【一起听英语】美国航天的成功（在线收听）

美国航天事业的成功，都经历了哪些阶段，人们又是如何来庆祝的？

This is not a word for word transcript.

Jackie: Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Jackie

and today I'm joined by Kaz. Hello Kaz!

Kaz: Hello Jackie!

Jackie: Today we'll be talking about the American John Glenn.

Kaz: Yes, John Glenn is a former astronaut – someone who goes into space.

Jackie: That's right, he's a former astronaut – he used to be an astronaut and he was

also the first American to orbit the Earth.

Kaz: To orbit the Earth – that means to go round the Earth in space.

Jackie: Before we continue Kaz, let's not forget this week's tricky question! Can you

tell me what NASA – N-A-S-A stands for? Is it

a) National Aeronautics and Space Administration?

b) North American Space Agency?

c) National American Space Aeronautics?

Kaz: Tricky one there, Jackie. The first one, I think, National Aeronautics and

Space Administration, but NASA… Hang on, there is no A there. So I'm going

to go for North American Space Agency. See how we get on with that.

Jackie: OK, we'll find out whether it was a good idea to change your answer or not at

the end of the programme.

Kaz: So John Glenn was the first American to orbit Earth, so that must've been

what – about fifty years ago?

Jackie: That's right – exactly 50 years ago, in fact, in February 1962, which is why

NASA is honouring him. Let's listen to a report on John Glenn. As you listen,

try to answer this question:

Kaz: How many times did John Glenn go round the Earth in 1962?

Jackie: Reporting from Washington, here's Steve Kingstone. 

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Steve Kingstone, BBC

It was, of course, the Soviet Union that put the first man into orbit. But when John Glenn

circled the Earth three times in five hours in February 1962, it marked America's return to

the space race - paving the way for Neil Armstrong's moon landing seven years later.

Jackie: The answer to the question was: he orbited the Earth three times. As we

heard in the report, it was, of course the Soviet Union that put the first man

into orbit.

Kaz: But when John Glenn circled the Earth, it marked – it showed - America's

return to the space race.

Jackie: The space race – the big competition between the Soviet Union and the

United States for supremacy in space – to dominate and take control of space.

Kaz: Steve Kingstone said this paved the way – it prepared the path - for Neil

Armstrong's landing on the moon seven years later.

Jackie: So this was a very important event for the United States – not only a sign of

their return to the space race, but also an event that paved the way for Neil

Armstrong's landing on the moon. It was a pioneering voyage.

Kaz: A pioneering voyage – a journey that explored new areas and opened up new

possibilities.

Jackie: The anniversary of this event was celebrated in a special way. Let's listen to

the rest of Steve Kingstone's report to find out how it was celebrated.

Steve Kingstone, BBC

On the fiftieth anniversary of that pioneering voyage, NASA had a surprise for Mr Glenn,

now a sprightly ninety years old.

NASA: "We've got you loud and clear, welcome aboard the International Space Station."

He was greeted in a live video call by today's astronauts, orbiting the Earth. And the VIP

guest was clearly impressed by the communications.

Glenn: "I just was sitting here thinking a minute ago about how technology has gone ahead

so rapidly in the space age because here we are watching high-definition television here and

you guys are coming through perfectly, so you have constant communication around here.

It's just amazing that we can sit here and talk to you back and forth."

John Glenn joked that he'd like to return to space - something he last achieved fourteen

years ago, in his late seventies. This anniversary event was in part an effort to publicise

NASA's achievements at a time when its budget is under threat

Jackie: The anniversary was marked by a live video call to the International Space

Station with the astronauts of today. 

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Kaz: And John Glenn was very impressed – he thought it was great that he could

talk live to the astronauts, something that technology could not achieve in

1962.

Jackie: So this video call was a way of honouring John Glenn and celebrating the

anniversary of the orbit, but aside from this, the report touched on another

reason why NASA might have chosen to mark the occasion.

Kaz: Yes, Steve Kingstone mentioned that the event was partly an effort to

publicise – to make known – NASA's achievements. Why would they do that?

Well because their budget is under threat: they are worried they might not

get as much money as they need to do their work.

Jackie: Well, John Glenn seems eager to achieve more things. He joked that he'd like

to return to space.

Kaz: He's only 90 years old after all – why not pop up to space for a quick visit if

he wants to?

Jackie: Yes, why not! After all, the last time he went he was in his seventies – that

made him the oldest man ever in space! Steve described John Glenn as

'sprightly', which means lively and full of energy. Did you ever have dreams

of being an astronaut Kaz?

Kaz: Funnily enough, that's exactly what I wanted to be.

Jackie: Really? But it never happened?

Kaz: It never happened. But it might, you know, I am still a spring chicken.

Jackie: Let's have a reminder of some of the words we've talked about:

astronaut

pioneering

to go into orbit

the space race

to pave the way

to publicise

sprightly

Jackie: Now, the answer to the question: what does NASA, N-A-S-A stand for? You

said North American Space Agency, and you shouldn't have changed your

answer because you had it right the first time. It's actually the National

Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Kaz: Ah, wrong again.

Jackie: Yeah, it's a bit of a mouthful anyway that one. That's all for now, but do join

us again soon for more 6 Minute English! Bye!

Kaz: Bye bye!