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VOA慢速英语2014 Do Long Periods in Space Affect the Body and Mind? 长期在太空停留影响身心健康?

时间:2014-04-04 15:33:14

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Do Long Periods in Space Affect the Body and Mind? 长期在太空停留影响身心健康?

From VOA Learning English, this is Science in the News.

I’m Anna Matteo.

And I’m Christopher Cruise.

Today we report on recent developments in space science. We tell about the growing demand for communications satellites and space-based imaging services. We also tell about China’s first robotic vehicle on the moon. But first, we examine the effect of longer space flights on humans.

How Do Long Periods in Space Affect the Body and Mind?

Human beings have a natural desire to explore the unknown. People with a strong interest in space like to say it is the last place left to explore. But scientists are warning that space exploration for long periods is not going to be easy. They say the human body is not designed to stay in space over an extended period.

The New York Times recently published a report about scientists who are preparing astronauts for a trip to the Moon. The newspaper said the scientists want to make sure that their crews return home in good health. But there are many problems to be solved before people are ready for long trips to the Moon, an asteroid1 or even the planet Mars.

Humans developed on a planet with a surface that is more than 70 percent water. Our bodies are also about 70 percent water.  When there is no gravity that water moves up toward the head, raising pressure in the skull2. Arms and legs grow weaker at what is called zero gravity because they no longer need to push against the force of gravity.

Five years ago, astronauts who spent weeks in space reported a change in their eyesight. These astronauts were members of the crew on the International Space Station. Research showed a change in the shape of their eyes. Normally-round eyeballs had become flat during time in space. The research also showed that the right eye was affected3 more than the left, and that men were more affected than women. Scientists could not find an explanation for the differences.

Bone loss was one of the problems first reported by astronauts returning to Earth after longer stays in space. So scientists designed exercise machines to use on the space station. Tests showed that the exercise equipment helped space travelers keep their bones almost as strong as when they left Earth.

There are other health issues for astronauts who spend a long time in space. They may have problems eating and sleeping. But the biggest health issue is exposure to radiation. On Earth, human beings are protected by the atmosphere and the planet’s magnetic field. In outer space, there is no such protection.

For more than 50 years, the health of American astronauts has been a concern of NASA -- the National Aeronautics4 and Space Administration. NASA does not let the risk of cancer for its astronauts rise more than three percent during their lifetime. But there is more to be worried about than a possible increased risk of cancer.

On Long Island, New York, scientists have been studying the effect of cosmic rays on mice. The scientists say they have found possible brain damage to the animals.

Another problem for astronauts is the difficulty of exchanging information with people on Earth during long flights. There is no delay now in communicating between astronauts and flight headquarters -- known as Mission Control. But messages between Earth and distant planets will take minutes to arrive.

Mental health is another important issue for long space flights. And, because astronauts will be inside their small spaceship together for months, they must work well as a team. There could be problems if one of the astronauts develops personality issues.

?NASA plans to send humans to Mars by 2030. The mission would take about two-and-a-half years. That is almost six times longer than the longest stay in space. One reason NASA extended the life of the International Space Station was to do more medical research on the effects of a longer stay in space.  

Starting in 2015, an American astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut are to stay on the space station for one full year. The Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov has already stayed longer than a year in space. He worked on the Russian space station Mir in 1994 and 1995.

Scientists say they now have better measuring devices and testing methods. They want to use them to study the changes in the body and mind during long stays in zero gravity. Their research is aimed at learning if such changes in physical condition will remain or will return to normal a few months after they have returned to Earth.

China’s “Jade5 Rabbit” Explorer: Sleeping on the Moon

 

Robots in space do not have the health problems of humans, but they can develop operating problems. China’s first Moon explorer landed on the Moon in December. But it developed problems in January. 

The Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that scientists were working to fix the robotic vehicle, which is known as “Jade Rabbit.” The vehicle is named for a small animal in traditional Chinese stories about a Moon goddess.

China’s State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense6 said the problems were a result of what it called (a) “complicated lunar surface environment.” The agency provided no other information. 

But in February, the Jade Rabbit showed signs of life. A spokesman for the program was reported as saying technicians are still investigating the cause of what he called the “mechanical control malfunction7.” The problem caused the vehicle to go into a rest or "sleep mode." The Jade Rabbit is designed to enter sleep mode to survive the extreme cold nights on the moon. 

The rover came to life briefly8 on February 23rd before entering sleep mode again. There have been no reports of the Jade Rabbit waking since then. The device remains9 in its third sleep since landing on the Moon.

Future for Businesses Working in Space Looks Hopeful

Launching rockets into space has become almost commonplace. The demand for communications satellites and space-based image services is growing.

Today, space efforts are a $200 billion a year industry. Joint10 efforts between governments and businesses are helping11 to lower costs and increase our understanding of the universe.

The business of space looks good for Orbital Sciences Corporation, a company based in the United States. In January, the company launched its Antares rocket. The rocket was carrying the first of eight planned supply shipments to the International Space Station.

