第二篇 Passage 2

Thirty Years of Development in Space Technology

China sent its first man-made earth satellite, Dongfanghong-1 into space in 1970, becoming the fifth country that had this capacity, following then the Soviet Union, the United States, France and Japan.

With the successful launching, China started its exploration into space and has become one of the major space powers in the world after 30 years of development.

At 6:30 am on November 20 last year, a spacecraft named Shenzhou (Divine Ship) blasted off into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launching Center in northwest China’s Gansu Province, aboard a new type of Long March (LM) carrier rocket. After a 21-hour test mission, Shenzhou, China’s first spacecraft successfully landed in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Unmanned, the spacecraft and launching vehicle had both been developed with Chinese hardware and expertise.

Beginning with the Dongfanghong-1 satellite and ending with the Shenzhou spacecraft, China’s space industry has undergone 30 years of exploration. Today, the nation has established a regular spacecraft development system, and its space undertakings have entered a new era of rapid development.

According to Xu Fuxiang, Director of the Chinese Research Institute of Space Technology, China’s space development has witnessed tremendous changes over the past 30 years. Satellite models have been diversified, and development technology has expanded in possibilities and is more open. Today, satellites are used not only for scientific research, but also for serving public needs.

Chinese scientists have so far developed, or been involved in the development of more than 40 satellites and spacecraft, which include major models of low, intermediate and high orbit satellites. In particular, the success of Shenzhou’s test flight symbolizes that China is one step toward its goal of eventually sending people into space.

According to Xu, various platforms are now available at the Chinese Research Institute of Space Technology for developing different types of satellites, such as medium capacity satellites, retrievable satellites, earth observation satellites and modern minor satellites. Xu noted that, last year, China succeeded in launching several different new types of satellites, such as the Experiment-5 scientific experimental satellite, the Resource-1 earth resources remote sensing satellite, and the spacecraft. All of this indicates that China’s satellite development technology is becoming increasingly mature and reliable.

Although Chinese astronauts did not go into space with Shenzhou, they spared no effort in their training and are ready to go at any time. A space medical engineering institute in Beijing is equipped with a complete set of aerospace ground simulation testing equipment, such as a low-pressure seal capsule, a low-pressure transition temperature chamber and a life-support system experimenting chamber. It encompasses a number of training facilities, including a Chinese-made manned centrifugal device, which is the largest of its kind in Asia, and a land impact (testing) table. While two Chinese astronauts were sent to Russia for training, others received their training here.

At present, analysis of the results of the Shenzhou spacecraft is still under way. Based on the analysis, China will make further improvements of various systems in the spacecraft and will launch several additional unmanned flights before sending astronauts into space with them. “China will surely make substantial breakthroughs in its spacecraft development before long,” said Xu confidently.

Xu revealed that the Chinese Research Institute of Space Technology is now making preparatory research for the development of a large capacity communication satellite, navigation and positioning satellite and a satellite for disaster reduction, and scientists in the institute are tackling difficult technical problems. According to Xu, these satellites will be more advanced than the former models in terms of information transmission frequency, range and speed, means of collecting information and reliability. It is expected that China will establish two to three satellite application networks. In its future development, Xu’s institute will conduct extensive cooperation with its foreign counterparts and relevant departments. The cooperation will involve the joint development of satellites, the supply of satellites or satellite parts, satellite carry or recovery service, spacecraft simulated space environment tests by contract, and the design, manufacturing and development of a satellite ground application system.

课文词语 Words and Expressions from the Text

divine 神的

blast off 点火起飞

platform 导航台

retrieve 找回；回收

simulation 模拟

seal capsule 密封舱

life-support system 生命维持系统

encompass 包括，环绕

centrifugal 离心的，利用离心力的

land impact testing system 着陆冲击测试系统

substantial breakthroughs 实质性突破

navigation 导航

counterpart 副本，相应的人或物，