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March 14
Jodrell Bank radio telescope
1960: Radio telescope makes space history
England have
The radio telescope at Jodrell Bank has set a new space record making
contact with the American Pioneer V satellite at a distance of 407,000
miles.
The previous record, about 290,000 miles, was set by the Soviet satellite
Lunik III, which photographed the back of the moon last year.
Jodrell first made contact with Pioneer V after it went into orbit around
the sun, between the paths of earth and Venus.
The American satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida three
days ago on 11 March.
Solar "paddles"
Shortly after launch, the Jodrell Bank telescope was used for the first
time to give commands to a rocket in space.
By pressing a button at Jodrell Bank, the 90lb (43kg) payload was separated
from the third stage of the launching rocket.
The telescope then succeeded in switching off the satellite"s transmitter,
which will help conserve its battery power for later in the mission.
It is hoped eventually Jodrell Bank will be able to pick up signals from
the satellite up to 50 million miles from earth.
This will only be made possible by the very large solar-powered batteries
on board which run the transmitter. The solar "paddles" projecting from the
satellite will recharge the batteries using the sun"s radiation, but the current
will still need to be conserved if it is to last until July, as planned.
The transmitter will be switched on for no more than 45 minutes a day at
first. Later transmitting time will be reduced to five minutes a day.
Within a week, the satellite will be more than a million miles from earth
and its more powerful 150-watt transmitter will have to be switched on by
command from Jodrell Bank.
Princess Grace and Prince Rainier have been married for two years
1958: "Bonny" Prince Albert of Monaco born
Artificially 1969:
The A celebratory 101-gun salute has been fired in Monaco after Princess
Grace - formerly film star Grace Kelly - gave birth to a son.
In spite of elaborate arrangements made for announcing the birth, the world
learnt about the baby"s arrival when a woman at a palace window shouted to
waiting journalists: "It"s a boy, it"s a boy".
The 8lb 11oz baby who was born at just before 1100 local time is to be
named Albert Alexandre Louis Pierre.
The baby takes automatic precedence over his one-year-old sister, Princess
Caroline.
The young princess appeared on a palace balcony in the arms of her father,
Prince Rainier III, shortly after her brother was born.
Prince Rainier later broadcast an address to the nation announcing the
Crown Prince"s birth.
Speaking to journalists, the princess" mother, Margaret Kelly said both her
daughter and the baby were doing well.
"It is a bonny, bonny prince," Mrs Kelly said.
Treaty
Flags and flowers have been put up all over the principality and tomorrow
has been declared a public holiday.
It is also expected that Prince Rainier will pardon all six prisoners in
Monaco"s jail.
The new baby makes doubly sure control of Monaco will not pass to its
neighbour France after the death of Prince Rainier.
A treaty between the two countries in 1918 stipulated if there was ever no
heir to Monaco"s throne the principality would become subject to French
laws.
Prince Rainier, 35, has ruled Monaco since 1949.
He succeeded his grandfather to become the country"s 31st ruler.
Vocabulary:
scrupulous : Careful; cautious; exact(小心谨慎的，细心的) |
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发表于 2016-7-9 23:20:49