VOA标准英语2018--Russia's Concerning Behavior in Space

 

“Outer space is a frontier that inspires us and unites us more than anything else,” declared Assistant Secretary for Arms Control, Verification and Compliance¹ Dr. Yleem Poblete. “And as we continue to push further into our own solar system, new businesses and entire enterprises will be built to seize the infinite possibilities before us.”

However, there are growing concerns about the possibility of intentional² acts of aggression³ in space, warned Dr. Poblete.

The United States has raised concerns for many years that Russia is pursuing the development and deployment⁴ of anti-satellite weapons. As recently as February 2017, a Russian Air Force Squadron Commander stated that Russia is developing new missiles with the express intent of destroying satellites. Furthermore, we have read statements from the Russian Ministry⁵ of Defense⁶ that it is working on creating “a mobile attack anti-satellite system.”

The Russian Ministry of Defense recently announced that its Space Troops have received a mobile laser system that Vladimir Putin announced to the world on March 1, 2018. Mr. Putin has alluded⁷ to space weapons being more “acceptable in the political and military respect.”

This behavior continues despite Russia stating many times that it places a high priority on the promotion⁸ of the draft “Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force against Outer Space Objects,” or PPWT.

The problem with such a treaty, said Dr. Poblete, is that it's difficult to determine an object's true purpose simply by observing it on orbit.

At this time, there are no means of differentiating⁹ many objects' behaviors from that of a weapon, making outer space arms control measures like those in the proposed PPWT unverifiable.

In short, said Assistant Secretary Poblete, the proposed PPWT does not reduce the potential for conflict from extending into outer space or prevent destabilizing activities.Indeed, Russia may be engaging in the very behavior it purports¹⁰ to seek to prohibit.

“We must take concrete steps to strengthen the safety, stability, and sustainability of space,” declared Dr. Poblete. “The draft PPWT is not the right mechanism¹¹ for accomplishing that.It is a flawed document, proposed by a country [Russia] that has routinely violated its international commitments.”

The United States looks forward to continuing to engage with other responsible nations in order to strengthen the safety, the stability, and the sustainability of outer space activities.

1 compliance   

n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从

参考例句：

• I was surprised by his compliance with these terms.我对他竟然依从了这些条件而感到吃惊。
• She gave up the idea in compliance with his desire.她顺从他的愿望而放弃自己的主意。

2 intentional   

adj.故意的，有意（识）的

参考例句：

• Let me assure you that it was not intentional.我向你保证那不是故意的。
• His insult was intentional.他的侮辱是有意的。

3 aggression   

n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害

参考例句：

• So long as we are firmly united, we need fear no aggression.只要我们紧密地团结，就不必惧怕外来侵略。
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.她认为攻击性是人类本性的一部份。

4 deployment   

n. 部署,展开

参考例句：

• He has inquired out the deployment of the enemy troops. 他已查出敌军的兵力部署情况。
• Quality function deployment (QFD) is a widely used customer-driven quality, design and manufacturing management tool. 质量功能展开(quality function deployment,QFD)是一个广泛应用的顾客需求驱动的设计、制造和质量管理工具。

5 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

6 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

7 alluded   

提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• In your remarks you alluded to a certain sinister design. 在你的谈话中，你提到了某个阴谋。
• She also alluded to her rival's past marital troubles. 她还影射了对手过去的婚姻问题。

8 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

9 differentiating   

[计] 微分的

参考例句：

• They succeed in differentiating the most commodity-like products. 在最通用的日用产品方面，它们也能独树一帜标新立异。
• The simplest and most effective method of differentiating areas is to use different colours. 区别面状要素最简单而又行之有效的办法，是使用不同的颜色。

10 purports   

v.声称是…，（装得）像是…的样子( purport的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• She purports to represent the whole group. 她自称代表整个团体。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The document purports to be official but is really private. 那份文件据称是官方的，但实际上是私人的。 来自辞典例句

11 mechanism   

n.机械装置；机构，结构

参考例句：

• The bones and muscles are parts of the mechanism of the body.骨骼和肌肉是人体的组成部件。
• The mechanism of the machine is very complicated.这台机器的结构是非常复杂的。