VOA标准英语2008年-All Systems Go for China's Manned Space Launch

China says all systems have passed through final preparations and are ready for the country's third manned trip to outer space, which is scheduled to launch Thursday night. One of the three astronauts on board will be the first Chinese to walk in space. Stephanie Ho reports from Beijing.
　
In this photo distributed by the official Chinese news agency, Xinhua, Shenzhou-7 manned spaceship, Long-March II-F rocket and escape tower are vertically¹ transferred to launch pad at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, 20 Sep 2008

Three Chinese astronauts met with reporters Wednesday, one day before they are due to launch into outer space in the Shenzhou 7, which means "sacred vessel²" in Chinese.

Astronaut Jing Haipeng says China is ready to impress the world.

Jing says he and his fellow astronauts have confidence, determination and capability³ to take the first step in outer space for the Chinese people.

Astronaut Zhai Zhigang says the mission marks a historic breakthrough in China's manned space program.

Zhai says it is a great honor for him to represent China as an astronaut.

This is China's third manned mission to outer space. China sent up its first Shenzhou mission in 2003.

Chinese authorities say the Shenzhou 7 space ship is due to launch Thursday night, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch center in the western province of Gansu. It will orbit the earth at an altitude of 343 kilometers.

The deputy director of China's manned space engineering office, Wang Zhaoyao, says the highlight of this mission will be what is called extravehicular activity, or EVA, which is better known as a spacewalk.

Wang says one of the Chinese astronauts will conduct the spacewalk and recover experimental sample devices. The mission's other tasks include the release of a small monitoring satellite and satellite data relay trials.

The astronauts will be wearing either a Chinese-made Feitian space suit or a Russian-made Orlan suit.

Wang called the Shenzhou mission "an important event" in the history of manned space flight cooperation between China and Russia.

Meanwhile, China is also well on its way to the moon. The country last October launched its first ever lunar probe, called the Chang-e-One, which is due to be in orbit for about one year.

At the time of the launch, Chinese Premier⁴ Wen Jiabao said Chinese people have been dreaming of flying to the moon for more than 1,000 years. He said the success of the Chang-e-One mission will elevate China's international status and, in his words, "cement" national cohesion⁵.

China plans to send a mission to the moon in 2012.

The launch of the Change-e-One came shortly after Japan launched its first ever lunar probe. India is expected to launch its own lunar probe later this year.

 

1 vertically   

adv.垂直地

参考例句：

• Line the pages for the graph both horizontally and vertically.在这几页上同时画上横线和竖线，以便制作图表。
• The human brain is divided vertically down the middle into two hemispheres.人脑从中央垂直地分为两半球。

2 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

3 capability   

n.能力；才能；(pl)可发展的能力或特性等

参考例句：

• She has the capability to become a very fine actress.她有潜力成为杰出演员。
• Organizing a whole department is beyond his capability.组织整个部门是他能力以外的事。

4 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

5 cohesion   

n.团结，凝结力

参考例句：

• I had to bring some cohesion into the company.我得使整个公司恢复凝聚力。
• The power of culture is deeply rooted in the vitality,creativity and cohesion of a nation. 文化的力量，深深熔铸在民族的生命力、创造力和凝聚力之中。