China to Launch Tiangong-1 Space Module

After a series of delays, China's space labotory Tiangong 1, or Heavenly Palace, is finally ready to be sent into space. And as Dominc Swire reports, the mission represents a huge step forward in China's space programme.

 
Neil Armstrong setting foot on the Moon in 1969. At the time the US space programme was light-years ahead of the rest of the world. But fast forward over 40 years and China's catching¹ up fast.

After a spate² of delays China's unmanned space module³ Tiangong 1 is finally set to be launched. It will perform the nation's first ever space docking procedure with another unmanned spacecraft.

Alian Wang is a researcher in planetary science at US-based Washington University in St Louis.

"You can exercise the docking technology, that is one big step forward. I think China hasn't demonstrated this capability⁴ and now they have decided⁵ to do it. That's very important. If that is successful I would congratulate my colleagues, the engineers and scientists in China. That's a big step forward."

A successful docking of Tiangong-1 will represent the first step towards China's long term goal of building a space station. Professor Wang says this will be a huge boost for scientific research, and for further space exploration.

"Once you establish this semi-permanent orbit then you can think about moving forward to use it as an intermediate step to move forward to other planets or satellites."

As the Chinese space programme seems to go from strength to strength, the situation is very different in the United States. Earlier this year US space agency NASA wound up its 30 year old space shuttle programme.

Robert Chesson is an expert in human spaceflight at the European Space Agency and has collaborated⁶ with the Chinese space programme. He says the launch of Tiangong 1 is unlikely to change America's strategy in space.

"I am not convinced that a development in the Chinese human space programme is going to fire the Americans into some new space race with China. I can't see that at all."

China hopes to effectively transform the Tiangong-1 space module into a manned space laboratory from where it can further shine a light into the darkness of space.

For CRI, I'm Dominic Swire.

1 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

2 spate   

n.泛滥，洪水，突然的一阵

参考例句：

• Police are investigating a spate of burglaries in the area.警察正在调查这一地区发生的大量盗窃案。
• Refugees crossed the border in full spate.难民大量地越过了边境。

3 module   

n.组件，模块，模件；(航天器的)舱

参考例句：

• The centre module displays traffic guidance information.中央模块显示交通引导信息。
• Two large tanks in the service module held liquid oxygen.服务舱的两个大气瓶中装有液态氧。

4 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

5 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

6 collaborated   

合作( collaborate的过去式和过去分词 )； 勾结叛国

参考例句：

• We have collaborated on many projects over the years. 这些年来我们合作搞了许多项目。
• We have collaborated closely with the university on this project. 我们与大学在这个专案上紧密合作。