VOA标准英语2012--New Yorkers Welcome Enterprise Space Shuttle

 

New Yorkers Welcome Enterprise Space Shuttle

Under blue skies, a barge¹ bearing the space shuttle prototype Enterprise powered up the Hudson River Wednesday morning, past the New York skyline -- arriving midday at the Intrepid² Sea, Air & Space Museum.

Visitors crowded the area around the museum to get a close look at the Enterprise, which never flew in space but was used in landing tests in the 1970s.

“I just remember from my childhood, the shuttles taking off and, now that this is kind of the final resting ground for this one, I’m just very excited to see one up close and personal and to watch the process of loading it onto the Intrepid,” said Nancy de Camp..

“I think it’s an amazing thing that New Yorkers now are going to have this as a piece of history,” said Joe Danziger.

“I think it’s cool that we have the technology to go to space and what we might find out,” said Alejandra Terrero.

“It’s a very really remarkable³ piece of engineering, the space shuttle, so I really wanted to see that up close,” said Ziad Amin.

“I actually thought it might have been bigger, but I was impressed by the wings on it and just how they built it, and it was really shiny,” said Christopher Lang.

In a delicate operation, a floating crane hoisted⁴ the massive spacecraft aloft from the barge and swung it over to land it on the deck of the aircraft carrier Intrepid. That will be its home in retirement⁵ -- a lasting⁶ memory of the U.S.’s space shuttle program, now ended. The exhibit will open to museum visitors in mid-July. 

1 barge   

n.平底载货船，驳船

参考例句：

• The barge was loaded up with coal.那艘驳船装上了煤。
• Carrying goods by train costs nearly three times more than carrying them by barge.通过铁路运货的成本比驳船运货成本高出近3倍。

2 intrepid   

adj.无畏的，刚毅的

参考例句：

• He is not really satisfied with his intrepid action.他没有真正满意他的无畏行动。
• John's intrepid personality made him a good choice for team leader.约翰勇敢的个性适合作领导工作。

3 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

4 hoisted   

把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He hoisted himself onto a high stool. 他抬身坐上了一张高凳子。
• The sailors hoisted the cargo onto the deck. 水手们把货物吊到甲板上。

5 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。

6 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。