VOA标准英语2010年-US Space Shuttle Program Nears End of
时间:2019-01-13 作者:英语课 分类:VOA标准英语2010年(三月)
The U.S. space shuttle program comes to an end this year, and a debate is underway over what should replace it. The retirement 1 of the shuttle fleet could result in massive job losses in Florida.
Thousands of workers protest in Titusville, Florida over plans to cut up to 9,000 jobs at the nearby Kennedy Space Center.
Space shuttle worker Alan Newton expects to lose his job when the shuttle program ends this year. "I'm planning on doing whatever I have to to find another job. As much as I don't look forward to it, I do know that I'm going to have to," he said.
Since NASA put a man on the moon in 1969 Florida has been the hub of American space exploration.
The region around the Kennedy Space Center at Cape 2 Canaveral even calls itself The Space Coast.
The U.S. government estimates NASA boosted Florida's economy by around $4billion in 2008, and generated more than 40,000 jobs.
The Dixie Crossroads restaurant in Titusville depends on business from space workers. Its owner, Lauralee Thompson, says she is worried about a future without the space shuttle. "People don't tend to go out and eat a lot when they don't have a lot of money. So, you know, the impending 3 layoffs 4 at the Cape are a major concern for us," she said.
Political and business leaders are scrambling 5 to find ways to soften 6 the economic impact of the layoffs, meeting recently in Orlando to discuss options.
One projection 7 indicates that 23,000 jobs with direct or indirect ties to the space industry, could be lost in Florida within a year.
Mark Nappi from United Space Alliance, NASA's largest shuttle contractor 8, says job cuts at the Kennedy Space Center could be just the beginning. "For every job that's created by the space program, there are jobs that are affected 9 by that. If I lose my job and I'm not out buying cars, I'm not using the doctor, I'm not going to restaurants. Obviously there's a trickle 10 effect out into the economy so there's a loss of jobs as a result," he said.
Some shuttle workers had hoped to get jobs developing a rocket and capsule to take astronauts back to the Moon by 2020.
But the Obama administration says it wants to scrap 11 the program, known as Constellation 12, following an independent panel's finding that NASA lacks the resources to see it through.
Instead, the White House favors using private operators to carry astronauts into orbit.
Shuttle worker Jeffrey Bell argues NASA should continue with Constellation. "Let's not have to rely on other countries and private industry. Let's keep the jobs, let's keep the community, and let's move forward," he said.
Space Florida, the agency responsible for developing the state's aerospace 13 sector 14, says it is trying to attract new industries that use space-based technologies.
President Frank DiBello predicts workers will be able to find jobs once the shuttle program ends. "It's an available pool of skilled labor 15 talent that other industries covet 16. We want to be able to apply them to new generation space programs, but also we intend to diversify 17 Florida's economy," he said.
Some of these NASA workers claim efforts to redeploy their skills in other areas come too late with just four shuttle missions remaining.
President Obama is set to visit Florida in April to host a conference on his administration's plans for space.
- She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
- I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。
- 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。
- Against a background of impending famine, heavy fighting took place. 即将发生饥荒之时,严重的战乱爆发了。
- The king convoke parliament to cope with the impending danger. 国王召开国会以应付迫近眉睫的危险。
- Textile companies announced 2000 fresh layoffs last week. 各纺织公司上周宣布再次裁员两千人。
- Stock prices broke when the firm suddenly announced layoffs. 当公司突然宣布裁员时,股票价格便大跌
- Scrambling up her hair, she darted out of the house. 她匆忙扎起头发,冲出房去。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
- She is scrambling eggs. 她正在炒蛋。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- Plastics will soften when exposed to heat.塑料适当加热就可以软化。
- This special cream will help to soften up our skin.这种特殊的护肤霜有助于使皮肤变得柔软。
- Projection takes place with a minimum of awareness or conscious control.投射在最少的知觉或意识控制下发生。
- The projection of increases in number of house-holds is correct.对户数增加的推算是正确的。
- The Tokyo contractor was asked to kick $ 6000 back as commission.那个东京的承包商被要求退还6000美元作为佣金。
- The style of house the contractor builds depends partly on the lay of the land.承包商所建房屋的式样,有几分要看地势而定。
- She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
- His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
- The stream has thinned down to a mere trickle.这条小河变成细流了。
- The flood of cars has now slowed to a trickle.汹涌的车流现在已经变得稀稀拉拉。
- A man comes round regularly collecting scrap.有个男人定时来收废品。
- Sell that car for scrap.把那辆汽车当残品卖了吧。
- A constellation is a pattern of stars as seen from the earth. 一个星座只是从地球上看到的某些恒星的一种样子。
- The Big Dipper is not by itself a constellation. 北斗七星本身不是一个星座。
- 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。
- The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
- The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。
- We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
- He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后,他已经疲惫不堪了。
- We do not covet anything from any nation.我们不觊觎任何国家的任何东西。
- Many large companies covet these low-cost acquisition of troubled small companies.许多大公司都觊觎低价收购这些陷入困境的小公司。