, like the popular Psychologist bot, are providing comfort and support to millions of users who find the text format of communication less daunting and more accessible than traditional therapy.

Surge in Popularity of AI Therapist Bots

AI therapist bots, like the popular Psychologist bot, are providing comfort and support to millions of users who find the text format of communication less daunting and more accessible than traditional therapy.

Feedback