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September 29
The launch went without a hitch
1988: Shuttle blasts US back into space
England have
The United States has successfully launched its first manned space mission
since the Challenger disaster two and a half years ago.
The space shuttle, Discovery, lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 1637 BST
after a 90-minute delay due to unsuitable weather conditions.
Half a million people in the streets around the Kennedy Space Center
watched the take-off, which Nasa said went without a hitch .
The primary objective of the five-man crew commanded by Frederick Hauck is
to launch a communications satellite - a replacement for one lost when
Challenger exploded.
But the successful completion of the four-day mission is also crucial for
the future of America"s space programme and the nation"s prestige
The tension in the space centre"s control room increased as the take-off
was delayed after weather reports said winds in the upper atmosphere were too
light.
But relief began to set in after the shuttle flight passed the
psychological barrier of 73 seconds - the time after launch when Challenger was
lost.
"I"m just glad to see us going again - it"s important not only from a
supply for the space station aspect but means we can get on doing the research
we"re supposed to," Senator John Glenn told the BBC.
US President Ronald Reagan - who watched the launch from the White House -
announced he was delighted with the achievement.
"America is back in space! We"re now looking forward to the successful
completion of the Discovery mission and the safe return of her five-member
crew," he said.
It is the first time a reigning Pope has ever visited Ireland
1979: Pope calls for peace in Ireland
Artificially 1969: FilmTheTheAA Pope John Paul II has called on the people
of Ireland to end all violence and return to "the ways of peace".
The 57-year-old pontiff made his appeal in front of a 300,000-strong crowd
at Drogheda, a few miles from the Northern Irish border, during the first day of
an historic tour of southern Ireland.
The Pope touched down at Dublin airport earlier today where he was met by
the Irish president, Dr Patrick Hillery and a host of religious leaders.
It is the first time a reigning Pope has ever visited this devoutly
Catholic country and John Paul II, who became Pope just 11 months ago, appears
determined to use the trip to broadcast his messages of peace.
"Passionate pleading"
Before travelling to Drogheda he was flown to Phoenix Park in Dublin where
he delivered an open-air sermon to more than 1.25 million people - nearly a
third of Ireland"s entire population.
He was loudly applauded at Drogheda when he said, in a direct address to
the consciences of both terrorists and politicians: "I appeal to you in language
of passionate pleading.
"On my knees I beg you to turn away from the paths of violence and return
to the ways of peace."
He continued: "To Catholics, to Protestants, my message is peace and love.
May no Irish Protestant think the Pope is an enemy, a danger or a threat."
He also called on Ireland"s youth not to engage in violence: "I appeal to
young people who may have become caught up in organisations engaged in
violence.
"I say to you, with all the love I have for you, with all the trust I have
in young people: Do not listen to voices which speak the language of hatred,
revenge, retaliation."
The Pope"s original schedule had included a visit to Armagh in Northern
Ireland but the Vatican called off the plans to go north of the border a day
after the murder of Lord Mountbatten and the IRA ambush which resulted in the
deaths of 18 soldiers in Warrenpoint in County Down.
Preparations have been taking place for weeks. The entire Dublin police
force has had all leave cancelled for the duration of the visit, bunting in the
papal colours of yellow and white has been hung across the city and people have
been travelling from all over the country to catch a glimpse of the dynamic
Polish priest.
The rest of his trip will include visits to Galway and to the Marian shrine
at Knock in County Mayo where, 100 years ago, local people claimed to have seen
apparitions of the Virgin Mary. It is anticipated that more than 500,000 people
will attend an open-air mass at Knock.
The following day he will visit St Patrick"s College at Maynooth and then
travel by helicopter to Limerick before leaving for Boston airport to begin a
tour of the US.
Vocabulary:
hitch: the state of inactivity following an interruption(故障;猛拉)
pontiff : the head of the Roman Catholic Church(罗马教皇;主教)
apparition : An unexpected, wonderful, or preternatural
appearance(幻影;离奇出现的东西) |
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发表于 2016-7-9 23:18:23