2014英语四级听力练习慢速3.25(2)_大学英语听力

2014英语四级听力练习慢速3.25(2)

　　Today, space efforts are a $200 billion a year industry. Joint efforts between governments and businesses are helping to lower costs and increase our understanding of the universe.

　　The business of space looks good for Orbital Sciences Corporation, a company based in the United States. In January, the company launched its Antares rocket. The rocket was carrying the first of eight planned supply shipments to the International Space Station.

　　Orbital Sciences is one of two American companies paid by NASA to transport supplies to the space station.

　　A company called Arianespace is a private European space business. Arianespace launched its first satellite 30 years ago. It says may be its busiest year yet.

　　Clayton Mowry heads the American division of the company. He says the increase in rocket launches is partly the result of increased demand for space-based technologies. These include extreme high-definition broadcasts and satellite broadband service.

　　While there is more demand for satellites, the end of NASAs space shuttle program in has hurt the space industry.

　　Janice Starzyk works at International Launch Services. She works on education issues at the Washington Space Business Roundtable.

　　The shuttle program shutting down was a huge, huge set of layoffs in the industry.

　　But even as NASA reduces its spending, other countries have announced plans to explore space. In December, China became just the third country to land a space vehicle on the Moon. A month later, India launched its first communications satellite.