2016年CRI Shenzhou 11 spacecraft to carry two astronauts into space

Shenzhou 11 spacecraft to carry two astronauts into space

Sitting under the national flag and separated from the media by a transparent¹ glass wall, 50-year-old Jing Haipeng and 37-year-old Chen Dong appeared calm as they prepare to be part of, what is scheduled to be, China's longest-ever manned spaceflight mission.

The two are scheduled to spend a total of 33-days in orbit.

This will be 3rd trip into space for veteran Chinese astronaut Jing Haipeng.

He was on the Shenzhou-7 mission in 2008 and the Shenzhou-9 mission in 2012.

The mission's commander was also part of docking missions on both his previous space flights, giving him the experience needed to help dock Shenzhou-11 with Tiangong-2.

Jing Haipeng says this leaves him with a lot of confidence heading into tomorrow's launch.

"The past 18 years of intensive professional astronaut training, together with the two previous expereinces I've had flying in space, I'm very confident and determined² this mission is going to be a great success. Personally, I'm much calmer and in a more positive head-space than I was during my previous missions. I'm very proud to be here to greet our country. I know my confidence is shared with the rest of our entire space program."

With an unblemished flight record of 15-hundred hours as a pilot, 37-year old Chen Dong was chosen in 2010 to be part of the next generation of Chinese astronauts.

He too says he's confident heading into the mission, even though it will be his first time in space.

"I have the chance to join my first mission after 6-years of intensive training and learning. For me, the timing³ is perfect - not too early, but not too late either. When we train, Jing is my teacher. In life, he is my brother. He is so dedicated⁴, and demands only the best from me and the others that he works with. Because of his experience, I am very lucky to be paired with him on this mission into space."

After being put into orbit, Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong are going to conduct a series of experiments, including testing the latest in China's advanced life support systems, as well as scientific research.

Wu Ping, deputy director of China's Manned Space Program, explains the role of the two astronauts in space.

"During their mission, the two are essentially⁵ back-ups to one-another. They are both capable of piloting the spacecraft, complex management, manual docking as well as handling any emergency situations or malfunctions⁶. While in orbit, they are going to complete a number of maneuvers⁷ with Shenzhou-11, as well as orbital experiments, demonstrations⁸ and tests on human health in space."

After tomorrow morning's launch, Shenzhou-11 will stay in orbit for 2-days before docking with Tiangong-2 at an altitude of 393-kilometers above the earth.

For CRI, this is Liu Mohan in Jiuquan.

1 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。

2 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

3 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

4 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

5 essentially   

adv.本质上，实质上，基本上

参考例句：

• Really great men are essentially modest.真正的伟人大都很谦虚。
• She is an essentially selfish person.她本质上是个自私自利的人。

6 malfunctions   

n.故障，功能障碍（malfunction的复数形式）vi.失灵（malfunction的第三人称单数形式）

参考例句：

• The mood of defeat was as pervasive as the odor of malfunctions and decay. 失败的情绪就象损坏腐烂的臭味一样弥漫全艇。 来自辞典例句
• Possibility of engine malfunctions due to moisture, are lessened. 发动机故障的可能性，由于水分，也将减少。 来自互联网

7 maneuvers   

n.策略，谋略，花招( maneuver的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• He suspected at once that she had been spying upon his maneuvers. 他立刻猜想到，她已经侦察到他的行动。 来自辞典例句
• Maneuvers in Guizhou occupied the Reds for four months. 贵州境内的作战占了红军四个月的时间。 来自辞典例句

8 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。