2007年VOA标准英语-Shuttle Launch Draws Enthusiasts to Kennedy Spa

By Brian Wagner
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
16 August 2007
 

Space Shuttle Endeavour is launched

Thousands of people traveled to Kennedy Space Center for the recent launch of the shuttle Endeavour, and many more watched on television. VOA's Brian Wagner visited the launch complex to talk with space enthusiasts¹ and some aspiring² astronauts about their hopes for the future of the space program.

As NASA engineers made their final preparations for launch, thousands of viewers gathered 10 kilometers away to see the shuttle Endeavour take flight. Space enthusiasts say the visitor center at Kennedy Space Center is one of the best places to watch a shuttle launch.

Shuttle spectators applaud launch

Visitors come from across the United States to see the launches, and foreign tourists take time on their American vacations to visit the launch complex. Richard Cook said he has lived near the space center for years and has always been impressed by the feats³ of engineering. "I think the engineering, the power, how they get up there is the biggest thing."

Many at the center got their first up-close look at a shuttle launch. But nearby resident Aileen Vidal recalled a memorable⁴ earlier visit. "One of the first dates my husband and I took was to see a shuttle launch. We came to this launch with our son, who hopes to be an astronaut some day."

The complex offers visitors a chance to learn about space exploration and shuttle history, and even take a ride on a $10 million simulator that recreates the sensation of a shuttle launch. Former astronauts also take questions about their experiences in space. "What do you have to do to get into the rocket?" asked one visitor.

After 30 years of shuttle missions, however, NASA officials are preparing to retire the aging fleet of space shuttles. Engineers already are working on the next generation vehicle that will enable astronauts to travel to the moon and possibly to Mars in coming years. High school student Robert Sumner said the future is promising⁵. "I think it is pretty exciting because it means our country is developing further and further and just makes it better for us."

NASA has recently struggled with unflattering media attention, including reports of pilots flying drunk, sabotaged⁶ equipment and a former astronaut facing criminal charges. Supporters say the reports do not affect their view of the space program. Jen Gebo says she hopes they will not threaten funding levels.

"I do not think it is going to change a lot of minds. It is just ammunition⁷ for people with arguments against the [space] program anyway."

Spectators attend the Endeavour launch

Officials say attendance at the visitor center has been growing steadily⁸, and more than 13,000 people attended the Endeavour launch. After the clock ticked down and the Endeavour blasted off into space, Jeff Buck⁹ said the experience was well worth it. "Man, you could feel it, you could see it. It was just breathtaking."

The Endeavour crew is expected to complete its 14-day mission and return to Earth on August 22. The next shuttle flight is set for October, when followers¹⁰ of America's space program will have another chance to see a launch first-hand.

1 enthusiasts   

n.热心人，热衷者( enthusiast的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• A group of enthusiasts have undertaken the reconstruction of a steam locomotive. 一群火车迷已担负起重造蒸汽机车的任务。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Now a group of enthusiasts are going to have the plane restored. 一群热心人计划修复这架飞机。 来自新概念英语第二册

2 aspiring   

adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求

参考例句：

• Aspiring musicians need hours of practice every day. 想当音乐家就要每天练许多小时。
• He came from an aspiring working-class background. 他出身于有抱负的工人阶级家庭。 来自辞典例句

3 feats   

功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• He used to astound his friends with feats of physical endurance. 过去，他表现出来的惊人耐力常让朋友们大吃一惊。
• His heroic feats made him a legend in his own time. 他的英雄业绩使他成了他那个时代的传奇人物。

4 memorable   

adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的

参考例句：

• This was indeed the most memorable day of my life.这的确是我一生中最值得怀念的日子。
• The veteran soldier has fought many memorable battles.这个老兵参加过许多难忘的战斗。

5 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

6 sabotaged   

阴谋破坏（某事物）( sabotage的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The main pipeline supplying water was sabotaged by rebels. 供水主管道被叛乱分子蓄意破坏了。
• They had no competition because competitors found their trucks burned and sabotaged. 他们之所以没有竞争对象，那是因为竞争对象老是发现自己的卡车遭火烧或被破坏。 来自教父部分

7 ammunition   

n.军火，弹药

参考例句：

• A few of the jeeps had run out of ammunition.几辆吉普车上的弹药已经用光了。
• They have expended all their ammunition.他们把弹药用光。

8 steadily   

adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地

参考例句：

• The scope of man's use of natural resources will steadily grow.人类利用自然资源的广度将日益扩大。
• Our educational reform was steadily led onto the correct path.我们的教学改革慢慢上轨道了。

9 buck   

n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃

参考例句：

• The boy bent curiously to the skeleton of the buck.这个男孩好奇地弯下身去看鹿的骸骨。
• The female deer attracts the buck with high-pitched sounds.雌鹿以尖声吸引雄鹿。

10 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。

11 override   

vt.不顾，不理睬，否决；压倒，优先于

参考例句：

• The welfare of a child should always override the wishes of its parents.孩子的幸福安康应该永远比父母的愿望来得更重要。
• I'm applying in advance for the authority to override him.我提前申请当局对他进行否决。

12 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。