2016年CRI Tiangong-2 space lab improved as ＂an apartment＂ for the astronauts

 

The Tiangong-2 space lab, though adopting the structure of Tiangong-1 without too many changes in appearance, has been designed to function much stronger than its predecessor¹.

Zhu Congpeng, chief designer of the lab, says they've focused on a variety of factors to make it more habitable.

"While designing Tiangong-2, we concentrated on habitability in aspects like astronauts' daily needs, acoustical² and visual environment, as well as decoration inside the cabin and noise reduction. We also added some facilities to make their lives more convenient."

Scientists have also added some new furniture inside the Tiangong-2 space lab.

For example, astronauts can easily assemble a platform in the space lab enabling them to dine in a wide place instead of the orbital cabin of the spacecraft.

Zhu says it is an extensive multifunctional platform where astronauts can write, eat or even conduct experiments.

Bai Linhou, chief director of Space Lab System, said with a laptop on the platform, astronauts can not only do some research work, but also take part in recreational activities.

"Inside the relaying area, astronauts can watch live telecast and movies in real time. For example, if they want to watch football matches or news, we can upload the program in real time."

Astronauts can also do physical exercises with the usual equipment including a bicycle or a treadmill³, and they'll also wear a special uniform to avoid muscle atrophy⁴.

Their health will be monitored by doctors.

Earlier on Sunday, Beijing Aerospace⁵ Control Center adjusted the space lab for the last time to prepare its docking with the Shenzhou-11 manned spacecraft which was successfully launched on Monday.

Chen Xianfeng, a director at the control center, said more preparations were also made so that the astronauts can live and work under safe conditions.

"We have conducted relevant tests of the pressure, temperature and toxic⁷ gas in Tiangong-2. By doing so, the astronauts will have normal working and living conditions after they get inside it. After testing, we have identified that there is no toxic gas. We have ensured that Tiangong-2 is fully⁶ operational, ready to dock with Shenzhou-11."

Scientists also say that some future additions will be made to the space lab including recycling technologies which might be used on life-support system.

The two astronauts of the Shenzhou-11 manned space mission, Jing Haipeng and Chen Dong, will stay in the Tiangong-2 space lab for 30 days. This will be the longest mission ever for the Chinese space program.

The space lab was launched on September 15 and has since been in orbit for over a month.

For CRI, I'm Xie Cheng.

1 predecessor   

n.前辈，前任

参考例句：

• It will share the fate of its predecessor.它将遭受与前者同样的命运。
• The new ambassador is more mature than his predecessor.新大使比他的前任更成熟一些。

2 acoustical   

adj. 听觉的，声学的，音响学的

参考例句：

• This system can set up acoustical resonances. 这种系统能产生共鸣。
• The relevance of acoustical principles is by no means limited to sound and hearing. 声学原理并不仅仅适用于声音和听觉。

3 treadmill   

n.踏车；单调的工作

参考例句：

• The treadmill has a heart rate monitor.跑步机上有个脉搏监视器。
• Drugs remove man from the treadmill of routine.药物可以使人摆脱日常单调的工作带来的疲劳。

4 atrophy   

n./v.萎缩，虚脱，衰退

参考例句：

• Patients exercised their atrophied limbs in the swimming pool.病人们在泳池里锻炼萎缩的四肢。
• Many hoped he would renew the country's atrophied political system.很多人都期望他能使该国萎靡的政治体系振作起来。

5 aerospace   

adj.航空的，宇宙航行的

参考例句：

• The world's entire aerospace industry is feeling the chill winds of recession.全世界的航空航天工业都感受到了经济衰退的寒意。
• Edward Murphy was an aerospace engineer for the US Army.爱德华·墨菲是一名美军的航宇工程师。

6 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

7 toxic   

adj.有毒的，因中毒引起的

参考例句：

• The factory had accidentally released a quantity of toxic waste into the sea.这家工厂意外泄漏大量有毒废物到海中。
• There is a risk that toxic chemicals might be blasted into the atmosphere.爆炸后有毒化学物质可能会进入大气层。