VOA标准英语2008年-Shuttle Discovery to Bring Space Station Lab -

By Paul Sisco
Washington
30 May 2008
 

Saturday's shuttle mission to the International Space Station can come none too soon for station crew members. A broken toilet has had them using a backup system, and they need a new pump mechanism¹. The crew of the shuttle Discovery is bringing them one, as well as the largest component² of Japan's contribution to the space station, a science laboratory called Kibo, meaning "hope." VOA's Paul Sisco has more on NASA's 26th mission to the International Space Station.

Discovery is counting down and the weather is cooperating for Saturday's planned shuttle launch from the NASA space center in Florida.

Shuttle commander Michael Kelly and his crew are ready to go. "My crew is ready. We have been training for a year and we are really looking forward to our launch," Kelly said.

 

A special Russian-built pump was delivered to Discovery's cargo³ hold at the last minute. It will replace the malfunctioning⁴ mechanism in the space station's toilet, which has been broken for more than a week.

However, Discovery's primary cargo is an 11-meter long Japanese module⁵. It is the largest of three components⁶ of a space laboratory called Kibo.

"It's going to be used for fundamental chemistry, fluid physics, regular physics biology experiments," Kelly said. "Some of those will come up at a later time, but it is going to be a world class laboratory."

 

The first section of the Kibo lab was delivered to the space station last March. This mission will deliver the 14,515 kilogram main pressurized module and a robotic arm that will be attached to it.

Mission specialist Karen Nyberg operates three robotic arms, and with Japanese colleague Akihiko Hoshide, will maneuver⁷ the lab modules⁸ into place.

Nyberg explains the mission. "He and I are going to be the prime crew members to get the Japanese module installed and up and running," Nyberg said.

Astronaut Ron Garan says three space walks are planned, each expected to last over six hours. In addition to hooking up Kibo, the space walkers will work to free a jammed solar wing on the station and Garan will swing around on the end of a fully⁹ extended robotic arm to stow away a spent nitrogen tank.

"Looking straight down on the aft side of the station and ... [with] the earth 250 miles below, it will be a pretty spectacular ride," Garan said.

Discovery is scheduled to return to Earth Saturday June 14.

NASA has 10 more shuttle missions planned to complete construction of the space station by 2010. That is when the space shuttle fleet is slated¹⁰ for retirement¹¹.

1 mechanism   

n.机械装置；机构，结构

参考例句：

• The bones and muscles are parts of the mechanism of the body.骨骼和肌肉是人体的组成部件。
• The mechanism of the machine is very complicated.这台机器的结构是非常复杂的。

2 component   

n.组成部分，成分，元件；adj.组成的，合成的

参考例句：

• Each component is carefully checked before assembly.每个零件在装配前都经过仔细检查。
• Blade and handle are the component parts of a knife.刀身和刀柄是一把刀的组成部分。

3 cargo   

n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物

参考例句：

• The ship has a cargo of about 200 ton.这条船大约有200吨的货物。
• A lot of people discharged the cargo from a ship.许多人从船上卸下货物。

4 malfunctioning   

出故障

参考例句：

• But something was malfunctioning in the equipment due to human error. 但由于人为的错误，设备发生故障了。 来自超越目标英语 第4册
• Choke coils are useful for prevention of malfunctioning electronic equipment. 扼流圈对于防止电器设备的故障很有帮助。 来自互联网

5 module   

n.组件，模块，模件；(航天器的)舱

参考例句：

• The centre module displays traffic guidance information.中央模块显示交通引导信息。
• Two large tanks in the service module held liquid oxygen.服务舱的两个大气瓶中装有液态氧。

6 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。

7 maneuver   

n.策略[pl.]演习；v.(巧妙)控制；用策略

参考例句：

• All the fighters landed safely on the airport after the military maneuver.在军事演习后，所有战斗机都安全降落在机场上。
• I did get her attention with this maneuver.我用这个策略确实引起了她的注意。

8 modules   

n.模块( module的名词复数 )；单元；（宇宙飞船上各个独立的）舱；组件

参考例句：

• The course consists of ten core modules and five optional modules. 这门课程包括十个必修单元和五个选修单元。
• Our English course is divided into modules on poetry, drama, and novels. 我们的英语课分为诗歌、戏剧和小说等单元。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

10 slated   

用石板瓦盖( slate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Yuki is working up an in-home phonics program slated for Thursdays, and I'm drilling her on English conversation at dinnertime. Yuki每周四还有一次家庭语音课。我在晚餐时训练她的英语口语。
• Bromfield was slated to become U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. 布罗姆菲尔德被提名为美国农业部长。

11 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。