Countdown to Space Tourism 宇宙旅遊夢想倒數計時

By Rajesh Mirchandani, California, USA

10, 9, 8, 7... would you like to try space travel?

媒體英語會帶大家一起學習BBC撰稿人在報導世界大事時常用到的單字和片語。

Background: 維京集團總裁 Richard Branson 向大眾展示了世界上第一艘商業載人宇宙飛船。等通過嚴格的試航測試以後，六名乘客將有機會登上這艘子彈型飛船，真正感受宇宙旅行的刺激。

It’s 60 feet (18.3 metres) long, made of lightweight, fuel-efficient material and can carry eight people out of this world and back.

The first commercial spaceship was unveiled by Sir Richard Branson, who hopes to start passenger trips within two years. The price tag: £130,000 (1.4 million yuan).

"In time we hope to get that price down and down and down so that, you know, one day, people can think: 'Shall I take my family on holiday to the Caribbean or maybe we should try space travel this year?' That’s our aim."

Those that can pay will get the ultimate three-hour thrill ride. The spaceship rockets to 62 miles above the earth’s surface. Passengers will feel weightless for up to five minutes before heading down through the atmosphere and gliding back to earth.

Organisers say some 300 have already signed up. Space, as a tourist destination, may be one step closer.