VOA常速英语2013--维护外太空的可持续与安定

 

维护外太空的可持续与安定

Orbiting the Earth are satellites crucial to many aspects of life as we know it in the 21st century. But along with equipment allowing us to navigate¹ airplanes and ships, to communicate with loved ones thousands of miles away, or to gather data which will help us predict the nature and direction of the next great storm, the space around our blue planet is teeming² with junk.

众所周知，卫星环绕地球运转对21世纪生活的多个方面都至关重要。有关设备能让我们给飞机和船只导航，与数千里之遥的爱人沟通，或者收集有助于预测自然和下一次大风暴方向的数据，但环绕我们这颗蓝色星球的太空却充满了垃圾。

According to the National Aeronautics³ and Space Administration, or NASA, more than 21,000 pieces of debris⁴ larger than a tennis ball orbit the Earth, while millions of pieces of space junk too small to track circle the Earth.

据美国航天局(NASA)称，约有2.1万多个比网球还要大的碎片在环绕着地球运转，还有数百万片太小而无法追踪的太空垃圾也在环绕着地球。

“The globe-spanning and interconnected nature of space capabilities⁵ and the world’s growing dependence⁶ on them mean that irresponsible acts in space can have damaging consequences for all,” said State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf. “As a result, all nations must work together to adopt approaches for responsible activity in space to preserve this right for the benefit of future generations.”

“航天领域具有跨越全球性和相互关联的属性，同时全世界越来越依赖于这个领域，这意味着不负责的太空行为会对全人类造成破坏性后果。”国务院副发言人玛丽·哈夫如是说，“因此，各国必须协作采取措施在太空进行负责人的活动，从而维护子孙后代利用太空的权利。”

That is why the 15-member United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures in Outer Space Activities have examined numerous proposals and changes in political and technological⁷ environment since 1993.

因此，外层空间活动透明度和建立信任措施的15名联合国政府专家小组成员已经审查了1993年以来诸多有关政治和科技环境的提议和更动。

In mid-July, during its final meeting, the Group recommended that UN Member States and international organizations consider and implement⁸, on a voluntary basis, a range of measures to enhance the transparency of outer space activities, further international cooperation, consultations⁹, and outreach, and promote international coordination¹⁰ to enhance safety and predictability in the uses of outer space.

7月中旬，该小组在最后一次会议上建议，联合国成员国和国际组织在自愿的基础上考虑并实施系列措施以提高外太空活动的透明度，加强国际合作、咨询和拓展，促进国际合作以提高外太空利用的安全和可预见性。

The United States agrees “that the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried on in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international cooperation and understanding,” said Deputy Spokesperson Harf. The Group also endorsed¹¹ efforts to pursue political commitments – including a multilateral code of conduct – to encourage responsible actions in, and the peaceful use of, outer space."

联合国赞同“应依据国际法进行外太空的探索和利用，包括联合国宪章，这是为了维护国际和平与稳定，并推动国际合作与谅解，”副发言人哈夫如是说。该小组还支持采取措施实现政治承诺，包括多变行为准则，从而鼓励在外太空进行负责人的活动并和平利用外太空。

“The United States is pleased to join consensus¹² to affirm the role of voluntary, non-legally binding¹³ transparency and confidence-building measures to strengthen stability in space. This consensus sends a strong signal: States must remain committed to enhance the welfare of humankind by cooperating with others to maintain the long-term sustainability, safety, security, and stability of the space environment.”

“联合国很高兴加入共识，来确定义务、无法律约束性的透明度，以及信心建立措施从而加强太空的安定。这一共识发出这样强烈的信号：各国应致力于通过相互合作提高人类的福利，从而维护太空环境的长远可持续性、安全、安定和稳定。”

1 navigate   

v.航行，飞行；导航，领航

参考例句：

• He was the first man to navigate the Atlantic by air.他是第一个飞越大西洋的人。
• Such boats can navigate on the Nile.这种船可以在尼罗河上航行。

2 teeming   

adj.丰富的v.充满( teem的现在分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注

参考例句：

• The rain was teeming down. 大雨倾盆而下。
• the teeming streets of the city 熙熙攘攘的城市街道

3 aeronautics   

n.航空术，航空学

参考例句：

• National Aeronautics and Space undertakings have made great progress.国家的航空航天事业有了很大的发展。
• He devoted every spare moment to aeronautics.他把他所有多余的时间用在航空学上。

4 debris   

n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片

参考例句：

• After the bombing there was a lot of debris everywhere.轰炸之后到处瓦砾成堆。
• Bacteria sticks to food debris in the teeth,causing decay.细菌附着在牙缝中的食物残渣上，导致蛀牙。

5 capabilities   

n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
• Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

6 dependence   

n.依靠，依赖；信任，信赖；隶属

参考例句：

• Doctors keep trying to break her dependence of the drug.医生们尽力使她戒除毒瘾。
• He was freed from financial dependence on his parents.他在经济上摆脱了对父母的依赖。

7 technological   

adj.技术的；工艺的

参考例句：

• A successful company must keep up with the pace of technological change.一家成功的公司必须得跟上技术变革的步伐。
• Today,the pace of life is increasing with technological advancements.当今， 随着科技进步，生活节奏不断增快。

8 implement   

n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行

参考例句：

• Don't undertake a project unless you can implement it.不要承担一项计划，除非你能完成这项计划。
• The best implement for digging a garden is a spade.在花园里挖土的最好工具是铁锹。

9 consultations   

n.磋商（会议）( consultation的名词复数 )；商讨会；协商会；查找

参考例句：

• Consultations can be arranged at other times by appointment. 磋商可以通过预约安排在其他时间。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Consultations are under way. 正在进行磋商。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

10 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

11 endorsed   

vt.& vi.endorse的过去式或过去分词形式v.赞同( endorse的过去式和过去分词 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品

参考例句：

• The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger. 委员会通过了主席提出的新方案，开始就可能进行的并购进行讨论。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The government has broadly endorsed a research paper proposing new educational targets for 14-year-olds. 政府基本上支持建议对14 岁少年实行新教育目标的研究报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

13 binding   

有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的

参考例句：

• The contract was not signed and has no binding force. 合同没有签署因而没有约束力。
• Both sides have agreed that the arbitration will be binding. 双方都赞同仲裁具有约束力。