中国发射首颗高通量通信卫星

 　　A Chinese satellite will not only help those at the scene of natural disasters report on emergencies but enable passengers on high-speed trains to watch high-definition videos.

　　Shijian-13, China’s first high-throughput communications satellite, was launched from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China’s Sichuan Province at 7:04 p.m. Wednesday.

　　The satellite, with a transfer capacity of 20 Gbps and a designed orbital life of 15 years, was carried into orbit by a Long March-3B carrier rocket, the 246th mission for Long March carrier rockets.

　　Shijian-13 has a higher message capacity than all of China’s previous communications satellites combined and will provide better Internet access in less-developed regions, as well as on planes and high-speed trains.

　　The launch is a milestone¹ for China’s communications satellite technology, said Tian Yulong, chief engineer of the State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence.

　　Shijian-13 is the first Chinese satellite to be powered by electricity, potentially improving efficiency by as much as 10 times compared with those using chemicals as propellant, extending the satellite’s life and reducing launch weight, said Zhou Zhicheng, commander-in-chief of Shijian-13.

　　A large number of domestic components² have been used. It also has the first laser communications system installed on a Chinese high orbit satellite with a long lifespan.

　　The satellite and the rocket were designed by academies affiliated³ with the China Aerospace⁴ Science and Technology Corp., and the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology respectively.

　　China plans to launch six communications satellites this year. Shijian-18 will be put into orbit in June to test the DFH-5 satellite platform.

　　On April, 24, 1970, the launch of China’s first satellite Dongfanghong-1 marked the beginning of the country’s space endeavors, which currently feature 16 communication satellites.

　　By 2025, China will have 22 communication satellites, with five built on brand new designs, according to a medium-long term development plan for civilian⁵ space infrastructure⁶ released in 2015.

1 milestone   

n.里程碑；划时代的事件

参考例句：

• The film proved to be a milestone in the history of cinema.事实证明这部影片是电影史上的一个里程碑。
• I think this is a very important milestone in the relations between our two countries.我认为这是我们两国关系中一个十分重要的里程碑。

2 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。

3 affiliated   

adj. 附属的, 有关连的

参考例句：

• The hospital is affiliated with the local university. 这家医院附属于当地大学。
• All affiliated members can vote. 所有隶属成员都有投票权。

4 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。

5 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

6 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。