Orbital Sciences is one of two American companies paid by NASA to transport supplies to the space station.

A company called “Arianespace” is a private European space business. Arianespace launched its first satellite 30 years ago. It says 2014 may be its busiest year yet.

Clayton Mowry heads the American division of the company. He says the increase in rocket launches is partly the result of increased demand for space-based technologies. These include extreme high-definition broadcasts and satellite broadband service.

While there is more demand for satellites, the end of NASA's space shuttle program in 2011 has hurt the space industry.

Janice Starzyk works at International Launch Services. She works on education issues at the Washington Space Business Roundtable.

“The shuttle program shutting down was a huge, huge set of layoffs12 in the industry.”

But even as NASA reduces its spending, other countries have announced plans to explore space. In December, China became just the third country to land a space vehicle on the Moon. A month later, India launched its first communications satellite.

Trying to Prove Space Flight Doesn’t Have to Be Costly13

In Denmark, two people are attempting to prove that space flight does not need to be costly. They are using designs that are free to anyone. They are attempting to pay for rocket launches by asking interested people to make a donation to the project.

Kristian Von Bengtson helped start the company, called Copenhagen Suborbitals. He has dreamed since he was a boy of launching a rocket 100 kilometers into space. He wants to launch a rocket built by a private company for less money than expected.

“Everybody believes that space flight -- manned space flight -- can only be done with billions of dollars, and it has to be government-financed. I hope that we can show that you can do it on a shoestring14 budget. You can pretty much do it yourself.”

Kristian Von Bengtson hopes to launch a rocket carrying astronauts into space by 2020.

Students: Think About Space Careers

As more companies enter the space industry, they will need highly-trained and educated workers. Janice Starzyk says the Space Business Roundtable will continue to urge students to consider careers in space.

"Actually, it’s a major problem in, in most countries of getting young people interested in, in studying engineering, and specifically aerospace15 engineering.”

She says attendance at her organization’s space academy program has risen over the last three years. She says that as demand increases for rocket launches, so will the demand for highly-trained engineers and other space workers.

This Science in the News was written and produced by Christopher Cruise.

I’m Anna Matteo.


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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 asteroid uo1yD     
n.小行星;海盘车(动物)
参考例句:
  • Astronomers have yet to witness an asteroid impact with another planet.天文学家还没有目击过小行星撞击其它行星。
  • It's very unlikely that an asteroid will crash into Earth but the danger exists.小行星撞地球的可能性很小,但这样的危险还是存在的。
2 skull CETyO     
n.头骨;颅骨
参考例句:
  • The skull bones fuse between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five.头骨在15至25岁之间长合。
  • He fell out of the window and cracked his skull.他从窗子摔了出去,跌裂了颅骨。
3 affected TzUzg0     
adj.不自然的,假装的
参考例句:
  • She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
  • His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。
4 aeronautics BKVyg     
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。
5 jade i3Pxo     
n.玉石;碧玉;翡翠
参考例句:
  • The statue was carved out of jade.这座塑像是玉雕的。
  • He presented us with a couple of jade lions.他送给我们一对玉狮子。
6 defense AxbxB     
n.防御,保卫;[pl.]防务工事;辩护,答辩
参考例句:
  • The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
  • The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。
7 malfunction 1ASxT     
vi.发生功能故障,发生故障,显示机能失常
参考例句:
  • There must have been a computer malfunction.一定是出了电脑故障。
  • Results have been delayed owing to a malfunction in the computer.由于电脑发生故障,计算结果推迟了。
8 briefly 9Styo     
adv.简单地,简短地
参考例句:
  • I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
  • He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。
9 remains 1kMzTy     
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹
参考例句:
  • He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
  • The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。
10 joint m3lx4     
adj.联合的,共同的;n.关节,接合处;v.连接,贴合
参考例句:
  • I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤,肩膀脫臼了。
  • We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。
11 helping 2rGzDc     
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的
参考例句:
  • The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
  • By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
12 layoffs ce61a640e39c61e757a47e52d4154974     
临时解雇( layoff的名词复数 ); 停工,停止活动
参考例句:
  • Textile companies announced 2000 fresh layoffs last week. 各纺织公司上周宣布再次裁员两千人。
  • Stock prices broke when the firm suddenly announced layoffs. 当公司突然宣布裁员时,股票价格便大跌
13 costly 7zXxh     
adj.昂贵的,价值高的,豪华的
参考例句:
  • It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
  • This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用,左不过贵了些。
14 shoestring nizzcE     
n.小额资本;adj.小本经营的
参考例句:
  • In the early years,the business was run on a shoestring.早年,这家店铺曾是小本经营。
  • How can I take the best possible digital pictures on a shoestring budget?怎样用很小投资拍摄最好的数码照片?
15 aerospace CK2yf     
adj.航空的,宇宙航行的
参考例句:
  • The world's entire aerospace industry is feeling the chill winds of recession.全世界的航空航天工业都感受到了经济衰退的寒意。
  • Edward Murphy was an aerospace engineer for the US Army.爱德华·墨菲是一名美军的航宇工程师。

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