英语听力文摘 English Digest 2、Repair the shuttle!

　　Astronauts at the International Space Station have overcome initial fears and are preparing to perform the first spacewalk beneath the shuttle to repair two dangling¹ pieces of material.
The material, used to fill gaps between tiles, is sticking out between tiles that protect Discovery's underside during launch. When the shuttle lifts off, the tiles protect the vehicle from hot gases flowing near the external fuel tank.
NASA engineers are worried the protruding² material could change the normally smooth airflow during re-entry, creating turbulent hot air that might pose a risk to Discovery and its crew. Columbia broke up in 2003 upon re-entry when hot gases entered a crack formed during launch.
On Wednesday, astronaut Steve Robinson will be attached to the station's robotic Canadarm2. In a new move for the arm, it will reach around the vehicle to allow Robinson to reach the 'gap fillers.'
'I think a number of us, we did have some misgiving,' about the repairs said Australian astronaut Andy Thomas.' We were concerned about the implications of it and what was motivating it.'
After learning more about the robotics and the spacewalk tasks, the crew's reservations eased, said Paul Hill, lead flight director.
Ground controllers initially³ had the same reaction, he said.
'I am pretty comfortable with using tools very carefully,' Robinson told a news conference early Tuesday. 'But no doubt about it, this is going to be a very delicate task. But as I say, a simple one.'
NASA's first preference is for Robinson to pull out the two pieces with his gloved hand. One piece is protruding 2.5 centimetres and the other 1.5 centimetres.
If that doesn't work, he'll try using a hacksaw made with a bent⁴ metal blade tested to withstand the temperatures of space, while the fabric⁵ is held with forceps.
Robinson could also use scissors to cut the material so less is protruding, if he cannot remove it.
The shuttle's arm and the station's arm will move at different times and in different areas during the spacewalk to prevent them from touching⁶ each other.
To try to prevent Robinson or his tools from inadvertently striking the tiles, he will keep his safety tethers behind him, not take any extra tools and take care to keep his helmet from bumping into the bottom of the shuttle, said astronaut Dave Wolf, who demonstrated the repair tasks for reporters.
NASA officials decided⁷ it was better to try the choreographed⁸ repair mission rather than accept the uncertainty⁹ of how the protruding tile material could affect the shuttle during re-entry.
During Wednesday's spacewalk, astronauts will also scan for damage to the shuttle and attach a new external stowage platform onto the station.

1 dangling   

悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口

参考例句：

• The tooth hung dangling by the bedpost, now. 结果，那颗牙就晃来晃去吊在床柱上了。
• The children sat on the high wall,their legs dangling. 孩子们坐在一堵高墙上，摇晃着他们的双腿。

2 protruding   

v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的现在分词 )；凸

参考例句：

• He hung his coat on a nail protruding from the wall. 他把上衣挂在凸出墙面的一根钉子上。
• There is a protruding shelf over a fireplace. 壁炉上方有个突出的架子。 来自辞典例句

3 initially   

adv.最初，开始

参考例句：

• The ban was initially opposed by the US.这一禁令首先遭到美国的反对。
• Feathers initially developed from insect scales.羽毛最初由昆虫的翅瓣演化而来。

4 bent   

n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的

参考例句：

• He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。
• We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。

5 fabric   

n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织

参考例句：

• The fabric will spot easily.这种织品很容易玷污。
• I don't like the pattern on the fabric.我不喜欢那块布料上的图案。

6 touching   

adj.动人的，使人感伤的

参考例句：

• It was a touching sight.这是一幅动人的景象。
• His letter was touching.他的信很感人。

7 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

8 choreographed   

v.设计舞蹈动作( choreograph的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• There was some carefully choreographed flag-waving as the President drove by. 总统的车经过时，人们按精心编排的动作挥舞着旗帜。
• Achim had choreographed the dance in Act II himself. 阿希姆自己设计了第2幕的舞蹈动作。 来自辞典例句

9 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。