Boeing said Wednesday that it was entering the space tourism business, an announcement that could bolster（增强）the Obama administration’s efforts to transform the National Aeronautics and Space Administration into an agency that focuses less on building rockets and more on nurturing a commercial space industry.
The flights, which could begin as early as 2015, would most likely launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida to the International Space Station. The Obama administration has proposed turning over to private companies the business of taking NASA astronauts to orbit, and Boeing and Bigelow Aerospace of Las Vegas won an $18 million contract this year for preliminary (初步的)development and testing of a capsule that could carry seven passengers.
Current NASA plans call for four space station crew members to go up at a time, which would leave up to three seats available for space tourists. The flights would be the first to give nonprofessional astronauts the chance to go into orbit aboard a spacecraft launched from the United States. Seven earlier space tourists have made visits to the space station, riding in Russian Soyuz capsules.
“We’re ready now to start talking to possible customers,” said Eric C. Anderson, co-founder and chairman of Space Adventures, the space tourism company based in Virginia that would market the seats for Boeing.
Boeing and Space Adventures have not set a price, although Mr. Anderson said it would be competitive with the Soyuz flights, which Space Adventures arranged with the Russian Space Agency. Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil, paid about $40 million for a Soyuz ride and an eight-day stay at the space station last year. But the possibilities that anyone buying a ticket will get to space on an American vehicle depend on discussions in Congress about the future of NASA.
【小题1】 Which of the following is most probably a private travel company?
A. Boeing.                     B. Space Adventure.
C. NASA.                       D. Russian Space Agency.
【小题2】 How many people can be carried along on a capsule to the space station?

Travelling around the world with children is difficult enough, but attempting it without using motorized transport is even more of challenge. But Dario Schworer, a 42-year-old climatologist and mountain guide, and his 33-year-old wife Sabine are on a journey to do just that.
The Swiss couple want to travel across the world’s oceans and climb the highest mountain on every continent to promote Earth-friendly ways of life.
“We are collecting good examples of dealing with climate change and living in harmony with nature and we want to spread such ideas,” Schworer said. “We want to help people affected by global warming and to inspire children for the future.”
Recently after having spent three months teaching children in the Everest region, the couple want to show it is possible to travel through as the world’s climate zones using just human-power and forces of nature.
In the 47 countries they have visited so far they have collected 22 tons of trash, taught people in Ecuador how the sun’s rays can be used to clean water and inspired a person in Chile to build a house on water with recycled plastic bottles as a foundation. They have also collected trash in the mountains of Nepal with school children.
So far they have communicated with 45,000 children from South America, Australia and Asia, giving presentations about the importance of recycling and using alternative energy like solar and wind power.
“We need to motivate children,” said Sabine.
When they began their adventure in 2003 they had no children of their own. But since then two has become five: daughter Sabine is now five years old, Andri was born in Chile and baby Noe was born in Australia.
Initially the couple thought they would complete their travels in four years, but now, seven years later, they believe it could take seven more.
“Since our belief is the need to respect nature, we travel only when conditions are good,” Schworer said.
【小题1】Why do the Swiss couple travel around the world?

Travelling around the world with children is difficult enough, but attempting it without using motorized transport is even more of challenge. But Dario Schworer, a 42-year-old climatologist and mountain guide, and his 33-year-old wife Sabine are on a journey to do just that.

The Swiss couple want to travel across the world’s oceans and climb the highest mountain on every continent to promote Earth-friendly ways of life.

“We are collecting good examples of dealing with climate change and living in harmony with nature and we want to spread such ideas,” Schworer said. “We want to help people affected by global warming and to inspire children for the future.”

Recently after having spent three months teaching children in the Everest region, the couple want to show it is possible to travel through as the world’s climate zones using just human-power and forces of nature.

In the 47 countries they have visited so far they have collected 22 tons of trash, taught people in Ecuador how the sun’s rays can be used to clean water and inspired a person in Chile to build a house on water with recycled plastic bottles as a foundation. They have also collected trash in the mountains of Nepal with school children.

So far they have communicated with 45,000 children from South America, Australia and Asia, giving presentations about the importance of recycling and using alternative energy like solar and wind power.

“We need to motivate children,” said Sabine.

When they began their adventure in 2003 they had no children of their own. But since then two has become five: daughter Sabine is now five years old, Andri was born in Chile and baby Noe was born in Australia.

Initially the couple thought they would complete their travels in four years, but now, seven years later, they believe it could take seven more.

“Since our belief is the need to respect nature, we travel only when conditions are good,” Schworer said.

1.Why do the Swiss couple travel around the world?

A．To inspire their children for the future.

B．To prove a travel without motorized transport.

C．To explore the secret of global warming.

D．To promote Earth-friendly ways of life.

2.They did a lot during the travel except ________.

A．build a house with recycled plastic bottles

B．collect rubbish and waste

C．communicate with local children

D．show people how to use energy

3.What’s the meaning of the underlined word “Initially”?

A．In the end         B．In a way           C．At the beginning    D．On the whole

4.The best title of the passage can be ________.

A．A Swiss family’ journey across the world

B．An eco-friendly adventure across the world

C．We have a long way to make a good travel

D．Nature needs respecting and protecting

Trip 1 Black Bear Count

There have been fires in this area in the last few years and the Office of the National Park is not sure how many black bears are still living. Some bears have been seen since the fires, and the Office has asked for young people to help count them. The entire trip will last three hours. Bookings necessary.

Cost: Free       When: May 8

Trip 2 Garland Valley

Bring your drink and lunch for this walk in a beautiful area of the Blue Mountains. Garland Valley is close to the town of Garland hut is part of the National Park. Many wild animals live in this area, including many rare birds. This is a great walk for bird-lovers. The trip lasts four hours. Bookings necessary.

Cost: $ 15       When: May 8, May 15

Trip 3 Flashlight Adventure

Put on your warm clothes, bring a flashlight and a pair of glasses, and come for a night walk along the Dungog Valley. A guide will lead the tour. Many of the animals you will see on this trip . The guide will tell you about the lives of the animals you see. Numbers are strictly limited on night trips, so be sure to book early. This walk lasts two and a half hours.

Cost: $ 12       When: May 8, May 15, May22

Equipment to be needed:

?      Please bring enough water and food for all walks.

?      Wear good walking shoes—no high heels.

?      Wear a hat for day walks.

?      Dress warmly for night walks.

?      Children must be with an adult.

?      Make sure your flashlight works well and bring extra batteries for night walks.

?      Follow all instructions from guides during the walks. The mountains are a dangerous place.

Bookings:

?      Bookings for the above trips can be trade by telephone（893 — 4847）or on the Internet at www. Bluemountaintour. com

1.Where are these trips?

2.On which trip might you see animals that sleep during the day?

3. Which of the following is NOT necessary for the three trips?

4. Which following statement about Flashlight Adventure is NOT true according to the passage?

5. What is the best title for the passage?