On February 6，Space X，a private US aerospace company owned by Elon Musk，has successfully launched its new Falcon Heavy spacecraft，making it the world's most powerful rocket.
Falcon Heavy is the largest rocket since the retirement of NASA's Saturn V，which was used for the Moon missions in the 1970s.“Falcon Heavy can launch about 64 tonnes into low Earth orbit—that's almost three times more than the current running biggest launch vehicle，Delta IV Heavy，”Imperial College London astrophysicist David Clements told A1 Jazeera.According to Space X，Falcon Heavy can lift into orbit a mass greater than a 737 jet loaded with passengers，crew，luggage and fuel.
The rocket was designed with the idea of carrying humans into space and opening the possibility of flying missions with people to the Moon and even Mars.For its first voyage，it carried Musk's $100，000 cherryred Tesla spots car and a fake spacesuited human model fixed in the driver's seat.Musk joked that“it may be discovered by some future alien race”．
Falcon Heavy went into space on its test flight on February 6.The launch took place at NASA's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center in the US state of Florida，the spot also used for the Apollo 11 Moon mission and several space shuttle launches.It was delayed by several hours because of high winds in the upper atmosphere.Minutes after takeoff，the two outer boosters(助推器) landed at the nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Space X announced plans to eventually use Falcon Heavy to launch two paying space tourists on a trip around the Moon.However，Musk said he will probably reserve that mission for another launch system，the BFR.Recently，Space X planned to launch a Falcon 9 rocket for NASA's TESS mission on March 20，2018.It is reported that Space X planned to complete 30 independent launch missions in 2018，at least half of which will use Falcon 9.
【语篇解读】 2月6日，Space X公司的宇宙飞船Falcon Heavy成功发射，它是当前最大的运载火箭。
1．Which of the following can function as a rocket?
A．A 737 jet. B．Tesla.
C．Saturn V. D．Space X.
C [细节理解题。根据第二段第一句“Falcon Heavy is the largest rocket since the retirement of NASA's Saturn V，which was used for the Moon missions in the 1970s”可知，自20世纪70年代用于月球任务的美国航空航天局的Saturn V退役以来，Falcon Heavy是当前最大的运载火箭；据此可知，美国航空航天局的Saturn V是运载火箭，故C项正确。]
2．What do we know about Falcon Heavy from the text?
A．It is the largest rocket in the world.
B．It is of the same load as a 737 jet.
C．It is to be found by the creatures in the outer space.
D．It was launched at the same place for the Apollo 11 mission.
D [细节理解题。根据第四段第二句“The launch took place at NASA's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center in the US state of Florida，the spot also used for the Apollo 11 Moon mission and several space shuttle launches”可知，发射地是在美国航空航天局的Cape Canaveral Air Force Station和美国佛罗里达州Kennedy Space Center，该地也用于阿波罗11号登月任务和几个航天飞机的发射。故D项正确。]
3．What delayed the launch of Falcon Heavy?
A．Weather conditions.
B．Program error.
C．Equipment failure.
D．Deliberate damage.
A [细节理解题。根据第四段第三句“It was delayed by several hours because of high winds in the upper atmosphere”可知，由于高层大气的强风，发射被推迟了几个小时。据此可知，由于气候条件的原因导致发射推迟，故A项正确。]
4．What can we infer from the last paragraph?
A．The BFR will be completed in 2018.
B．The mission to launch space tourists is unknown.
C．Tourists will be sent into space by Falcon 9.
D．Falcon 9 will take 15 launch missions
B [推理判断题。根据第五段第一、二句“Space X announced plans to eventually use Falcon Heavy to launch two paying space tourists on a trip around the Moon.However，Musk said he will probably reserve that mission for another launch system，the BFR”可知，Space X宣布计划最终使用Falcon Heavy搭载两名旅客，围绕月球进行太空旅行。不过，Musk表示，这一计划他很可能会保留给另一个发射系统——BFR。据此可以判断，围绕月球进行太空旅行还未知，故B项正确。]
