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China marked another forward step for its space program Thursday by launching its first space laboratory module. |
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中國的太空計畫在週四又邁出了另一步，發射了該國第一具太空實驗室模組。 |
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"We must soberly recognize that China's space-station technology is still in its initial stage, compared to those of the U.S. and Russia," said a commentary from the state-run Xinhua News Agency. |
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"But the launch of Tiangong-1 is the beginning of China's efforts to narrow the gap." |
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「我們必須清楚認知到，相較於美、俄兩國的技術，中國的太空站科技發展仍然處於起步階段，」國營新聞通訊社新華社的一則評論指出：「但天宮一號的發射乃是中國努力縮小差距的開端。」 |
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Analysts and China-watchers agree. |
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分析師與中國觀察家都同意這項說法。 |
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According to Taylor Fravel, associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, "The test reflects China's technological advances, funded by its rapid economic growth and facilitated by the military's ballistic missile program." |
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根據麻省理工學院副教授傅泰林表示：「這項考驗反映了中國的科技進展，一方面獲得該國快速經濟成長的資助，另一方面也受益於軍方的彈道飛彈計畫。」 |
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The unmanned space-lab is an eight-ton module called Tiangong-1, or "Heavenly Palace." The name is a reference to the name given to the cosmos in ancient China. |
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這座無人駕駛的太空實驗室是一具八噸重的模組，稱為天宮一號。這個名稱是中國古代對宇宙的稱呼。 |
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Plans are for the Tiangong-1 to remain in space for two years. |
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It is expected to dock with an unmanned spacecraft in November. |
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Experts say the rendezvous next month will be the true test of the mission. |
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根據計畫，天宮一號將在太空中停留兩年，並且預計在十一月與一艘無人駕駛的太空船對接。專家指出，下個月的會合將是這次任務的真正考驗。 |
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"Docking is necessary for the development of a space station, which is China's long-term objective," said Fravel. |
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「對接是發展太空站的必要之舉，而建立太空站正是中國的長期目標，」傅泰林說。 |
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With its sights set on constructing its own manned space station by 2020, China needs to master this docking technique. |
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中國目標在二０二０年前建造自有的載人太空站，因此必須精通對接的技術。 |
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Eventual plans call for sending a man to the moon and even the exploration of Mars. |
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Such achievements would place China in the same league as the United States as a superpower in space. |
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終極的計畫包括將太空人送上月球，甚至探索火星。這樣的成就將使得中國躋身與美國同等級的太空強國。 |
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This week's launch is more than a space mission. |
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It is also a carefully orchestrated propaganda campaign meant to boost national pride and prestige. |
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China also hopes to reap other benefits. |
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Space missions, experts say, spur technological and scientific breakthroughs in such fields as electronics, computer, engineering, materials and other industries. |
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There are military and electronic-intelligence applications, as well. |
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本週的發射不僅是一項太空任務，也是一項精心規劃的政治宣傳活動，目的在於提振國家尊嚴與聲望。中國也希望獲致其他效益。專家指出，太空任務會激發電子、電腦、工程、材料及其他產業的科技與科學突破。另外，這樣的成就也可應用在軍事與電子情報上。 |
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