VOA标准英语2009年-Space Station Astronauts Talk with Tro

Photo: NASA
US forces in Iraq speak with 2 NASA astronauts aboard the ISS in a video downlink aired on NASA TV about life on the station, their military careers and what it is like to live in space for up to 6 months, 29 Dec 2009

When many Americans think of the holidays, they envision snowflakes, a homemade meal and time spent with family.  However, that picture is far from reality for the thousands of U.S. servicemen and women stationed abroad this holiday season. Some are serving their nation farther from home than others. 

Two U.S. crew members aboard the International Space Station have spoken with American troops in Iraq.
 
Station Commander Jeff Williams, a retired¹ U.S. Army colonel, and Flight Engineer T.J. Creamer, an Army colonel, talked with U.S. forces Tuesday via a NASA satellite connection in a type of question-and-answer session.

Williams started by thanking the troops for their service and giving an update on the International Space Station's progress. 

"We're getting close to the final assembly of the space station," he said. "We will complete its assembly in 2010 and transition to full utilization² in this international partnership³ made up of the Russians, the U.S., Japanese, European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency."

In addition to discovering similar challenges and rewards in their work with international partners, the astronauts and troops found common ground in facing the difficulty of being away from family and friends for months at a time. 

The astronauts told soldiers that their own experiences in the military had prepared them to face the day-to-day struggles of being in space.  They noted⁴ values such as teamwork, a dedication⁵ to mission and perseverance⁶ are vital whether working on Earth or while orbiting 354 kilometers above it.
 

1 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

2 utilization   

n.利用，效用

参考例句：

• Computer has found an increasingly wide utilization in all fields.电子计算机已越来越广泛地在各个领域得到应用。
• Modern forms of agricultural utilization,have completely refuted this assumption.现代农业利用形式，完全驳倒了这种想象。

3 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

4 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

5 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。

6 perseverance   

n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠

参考例句：

• It may take some perseverance to find the right people.要找到合适的人也许需要有点锲而不舍的精神。
• Perseverance leads to success.有恒心就能胜利。