英语听力精选进阶版 13618

Shuttle's last night launch

Summary

8 February 2010

The American space shuttle has made its final night launch. The Endeavour left Earth just before dawn in Florida on a mission to deliver a huge window to the International Space Station.

Reporter:

Jonathan Amos

Report

We're very close now to the end of the shuttle, and Endeavour's ascent¹ into dark skies was an important step on the path to retirement². Nasa plans just four further shuttle missions after this one and all of them will launch in daylight hours.

Endeavour carries two new modules³ for the space station. One will hold life-support systems; the other is a dome-shaped control room where astronauts will monitor robots working on the outside of the platform. The Cupola, as it's known, contains the biggest window ever sent into space.

But while Endeavour was speeding to the station, all the talk back at the Kennedy centre was about what would replace the shuttle. President Obama has just cancelled the rockets Nasa was working on, to the annoyance⁴ of many in Congress. And the space agency's head, Charlie Bolden, told reporters here he would be asking politicians for patience while he sought a new way to develop the type of powerful, heavy-lift rocket needed to take astronauts back to the Moon:

Charlie Bolden

"What I hope they will allow me to do is convince them that we can put ourselves on a path to attain⁵ a heavy-lift launch capability⁶ within the next couple of decades. Ideally, I would like to be flying a heavy-lift launch capability between 2020 and 2030."

Charlie Bolden has conceded there is currently a lot of anxiety among Nasa workers about what happens beyond the shuttle. A recent report found up to 7,000 people could lose their jobs when the orbiter is retired⁷.

Jonathan Amos, BBC Science Correspondent

1 ascent   

n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高

参考例句：

• His rapid ascent in the social scale was surprising.他的社会地位提高之迅速令人吃惊。
• Burke pushed the button and the elevator began its slow ascent.伯克按动电钮，电梯开始缓慢上升。

2 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

3 modules   

n.模块( module的名词复数 )；单元；（宇宙飞船上各个独立的）舱；组件

参考例句：

• The course consists of ten core modules and five optional modules. 这门课程包括十个必修单元和五个选修单元。
• Our English course is divided into modules on poetry, drama, and novels. 我们的英语课分为诗歌、戏剧和小说等单元。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 annoyance   

n.恼怒，生气，烦恼

参考例句：

• Why do you always take your annoyance out on me?为什么你不高兴时总是对我出气？
• I felt annoyance at being teased.我恼恨别人取笑我。

5 attain   

vt.达到，获得，完成

参考例句：

• I used the scientific method to attain this end. 我用科学的方法来达到这一目的。
• His painstaking to attain his goal in life is praiseworthy. 他为实现人生目标所下的苦功是值得称赞的。

6 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。

7 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。