Some 400 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, the “International Space Station” (ISS) operates as both a home and office for astronauts living and working in space. Astronauts typically stay aboard the station for up to six months and engage in groundbreaking research projects in various fields, such as biology, physics and astronomy. These projects help scientists understand life in space and contribute to advancements that benefit people on Earth.
The ISS has experienced significant growth since construction began in 1998. The station’s design and assembly represent an extraordinary international collaboration among Canada, the European Union, Japan, Russia and the United States. The last major component of the ISS was added in 2011, making it one of the most ambitious engineering achievements in history. Today, astronauts from those nations, as well as others, work and live together, promoting a spirit of global cooperation as they look down on Earth from the heavens.
The station itself is massive, comparable in size to a football field, though the livable area is only about the size of a five-bedroom house in a long, narrow layout. It includes a sleeping area for six astronauts, a gym, and a work area. Despite its size, the comforts of Earth are limited. There is no refrigerator or microwave, so meals consist of freeze-dried foods and items stored in tubes and pouches. Drinking water is carefully collected and recycled from various sources, including moisture in the air and even the crew’s urine. The crew isn’t drinking that, though. Instead, they are drinking reclaimed water that has been thoroughly filtered and purified to be even cleaner than what we consume on Earth.
Photo:AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
位在地球表面上方約四百公里處的國際太空站既是太空人在太空居住的家，也是他們工作的辦公室。太空人通常會在太空站上停留最久達六個月，從事生物學、物理學和天文學等各種領域的開創性研究計畫。這些計畫有助於科學家了解在太空環境中的生活，對有益於地球上人類的進展也有所貢獻。
國際太空站自1998年開始建造以來，經歷了相當大的成長。太空站的設計和組裝體現了加拿大、歐盟、日本、俄羅斯和美國之間非凡的國際合作。國際太空站最後的主要部分於2011年加上，使其成為歷史上最宏偉的工程成就之一。如今，來自那些國家以及其他國家的太空人們共同在此工作與生活，在他們從天際俯瞰地球的同時，發揚全球合作的精神。
太空站本身規模十分龐大，大小與一個美式足球場相當，不過可居住的空間只有大約一間五房住宅的大小，呈狹長型格局。太空站內包含六名太空人的睡眠區、一個健身房和一個工作區。儘管規模不小，但地球上的生活舒適度在此十分有限。這裡沒有冰箱或微波爐，因此餐點包含冷凍乾燥食品和貯存在管子及袋子中的食物。飲用水則是謹慎地從各種來源集結、回收，包括空氣中的水分，甚至是組員的尿液。不過，組員並不是直接喝那些水。相反地，他們是喝經過徹底過濾和淨化的再生水，這些水甚至比我們在地球上所喝的水還要乾淨。
Photo:AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
Words in Use
1. groundbreaking a. 開創性的
This groundbreaking idea will change the world.
這個開創性的想法將改變這個世界。
2. assembly n. 組裝，裝配
Ryan spent an hour on his bike’s assembly.
萊恩花了一小時來組裝他的腳踏車。
3. extraordinary a. 非凡的，特別的
With his extraordinary talent, Matt made his mark in modern dance.
憑藉著超凡的天賦，馬特在現代舞界闖出了名號。
4. collaboration n. 合作
The collaborations between the two singers produced some of the best songs in rock and roll history.
這兩名歌手的合作創造出搖滾史上最棒的一些歌曲。
5. component n. 組成部分；零件
Cultural diversity is a critical component of a vibrant society.
文化多樣性是組成蓬勃社會的重要部分。
Practical Phrases
1. operate as. . . 作為……用
The app operates as a platform for users to share travel experiences.
這款應用程式作為用戶分享旅行經驗的平臺。
2. engage in. . . 從事 ∕ 進行……
Researchers are currently engaging in a study to find more effective treatments for the disease.
研究人員目前正在進行一項研究，尋找該疾病更有效的療法。
3. contribute to N / V-ing 促成∕導致……
The incident contributed to tighter security measures in US airports.
那次事件促使美國各地機場採取更嚴格的安檢措施。
4. be comparable to. . . 與……相當
comparable a. 可相比的
This pasta is comparable to the kind I ate in Italy when I was a child.
這義大利麵和我小時候在義大利吃的不相上下。
5. consist of. . . 包含 ∕ 括……
This new shower gel consists of sand and salt from the sea.
這款新沐浴乳的配方包含來自海洋的沙和鹽。
To be continued tomorrow（明日待續）
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本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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