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October 4
The satellite"s size has amazed scientists
1957: "Sputnik" satellite blasts into space
England have
A Russian satellite has been launched into space - the first man-made
object ever to leave the Earth"s atmosphere.
The Russian news agency, Tass, said the satellite "Sputnik" was now 560
miles (900 kilometres) above the Earth and circling it every
hour-and-a-half.
Scientists predict the metal sphere will eventually burn up in the
atmosphere but they hope it will send important data back to Earth before doing
so.
The Soviet Union and the USA have both committed to launching satellites
for research as part of the International Geophysical Year (IGY).
Delegations from both countries" IGY committees were at a reception at the
Russian embassy in Washington when news of Sputnik"s launch came through.
The chairman of the American IGY committee, Dr Joseph Kaplan, congratulated
the Russians on a "remarkable achievement".
The leader of the Russian delegation, Dr A A Blagonravov, who is believed
to have been closely involved with the preparations for the launch, described
Sputnik as "the simplest kind of baby moon".
He attributed its weight - 180lb (83.5kg) - largely to heavy batteries.
The satellite"s weight has led some American experts to speculate that the
rocket which launched it might also be capable of carrying a nuclear weapon
thousands of miles.
The fact that Sputnik is expected to fly over the US seven times a day has
also caused unease.
There have already been calls for an immediate review of US defences, given
the implications of the technological leap ahead by a political enemy.
But Dr Blagonravov said no-one had anything to fear from the Soviet
satellite programme.
"It will keep everyone too busy watching the instruments to think about
anything else," he said.
President Eisenhower has been informed of the Russian success.
But he said the news would not lead the US to accelerate its own satellite
programme.
The first ever 125 service left on time and arrived...three minutes
early
1976: New train speeds into service
Artificially 1969: FilmTheTheAA British Rail began its new 125mph High
Speed Train (HST) service today. The first London-Bristol service arrived three
minutes early.
The Inter-City 125 has been introduced to provide a regular high speed
service between Cardiff, Bristol and London.
British Rail will extend the HST service to other major cities over the
next two years.
Powered by two diesel motors the Inter-City 125 has recorded a top speed of
over 140mph in trial runs, making it the fastest diesel -powered train in the
world.
Most other countries have developed electrically powered high-speed
trains.
The cost of electrification on Britain"s network was considered prohibitive
so the diesel-powered 125 is a new product from existing technology.
In the absence of an official ceremony by British Rail to mark the
occasion, few passengers were aware they were making history this morning as the
first 0805 left Paddington on time.
But most travellers did appreciate some improvement in comfort. The
carriages feature aircraft-like seating, with sliding electric doors at each
end.
Hot food is served quickly from an on-board kitchen with the aid of a
state-of-the-art microwave oven.
Rail bosses are hopeful the improved service, which has been introduced
without a rise in fares, will bring in more business.
Increased fares over the last two years have been linked to a fall in
passenger traffic of 15 to 20%.
Vocabulary:
diesel: an internal-combustion engine that burns heavy oil(柴油机) |
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发表于 2016-7-9 23:18:25