中国完成首次海上火箭发射 China conducts first seaborne rocket launch

China carried out the country's first seaborne space launch(发射 fāshè) on Wednesday, June 5, from a platform in the Yellow Sea, opening a new chapter(新篇章 xīn piānzhāng) in its space industry.

A Long March 11 solid-propellant carrier rocket(火箭 huǒjiàn) blasted off at 12:06 p.m. Beijing time from a mobile launch platform(平台 píngtái) – a modified submersible craft – in the Yellow Sea off the eastern province of Shandong.

It sent seven satellites(卫星 wèixīng) into orbit(轨道 guǐdào) about 600 kilometers above the Earth, showcasing China's mastery of the technologies(技术 jìshù) and capabilities(能力 nénglì).

With this first seaborne space launch in the world in five years, China is striving to expand its launch service portfolio and promote its carrier rockets to more countries, especially those wishing to have their own affordable satellite networks.

Launching a carrier rocket from an ocean-based platform has many advantages(优势 yōushì) over a land launch. The launch site is more flexible(灵活 línghuó), and falling rocket remains pose less of a danger(危险 wéixiǎn). Launching rockets at sea would lower launch costs(费用 fèiyòng) and give it a commercial edge.

重点词汇 Key Word:

优势 superiority; advantage

• Yōushì zài wǒmen duì zhèbiān.
  优势在我们队这边。
  The odds are on our team.

• Gāi gōngsī zài jìngzhēng zhōng wéiyī de yōushì shì tā de wèizhì.
  该公司在竞争中唯一的优势是它的位置。
  The company's only advantage over the competition is its location.