印度发射火箭 创下将104颗卫星送入太空纪录

 

A single Indian rocket launch Wednesday morning sent a record 104 satellites into space.

The government-run Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said the rocket launched from Sriharikota in eastern India. It broke Russia’s record of launching 37 satellites one year ago.

Most of the satellites are so-called nano satellites—small ones weighing up to 10 kilograms. There is also an Earth observation satellite that weighs 714 kilograms.

The majority of the nano satellite customers were from the United States. Others were from Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Israel, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates.

The launch was broadcast on Indian national television. It showed scientists in the mission control room, cheering as the rocket flew higher.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that the "remarkable¹ feat² by ISRO is yet another proud moment for our space scientific community and the nation."

India’s space program has centered mostly on low-cost ways to get into space. In 2014, an Indian spacecraft reached Mars’ orbit. The ISRO Mars mission cost $74 million. In comparison, the United States space agency, NASA, spent $670 million on its Mars mission a few months later. India’s effort was welcomed as evidence that an economical program can achieve technological³ success.

Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan is a space expert with New Delhi’s Observer Research Foundation. She said this record breaking satellite launch highlights India’s technological “sophistication.” She said it may lead more countries ask the ISRO to do their space launches.

Growing demand for more high-tech⁴ communication systems among governments has increased demand for such launches. So, has the growing demands of private telephone, Internet and other tech companies. Last year, India launched 75 satellites for foreign customers.

The South Asian country increased the budget for its space program this year. It also has set up a fund for a possible second mission to Mars and its first to Venus.

But scientists say that while India can put smaller satellites into space, it still has some way to go before it can launch heavier ones.

Words in This Story

feat – n. an act or achievement that shows courage, strength, or skill

proud – adj. very happy and pleased because of something you have done

highlights – v. to make people notice or be aware of something

sophistication – adj. having or showing a lot of experience and knowledge about the world and about culture, art, literature, etc.

fund – n. an amount of money that is used for a special purpose

1 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

2 feat   

n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的

参考例句：

• Man's first landing on the moon was a feat of great daring.人类首次登月是一个勇敢的壮举。
• He received a medal for his heroic feat.他因其英雄业绩而获得一枚勋章。

3 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

4 high-tech   

adj.高科技的

参考例句：

• The economy is in the upswing which makes high-tech services in more demand too.经济在蓬勃发展，这就使对高科技服务的需求量也在加大。
• The quest of a cure for disease with high-tech has never ceased. 人们希望运用高科技治疗疾病的追求从未停止过。