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The High Cost of the Space Race
太空竞赛的高昂代价
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The High Cost of the Space Race
太空竞赛的高昂代价
去年，全球火箭发射数量创下历史新高，达到 324 次，太空竞赛进入白热化阶段。然而，在企业盲目追求速度的同时，安全规范却未能跟上步伐，导致地球环境与太空遭受破坏。目前约有 2 万个物体在地球轨道运行，由此产生的垃圾和化学物质正阻碍臭氧层的修复，并威胁着生态系统。专家强调，为了实现地球与太空的可持续发展，全球协作与明确的限制措施已刻不容缓。
Last year, companies launched a record 324 rockets.
去年，各大公司共发射了 324 枚火箭，创下历史新高。launched 发射 / record 324 rockets 324枚的纪录
This fast race is outrunning our safety rules.
这种激烈的竞争速度正逐渐超出安全规范的限制。fast race 激烈的竞争 / outrunning 超出/赶过 / safety rules 安全规则
It's causing real damage to our planet and sky.
这正对我们的星球和天空造成实质性的伤害。causing real damage 造成实质伤害 / planet and sky 星球与天空
SpaceX is testing its massive Starship rocket right now.
SpaceX 目前正在测试其巨大的 Starship 火箭。testing 测试中 / massive Starship rocket 巨大的星舰火箭
But its launch site sits in a sensitive wetland.
但其发射场位于一片敏感的湿地。launch site 发射场 / sensitive wetland 敏感湿地
Loud noise and debris hurt rare birds and turtles.
巨大的噪音和 debris 损害了稀有鸟类和海龟。Loud noise 巨大的噪音 / debris 碎片/残骸 / rare birds 稀有鸟类
Local water is also getting polluted by rocket fuel.
火箭燃料也在污染当地的水质。getting polluted 受到污染 / rocket fuel 火箭燃料
Ten years ago, we had only 2,000 active satellites.
就在十年前，运行中的卫星还只有 2,000 颗。active satellites 运行中的卫星
Today, there are nearly 20,000 objects in orbit.
如今，轨道上大约有 2 万个物体。nearly 20,000 objects 约2万个物体 / in orbit 在轨道上
These metal objects eventually fall and burn up.
这些金属物体最终会坠落并烧毁。eventually fall 最终坠落 / burn up 烧毁
This process releases chemicals that harm our atmosphere.
这一过程会释放出危害大气的化学物质。releases chemicals 释放化学物质 / harm our atmosphere 危害大气层
It might even stop the ozone layer from healing.
这甚至可能阻碍臭氧层的修复。stop from healing 阻碍修复 / ozone layer 臭氧层
Many companies are racing to claim space first.
许多公司都在竞相率先占领太空。racing to 竞相... / claim space first 率先占领太空
They act quickly because there are few global rules.
由于全球性规则很少，大家的行动都非常迅速。act quickly 行动迅速 / few global rules 全球规则寥寥无几
Old satellites create dangerous trash called space debris.
废旧卫星产生了被称为 space debris 的危险垃圾。create dangerous trash 产生危险垃圾 / space debris 太空碎片/垃圾
This is floating junk that moves very fast.
这些是移动速度极快的漂浮垃圾。floating junk 漂浮垃圾 / moves very fast 移动速度极快
These pieces can crash into and destroy new rockets.
这些碎片可能会撞击并摧毁新火箭。crash into 撞击 / destroy new rockets 摧毁新火箭
Experts say we need international cooperation right now.
专家表示，我们现在急需国际合作。Experts say 专家认为 / international cooperation 国际合作
We must set limits to keep space sustainable.
为了保持太空的 sustainable，我们必须设定限制。set limits 设定限制 / keep space sustainable 保持太空可持续性
We shouldn't ruin our home to reach the stars.
我们不应为了触及星辰而毁掉我们的家园。ruin our home 毁掉家园 / reach the stars 触及星辰
Quiz 🧠
Q1. Launching many rockets from nature areas can harm local animals.
查看答案
✅ True
火箭发射时产生的噪音、碎片和燃料污染会对周边的野生动物造成严重危害。
Loud rocket noise, falling debris, and fuel pollute natural areas and hurt wildlife.
Q2. What does 'debris' mean in 'dangerous debris floating in space'?
