2023届高考英语二轮复习外刊阅读训练：我们正在进行一场太空竞赛

2023届高考英语二轮复习外刊阅读训练：我们正在进行一场太空竞赛 ——改编自The success of Starlink in Ukraine has ignited a new space race SpaceX is leading the new space race, which has been triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This event led to SpaceX’s Starlink system becoming vital to Ukraine’s war effort as soldiers can use it to communicate, identify targets, and upload footage in real-time. Starlink satellites are designed to beam the internet to places unreached by conventional broadband. The company has launched around 3,500 Starlink satellites since 2019, with plans to launch 40,000 total. What sets Starlink apart is the sheer amount of capacity it offers and its resistance to attack. Previously, satellite links were largely reserved for senior officers, headquarters and drone pilots, but now front-line troops can sling around videos, images and messages in real time. The number of satellites, and the speed with which they can be replaced, make trying to shoot down Starlink futile. The downsides to relying on a company like SpaceX include the cost of subsidising Ukraine's use of Starlink. Also, Mr Musk suggested a peace plan that involved Russia keeping hold of Crimea, which it invaded in 2014. However, Starlink has proven itself useful in modern warfare, giving the troops tactical agility and providing the resistance against attacks needed in a warzone. America’s friends and rivals have taken note, too. As with GPS, Europe, China and Russia are also racing to build their own mega-constellations. China and Russia are trying to come up with ways to disrupt Starlink should the need arise. Nonetheless, for the moment, America maintains a huge lead in this new space race thanks to SpaceX. 【重点词汇】 1. SpaceX [ˈspeɪsˌeks] n. 美商太空探索技术公司 2. space race [speɪs/reɪs] n. 太空竞赛 3. trigger [ˈtrɪɡər] v. 引发 4. invasion [ɪnˈveɪʒən] n. 入侵 5. Starlink [ˈstɑːrlɪŋk] n. 星链计划 6. satellite [ˈsætəlaɪt] n. 卫星 7. beam [biːm] v. 发射 8. internet [ˈɪntərnɛt] n. 互联网 9. conventional [kənˈvɛnʃənl] adj. 传统的 10. broa