Launch delays "will not affect Shenzhou"

 　　BEIJING, Sept. 28 (Xinhuanet) -- The unmanned Shenzhou VIII, part of China's first spacecraft rendezvous¹ and docking mission, will be launched in early November.

　　Niu Hongguang, deputy commander-in-chief of the program, said on Tuesday the launch has not been affected² by the postponed³ lift-off of the Tiangong-1 space module⁴.

　　Tiangong-1 was to enter a low orbit around Earth at the end of August before being met by Shenzhou VIII. However, the departure was pushed back after a satellite failure on Aug 18.

　　Out of safety concerns, Niu said mission commanders ordered a halt to testing at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on Tiangong-1 and its carrier rocket, Long March II-F T1.

　　China Aerospace⁵ Science and Technology Corp, which designed and made the rocket carrier that failed to launch, formed an expert panel to investigate and made modifications⁶.

　　A successful launch of a communication satellite on Sept 19 using the Long March II-C showed the measures worked, Niu said, adding: "We now have confidence in the launch of Tiangong-1."

　　The module is a "simplified" space lab that will not only be a docking target, but will also work as a space experimental platform. It will be unmanned for most of its two years of use, although astronauts will spend time onboard for short periods.

　　After Shenzhou VIII, the country will launch Shenzhou IX and Shenzhou X next year to rendezvous and dock with Tiangong-1.

　　Niu confirmed Shenzhou X will be manned. Tiangong-1 can accommodate two to three astronauts.

　　"Whether Shenzhou IX will be manned is up to the results of the first rendezvous and docking mission," he said.

　　The rocket carrier with Tiangong-1 atop stands 52 meters tall, with a takeoff weight of 493 tons.

　　Tiangong-1 was scheduled for launch in between Sept 27 and 30, but due to weather forecasts that predicted a cold air mass would move into the area of Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, it is believed that conditions on Thursday and Friday will be suitable for takeoff.

1 rendezvous   

n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇

参考例句：

• She made the rendezvous with only minutes to spare.她还差几分钟时才来赴约。
• I have a rendezvous with Peter at a restaurant on the harbour.我和彼得在海港的一个餐馆有个约会。

2 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

3 postponed   

vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发）

参考例句：

• The trial was postponed indefinitely. 审讯无限期延迟。
• The game has already been postponed three times. 这场比赛已经三度延期了。

4 module   

n.组件，模块，模件；(航天器的)舱

参考例句：

• The centre module displays traffic guidance information.中央模块显示交通引导信息。
• Two large tanks in the service module held liquid oxygen.服务舱的两个大气瓶中装有液态氧。

5 aerospace   

adj.航空的，宇宙航行的

参考例句：

• The world's entire aerospace industry is feeling the chill winds of recession.全世界的航空航天工业都感受到了经济衰退的寒意。
• Edward Murphy was an aerospace engineer for the US Army.爱德华·墨菲是一名美军的航宇工程师。

6 modifications   

n.缓和( modification的名词复数 )；限制；更改；改变

参考例句：

• The engine was pulled apart for modifications and then reassembled. 发动机被拆开改型，然后再组装起来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The original plan had undergone fairly extensive modifications. 原计划已经作了相当大的修改。 来自《简明英汉词典》