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The space race is not simply the objective search for knowledge it is often made out to be. 太空竞争的目的不单单是客观地探求知识，虽然它常常自命如此。 It is just an extension of the race for power on earth. Only the wealthiest nations can compete and they do so in the name of pure scientific research. 它其实是在地球上进行的权力竞争延伸。只有那些最富裕的国家才能参与竞争，并且他们总是打着纯科学研究的旗号。 But in reality, all they are interested in is power and prestige. They want to impress us, their spectators, with a magnificent show of strength. 实际上，他们感兴趣的惟有权力和威望。他们希望他们对自己的力量所做的壮观的展示会给我们，他们的观众，留下深刻的印象。 Man has played the power game ever since he appeared on earth. Now he is playing it as it has never been played before. 人类自从在地球上出现以后就开始玩权力游戏。现在他们更是把这种游戏玩得史无前例。 The space race is just another aspect of the age-old argument that might is right. 太空竞争只是强权即公理这一古老论点的另一方面。 We are often told that technological know-how, acquired in attempting to get us into orbit, will be utilized to make better on earth. But what has the space race done to relieve the suffering of the earths starving millions? In what way has it raised the standard of living of any one of us? | 
