VOA慢速英语2021 研究机构提出超光速旅行方法（在线收听）

In science fiction movies, there are many examples of spaceships racing through space at the speed of light or faster. But is faster-than-light travel possible?

在科幻电影中，有许多飞船以光速或更快速度在太空中快速移动的例子。但是，超光速旅行有可能吗？

A new research paper written by an American physicist has proposed a theory for how faster-than-light travel could be possible. The research was carried out by Erik Lentz, who did the work at Germany's University of Goettingen.

一位美国物理学家撰写的一篇新研究论文提出了一种超光速旅行如何有可能实现的理论。这项研究是由埃里克·伦茨进行的，他在德国哥廷根大学从事这项工作。

Lentz and his team believe that travel to distant stars and planets could be possible in the future. But this can happen only if space vehicles travel faster than the speed of light.

伦茨和他的团队认为，前往遥远的恒星和行星在未来是可行的。但是只有飞船以超光速飞行时才有可能发生。

Light can travel at about 300,000 kilometers in one second. Physicist Albert Einstein's famous theory of relativity suggests that it is not possible to travel faster than light.

光能够以每秒30万公里的速度传播。物理学家爱因斯坦提出的著名的相对论表明，超光速旅行是不可能的。

As a result, the latest research on the subject has centered on theories beyond normal explanations of matter. They call for "hypothetical particles" and states of matter with unusual physical properties to permit faster-than-light travel.

因此，关于该主题的最新研究集中于对物质正常解释以外的理论。他们主张“假设例子”并且物质状态具有不同寻常的物理特性，从而实现超光速旅行。

This kind of matter either cannot be found or cannot be manufactured in necessary amounts, the paper states. The new paper places more importance not on theoretical research, but on a possible engineering solution.

该论文指出，这类物质要么找不到，要么无法制造出必要的数量。这篇新论文的重点不是理论研究，而是潜在的工程解决方案。

The research describes a plan to permit superfast travel by creating a series of, what the researchers call, solitons to provide the basis for a powerful propulsion system. A soliton is a compact wave that keeps its speed and shape while moving with little loss of energy.

该研究描述了一项方案，通过制造一系列所谓的孤子提供强大推进系统的基础，以实现超高速旅行。孤子是一种紧凑的波，它能保持速度和形状并且在运动中能量损失很小。

The research suggests that such a method could permit travel at any speed. The results recently appeared in the publication Classical and Quantum Gravity.

该研究表明，这种方法可以实现以任何速度旅行。该结果最近发表在《经典与量子引力》期刊上。

The method "uses the very structure of space and time arranged in a soliton to provide a solution to faster-than-light travel," said a press release explaining the process.

一篇新闻稿解释了这一过程，称这种方法“利用孤子非常特殊的空间和时间结构，为超光速旅行提供解决方案。”

Lentz told Reuters news agency that such a "warp drive" technology could be used to sharply reduce travel times. That could make future travel to distant space objects possible.

伦茨对路透社表示，这种曲速引擎可用于大大减少旅行时间。这可能使得将来前往遥远外空物体成为可能。

The nearest star beyond our solar system is Proxima Centauri. It is about 4.25 light years away. A light year is the distance it takes light to travel in one year.

太阳系以外最近的恒星是比邻星。它大约距离4.25光年。一光年是指光在一年中所传播的距离。

Lentz said that using traditional rocket fuel, it would take about 50,000 to 70,000 years to reach Proxima Centauri. A trip using nuclear propulsion technology would take about 100 years, he said. But a light speed trip would take only four years and three months, Lentz added.

伦茨表示，采用传统火箭燃料，大概需要5万到7万年才能抵达比邻星。他说，采用核推进技术，大概需要100年。伦茨还说，但是光速旅行只需要4年零3个月。

The researchers' plan promises the hope of faster-than-light-speed travel, which could lead to "distant interstellar travel within a human lifetime."

这些研究人员的方案为超光速旅行提供了希望，这可能会导致在人类寿命范围内进行遥远的星际旅行。

Lentz said a lot of work will be needed to make the method become a reality. To be useful, it would require lowering the energy needed down to the level of modern nuclear power reactors. A way to develop and speed up the solitons must also be created, he added.

伦茨表示，要使这种方法成为现实，还有许多工作要做。为了有效，它必须将所需能量降低到现代核动力反应堆的水平。他还表示，还必须创造出一种开发和加速孤子的方法。

Lentz sees the research and development process as difficult, but not impossible. He said additional steps could happen over the next several years, with a fully operational version possible within the next 10 years.

伦茨认为研发过程很困难，但是并非不可实现。他说，其它步骤可能会在未来几年发生，并在未来10年内实现全面运行。

He added that the first truly light speed trips could be tested in the years afterward. "I would like to see this technology in use in my lifetime," Lentz said.

他还说，首次真正的光速旅行可能会在未来几年中进行测试。伦茨表示：“我希望在我有生之年看到这种技术得到应用。”