[本節目的音頻素材首次發表於 2024 年 11 月 6 日]
世界上第一顆外殼由木材制作的人造衛星被發射進太空。這顆衛星被用於測試木材能否作為一種可再生的建築材料被應用到未來的太空探索中，比如在月球或火星上。
The world’s first wooden satellite was launched into space on Tuesday, soaring its way towards the International Space Station. Developed by a team at Kyoto University, the palm-sized box, named LignoSat was crafted from a magnolia tree.
世界上第一顆木質外殼的衛星於本周二發射升空，飛向瞭國際空間站。這顆人造衛星由京都大學的一個團隊研發，是一個隻有手掌大小的盒子，被叫做 “木質衛星（LignoSat）”，是用一棵木蘭屬的喬木制成。
It will spend six months in orbit 400km above the Earth, where temperatures fluctuate from -100C to 100C, testing to see if wood could be a feasible space-grade material. Researchers say with no water or oxygen to rot or inflame it, wood is much more durable in space than it is on Earth.
這顆人造衛星將在距地表 400 公裡的軌道上運行六個月，從而檢測木材是否是一種可行的太空材料，因為那裡的溫度在零下 100 攝氏度到 100 攝氏度之間波動。研究人員說，由於太空中沒有水或氧氣來使其腐爛或燃燒，木材在太空中遠比在地球上更加堅固耐用。
And when the mission is over, the decommissioned satellite will burn up on its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. With no screws or glue, it will emit far fewer pollutants than ordinary metal satellites. Scientists hope it’s the first step in a 50-year plan to build timber houses on the Moon and Mars.
本次任務結束後，退役的衛星將在重返地球大氣層時燒盡。由於沒有使用任何螺絲或膠水，它將比普通的金屬人造衛星排放的污染物更少。科學傢們希望這次實驗能夠成為一項在月球和火星上建造木質房屋的 50 年計劃的第一步。
詞匯表
soaring 向高處飛
magnolia 木蘭屬的
fluctuate 波動，起伏不定
feasible 可行的
rot 使…腐爛
inflame 使…燃燒
decommissioned 退役的
pollutants 污染物
timber 木材
閱讀理解：請在讀完上文後，回答下列問題。
1. Where was the satellite developed?
2. How long will the wooden satellite spend in orbit?
3. What advantage does a wooden satellite have over metal satellites?
4. What do scientists hope will happen in the future?
答案
1. Where was the satellite developed?
The satellite was developed at Kyoto University.
2. How long will the wooden satellite spend in orbit?
The satellite will spend six months in orbit.
3. What advantage does a wooden satellite have over metal satellites?
With no screws or glue, wooden satellites will omit far fewer pollutants than ordinary metal satellites when they re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere.
4. What do scientists hope will happen in the future?
Scientists hope it will lead to a 50-year plan to build timber houses on the Moon and Mars.
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