VOA标准英语2010年-Iran: Rocket With Animals Sent Into Sp

Iran says it sent a research rocket carrying live animals into space Wednesday, prompting President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to hail the country's scientific achievements as "miraculous¹."

Iran's state-run Press TV said the rocket contained a rat, two turtles and worms.

Mr. Ahmadinejad said the research project is "mostly on the very edge of modern technology."  He also said Tehran is working to achieve scientific progress, not military confrontation².

Iran says the launch involved a Kavoshgar (Explorer) 3 missile, which is capable of carrying satellites.

Mr. Ahmadinejad also unveiled a domestically-built satellite booster rocket named Simorgh and three new satellites.

Tehran's ambitious space program has worried Western countries.  They fear the same technology used to launch satellites could also launch nuclear warheads.

The president's announcement came as the country celebrated³ National Space Day.  The day is part of the celebrations leading up to the anniversary of Iran's Islamic Revolution next week.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.

 

1 miraculous   

adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的

参考例句：

• The wounded man made a miraculous recovery.伤员奇迹般地痊愈了。
• They won a miraculous victory over much stronger enemy.他们战胜了远比自己强大的敌人，赢得了非凡的胜利。

2 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。

3 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。