2006年VOA标准英语-Space Shuttle Prepares for International Space

By Michael Bowman
Washington
05 July 2006

Preparations are underway on the Space Shuttle Discovery for Thursday's planned docking with the International Space Station. Discovery's crew spent much of the day performing a thorough examination of the orbiter's exterior¹, one day after a successful launch from Cape² Canaveral.

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Camera mounted on space shuttle Discovery's robot arm shows docking port in cargo³ bay  
  
NASA officials say Discovery is on schedule for Thursday's rendezvous⁴ with the International Space Station.

"The vehicle is in great shape," said Shuttle Flight Director Rick LeBrode. "The crew is in great shape, and we are ready for 'dock ops' [docking operations.]"

Prior to docking, crewmembers will prepare space suits to be used for at least two space walks, once Discovery arrives at the International Space Station.

Earlier, the crew deployed⁵ an array of cameras attached to a boom operated by the shuttle's 15-meter robotic arm. During a seven-hour period, the cameras took extensive images of the shuttle's wings and nose cap.

The rigorous inspection⁶ is a safety measure implemented⁷ in the aftermath of the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Columbia broke up upon re-entry to Earth's atmosphere. A section of foam⁸ that peeled away during lift-off was believed to have damaged shielding on the orbiter's wing, leading to the deadly mishap⁹.

Hoping to avoid a possible recurrence¹⁰ with Discovery, NASA will closely examine the images, which are capable of revealing a crack or other damage as small as three millimeters.

Nothing of major concern has been discovered. Speaking with reporters, Flight Director Tony Ceccacci said the images do show a white splotchy area on Discovery's right wing. But Ceccacci noted¹¹ that he and other inspectors¹² spotted¹³ the discoloration nearly three weeks earlier - and concluded it was most likely the result of bird droppings.

Ceccacci was asked if such a substance could affect the shuttle.

"No, it will burn off during [re]entry," he said.

Discovery will deliver several tons of supplies and equipment to the International Space Station, as well as a crewmember. Mission Specialist Thomas Reiter of Germany will remain on the space station for six-months.

This is just the second space shuttle mission since the Columbia disaster. The shuttle fleet is scheduled to be retired¹⁴ in 2010.

1 exterior   

adj.外部的，外在的；表面的

参考例句：

• The seed has a hard exterior covering.这种子外壳很硬。
• We are painting the exterior wall of the house.我们正在给房子的外墙涂漆。

2 cape   

n.海角，岬；披肩，短披风

参考例句：

• I long for a trip to the Cape of Good Hope.我渴望到好望角去旅行。
• She was wearing a cape over her dress.她在外套上披着一件披肩。

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 rendezvous   

n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇

参考例句：

• She made the rendezvous with only minutes to spare.她还差几分钟时才来赴约。
• I have a rendezvous with Peter at a restaurant on the harbour.我和彼得在海港的一个餐馆有个约会。

5 deployed   

（尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的过去式和过去分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用

参考例句：

• Tanks have been deployed all along the front line. 沿整个前线已部署了坦克。
• The artillery was deployed to bear on the fort. 火炮是对着那个碉堡部署的。

6 inspection   

n.检查，审查，检阅

参考例句：

• On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。
• The soldiers lined up for their daily inspection by their officers.士兵们列队接受军官的日常检阅。

7 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

8 foam   

v./n.泡沫，起泡沫

参考例句：

• The glass of beer was mostly foam.这杯啤酒大部分是泡沫。
• The surface of the water is full of foam.水面都是泡沫。

9 mishap   

n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸

参考例句：

• I'm afraid your son had a slight mishap in the playground.不好了，你儿子在操场上出了点小意外。
• We reached home without mishap.我们平安地回到了家。

10 recurrence   

n.复发，反复，重现

参考例句：

• More care in the future will prevent recurrence of the mistake.将来的小心可防止错误的重现。
• He was aware of the possibility of a recurrence of his illness.他知道他的病有可能复发。

11 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

12 inspectors   

n.检查员( inspector的名词复数 )；（英国公共汽车或火车上的）查票员；（警察）巡官；检阅官

参考例句：

• They got into the school in the guise of inspectors. 他们假装成视察员进了学校。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Inspectors checked that there was adequate ventilation. 检查员已检查过，通风良好。 来自《简明英汉词典》

13 spotted   

adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的

参考例句：

• The milkman selected the spotted cows,from among a herd of two hundred.牛奶商从一群200头牛中选出有斑点的牛。
• Sam's shop stocks short spotted socks.山姆的商店屯积了有斑点的短袜。

14 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。