7 Astronauts Killed as Space Shuttle Columbia Breaks Up on R

Broadcast: Feb 01, 2003

 

The U.S. Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart in mid-air Saturday minutes before it was to return to Earth. The U.S. space agency, ¹⁾NASA, says none of the seven astronauts aboard survived.

Just 16 minutes before Columbia's scheduled landing in Florida, mission controllers lost all radar¹ and voice contact with the shuttle as it passed high over north central Texas.

Dramatic video images from a Dallas television station shows a falling from the sky as several pieces of as it returned home after a 16-day scientific research mission. "Sadly, I think from the video that's available, it does not appear that there were any survivors," said Bill Readdy, a former astronaut who supervises NASA's human space flight programs. "At this point, I'd have to say it's too early to speculate about the exact cause," he added. "Obviously we're looking at all the data we have available."

NASA mobilized emergency rescue teams in the Dallas-Forth Worth area of northern Texas and warned residents in the area not to touch any of the debris² may it falling.

Flags are being flown at half-staff at all space agency facilities. NASA administrator³ Sean O'Keefe has established internal and independent external investigation⁴ boards to look into the cause of the disaster. "This is indeed a tragic⁵ day for the NASA family, for the families of the astronauts, and likewise tragic for the nation," he said.

17 years ago, the shuttle Challenger blew up 74 seconds after launch, but the Columbia disaster is the first time a shuttle has been lost returning from orbit since the program began 113 missions ago in 1981.

At the U.S. Naval⁶ War College in Newport, Rhode Island, space expert Joan Johnston-Freese says takeoff and landings are the most dangerous times for space shuttles. "That's when the maximum pressure and ²⁾velocity⁷ occur," said Joan Johnston-Freese. "The shuttle lands as basically a large glider⁸ and control is always a challenge, but under those conditions of pressure and velocity, the shuttle is so super-heated at that point that it's a very ³⁾volatile situation under the best of conditions."

In Florida, NASA administrator O'Keefe honored the Columbia crew by saying they dedicated⁹ their lives to pushing the scientific challenges for all of us here on Earth. "I was here this morning with the families of the astronauts and their friends," said Sean O'Keefe. "It started out as a pretty happy morning, awaiting the landing of STS-107. We had highly anticipated their return because we couldn't wait to congratulate them."

Security was tighter than usual at the landing site, because the presence of Israel's first astronaut, Ilan Ramon, prompted NASA fears that he might be the target of a terrorist attack.

However, NASA says there is no indication that terrorism is involved in the shuttle loss.

David McAlary VOA news, Washington.

NASA (美国)国家航空和宇宙航行局

velocity[vi5lCsiti]n. 速度, 速率, 迅速, 周转率

volatile[5vClEtail]adj. 飞行的，不稳定的, 轻快的

 

1 radar   

n.雷达，无线电探测器

参考例句：

• They are following the flight of an aircraft by radar.他们正在用雷达追踪一架飞机的飞行。
• Enemy ships were detected on the radar.敌舰的影像已显现在雷达上。

2 debris   

n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片

参考例句：

• After the bombing there was a lot of debris everywhere.轰炸之后到处瓦砾成堆。
• Bacteria sticks to food debris in the teeth,causing decay.细菌附着在牙缝中的食物残渣上，导致蛀牙。

3 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。

4 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

5 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

6 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

7 velocity   

n.速度，速率

参考例句：

• Einstein's theory links energy with mass and velocity of light.爱因斯坦的理论把能量同质量和光速联系起来。
• The velocity of light is about 300000 kilometres per second.光速约为每秒300000公里。

8 glider   

n.滑翔机；滑翔导弹

参考例句：

• The glider was soaring above the valley.那架滑翔机在山谷上空滑翔。
• The pilot managed to land the glider on a safe place.那个驾驶员设法让滑翔机着陆到一个安全的地方。

9 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。