VOA常速英语2008年-Space Shuttle Atlantis Launches With European R

By Brian Wagner
Miami
07 February 2008

Atlantis lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Thursday, carrying seven astronauts and a European built research module¹. The launch follows a two-month delay needed to fix a problem in the fuel gauge² on the shuttle's external fuel tanks.

NASA weather officers had expected bad weather to possibly delay the mission, but the storm system did not affect the launch pad.

A NASA spokesman described the shuttle's trip into orbit.

"A smooth and uneventful ascent³, Atlantis now in its preliminary orbit," he said.  "The Columbus module is headed to the International Space Station."

Atlantis is scheduled to dock on Saturday with the International Space Station to deliver the $2 billion Columbus module built by the European Space Agency (ESA). Officials say Columbus will bring new capabilities⁴ to conduct research on the space station, such as experiments into the impact of space travel on humans and various materials. Columbus joins a U.S.-built research module already in space and a Japanese module that is set to be delivered later this year.

After the launch, NASA administrator⁵ Michael Griffin said the international cooperation has been important to expanding the space station.

"This is a real partnership⁶ among nations and among societies to bring together a capability⁷ greater than any one nation can bring by itself," he said.

NASA officials have scheduled at least five shuttle flights this year to meet a 2010 deadline to finish construction of the space station.

1 module   

n.组件，模块，模件；(航天器的)舱

参考例句：

• The centre module displays traffic guidance information.中央模块显示交通引导信息。
• Two large tanks in the service module held liquid oxygen.服务舱的两个大气瓶中装有液态氧。

2 gauge   

v.精确计量；估计；n.标准度量；计量器

参考例句：

• Can you gauge what her reaction is likely to be?你能揣测她的反应可能是什么吗？
• It's difficult to gauge one's character.要判断一个人的品格是很困难的。

3 ascent   

n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高

参考例句：

• His rapid ascent in the social scale was surprising.他的社会地位提高之迅速令人吃惊。
• Burke pushed the button and the elevator began its slow ascent.伯克按动电钮，电梯开始缓慢上升。

4 capabilities   

n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
• Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

5 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。

6 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

7 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。