2006年VOA标准英语-Space Shuttle Prepares for International Space
时间：2019-01-20 作者：英语课 分类：2006年VOA标准英语（七月）
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 exterior 1, one day after a successful launch from Cape 2 Canaveral.
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Camera mounted on space shuttle Discovery's robot arm shows docking port in cargo 3 bay
NASA officials say Discovery is on schedule for Thursday's rendezvous 4 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 deployed 5 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 inspection 6 is a safety measure implemented 7 in the aftermath of the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Columbia broke up upon re-entry to Earth's atmosphere. A section of foam 8 that peeled away during lift-off was believed to have damaged shielding on the orbiter's wing, leading to the deadly mishap 9.
Hoping to avoid a possible recurrence 10 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 noted 11 that he and other inspectors 12 spotted 13 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 retired 14 in 2010.
- 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。
- 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。
- 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。
- 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。
- 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。
- 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。
- 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
- 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。
- 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。
- 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。
- 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。
- 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》
- 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。