查看答案
✅ broken pieces of trash
'Debris'指的是破损的残骸或遗留的垃圾碎片。
Debris means broken pieces or trash left behind after something is damaged or destroyed.
Q3. Why is floating trash in space dangerous for new rockets?
查看答案
✅ It can crash into them
太空垃圾的运行速度极快，很容易撞击并摧毁新发射的火箭。
Space trash moves at very high speeds and can easily hit and destroy rockets.
Dialogue 🎧
Sophia: Did you read about the record number of rocket launches last year? Companies launched 324 rockets.
Sophia: 你看到去年火箭发射次数创下历史新高的报道了吗？各大公司竟然发射了 324 枚火箭。
James: That is a lot. This fast race seems to be outrunning all our safety rules.
James: 确实非常多。发射竞争如此激烈，感觉安全规范已经跟不上那个速度了。
Sophia: It really is. This growth is causing real damage to our planet and sky.
Sophia: 没错。这种过度扩张正在对地球和天空造成实质性的伤害。
James: Wait, real damage? How can rockets hurt the Earth from way up there?
James: 等一下，实质性的伤害？高空中的火箭怎么会危害到地球呢？
Sophia: It starts on the ground. SpaceX is testing its massive Starship rocket in a wetland.
Sophia: 危害从地面就开始了。SpaceX 正在一片湿地测试巨大的 Starship 火箭。
James: A sensitive wetland? That sounds like a dangerous place for a launch site.
James: 在敏感湿地？作为发射场感觉是个很危险的地方啊。
Sophia: It is. The loud noise and debris hurt rare birds and turtles there.
Sophia: 是的。巨大的噪音和 debris 导致那里的稀有鸟类和海龟深受其害。
James: Is there more? I read that rocket fuel is even polluting the local water.
James: 看来还不止这些。我记得读过相关报道，说火箭燃料也在污染周边地区的水质。
Sophia: Yes, it is. But the bigger problem might be the thousands of satellites in orbit.
Sophia: 没错。但更大的问题可能是轨道上成千上万的卫星。
James: I knew there were many. Ten years ago, we had only 2,000 active satellites.
James: 我知道卫星很多，但十年前运行中的卫星不是才 2,000 颗左右吗？
Sophia: Today, there are nearly 20,000 objects. Many companies are racing to claim space first.
Sophia: 但现在这个数字已经接近 2 万了。许多公司为了率先占领太空正展开激烈竞争。
James: That is so much metal. What happens when those objects stop working?
James: 金属块头可真不少。这些物体寿命到期后会怎么样？
Sophia: They become dangerous trash called space debris. This floating junk moves very fast.
Sophia: 它们会变成被称为 space debris 的危险垃圾。这些漂浮垃圾的移动速度极其惊人。
James: Can't it crash into and destroy new rockets? That sounds like a huge risk.
James: 它们会不会撞上新发射的火箭并导致损毁？听起来真的很危险。
Sophia: Exactly. Also, when these objects fall and burn up, they release harmful chemicals.
Sophia: 完全正确。而且这些物体坠落烧毁时，还会释放出有害化学物质。
James: Harmful chemicals? Do those chemicals stay in our atmosphere for a long time?
James: 有害化学物质？那些物质会长期停留在大气层中吗？
Sophia: They do. Scientists think this might stop the ozone layer from healing.
Sophia: 是的。科学家们担心这可能会阻碍臭氧层的修复。
James: No way. We have worked so hard to fix the ozone layer!
James: 太离谱了。我们为了修复臭氧层付出了那么多的努力！
Sophia: I know. Many companies act quickly because there are few global rules.
Sophia: 谁说不是呢。由于几乎没有国际规则，各家公司都在抢先行动。
James: So they are just doing whatever they want without any limits?
James: 意思是大家在没有任何约束的情况下为所欲为吗？
Sophia: Exactly. That is why experts say we need international cooperation right now.
Sophia: 正是如此。所以专家们才强调现在迫切需要国际合作。
James: We must set limits to keep space sustainable for everyone.
James: 为了大局，确实必须设定限制，保持太空的 sustainable。
Sophia: We definitely should. We shouldn't ruin our home just to reach the stars.
Sophia: 当然。我们不能为了触及星辰而毁了我们的家园。
James: That's a powerful point. Let's hope these global rules arrive very soon.
James: 这话真让人感触。希望国际规则能尽快出台。