Shuttle blasts off in rare night launch

时间：2006-12-11 03:31:32

（单词翻译:单击）


The Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off on mission STS-116 at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape1 Canaveral, Fla., Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006. It is the first night launch of a shuttle in four years.
 
Dec. 10 - Flashes of flame from space shuttle Discovery lit up the darkened sky Saturday as the space shuttle blazed off the launch pad for the first nighttime liftoff in four years.

 

The shuttle's seven astronauts are on a mission to rewire the international space station, one leg of a three-year race to finish construction on the orbiting outpost before shuttles are retired2 in 2010.

 

The illumination from the shuttle turned night into day for the spectators at the Kennedy Space Center. A cloudy sky with blustery winds earlier in the day gave way to clear skies and a gentle breeze at launch time.

 

Low clouds forced the space agency to scrub an attempt Thursday night during a countdown that ran down to the wire. Managers decided3 not to try again Friday because the forecast looked even worse.

 

"Forty-eight hours makes a tremendous difference," launch director Mike Leinbach told the Discovery crew.

 

Commander Mark Polansky responded, "We look forward to lighting4 up the night sky."

 

During their 12-day mission, Discovery's crew will rewire the space station, deliver an $11 million addition to the space lab and bring home one of the space station's three crew members, German astronaut Thomas Reiter of the European Space Agency. U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams will replace him, staying for six months.

 

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1 cape ITEy6     
n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风
参考例句：
  • I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
  • She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。
2 retired Njhzyv     
adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的
参考例句：
  • The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
  • Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。
3 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的
参考例句：
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
4 lighting CpszPL     
n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光
参考例句：
  • The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
  • The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。

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