VOA常速英语2013--维护外太空的可持续与安定

维护外太空的可持续与安定

Orbiting the Earth are satellites crucial to many aspects of life as we know it in the 21st century. But along with equipment allowing us to navigate 1 airplanes and ships, to communicate with loved ones thousands of miles away, or to gather data which will help us predict the nature and direction of the next great storm, the space around our blue planet is teeming 2 with junk.

众所周知，卫星环绕地球运转对21世纪生活的多个方面都至关重要。有关设备能让我们给飞机和船只导航，与数千里之遥的爱人沟通，或者收集有助于预测自然和下一次大风暴方向的数据，但环绕我们这颗蓝色星球的太空却充满了垃圾。

According to the National Aeronautics 3 and Space Administration, or NASA, more than 21,000 pieces of debris 4 larger than a tennis ball orbit the Earth, while millions of pieces of space junk too small to track circle the Earth.

据美国航天局(NASA)称，约有2.1万多个比网球还要大的碎片在环绕着地球运转，还有数百万片太小而无法追踪的太空垃圾也在环绕着地球。

“The globe-spanning and interconnected nature of space capabilities 5 and the world’s growing dependence 6 on them mean that irresponsible acts in space can have damaging consequences for all,” said State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf. “As a result, all nations must work together to adopt approaches for responsible activity in space to preserve this right for the benefit of future generations.”

“航天领域具有跨越全球性和相互关联的属性，同时全世界越来越依赖于这个领域，这意味着不负责的太空行为会对全人类造成破坏性后果。”国务院副发言人玛丽·哈夫如是说，“因此，各国必须协作采取措施在太空进行负责人的活动，从而维护子孙后代利用太空的权利。”

That is why the 15-member United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on Transparency and Confidence-Building Measures in Outer Space Activities have examined numerous proposals and changes in political and technological 7 environment since 1993.

因此，外层空间活动透明度和建立信任措施的15名联合国政府专家小组成员已经审查了1993年以来诸多有关政治和科技环境的提议和更动。

In mid-July, during its final meeting, the Group recommended that UN Member States and international organizations consider and implement 8, on a voluntary basis, a range of measures to enhance the transparency of outer space activities, further international cooperation, consultations 9, and outreach, and promote international coordination 10 to enhance safety and predictability in the uses of outer space.

7月中旬，该小组在最后一次会议上建议，联合国成员国和国际组织在自愿的基础上考虑并实施系列措施以提高外太空活动的透明度，加强国际合作、咨询和拓展，促进国际合作以提高外太空利用的安全和可预见性。

The United States agrees “that the exploration and use of outer space shall be carried on in accordance with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, in the interest of maintaining international peace and security and promoting international cooperation and understanding,” said Deputy Spokesperson Harf. The Group also endorsed 11 efforts to pursue political commitments – including a multilateral code of conduct – to encourage responsible actions in, and the peaceful use of, outer space."

联合国赞同“应依据国际法进行外太空的探索和利用，包括联合国宪章，这是为了维护国际和平与稳定，并推动国际合作与谅解，”副发言人哈夫如是说。该小组还支持采取措施实现政治承诺，包括多变行为准则，从而鼓励在外太空进行负责人的活动并和平利用外太空。

“The United States is pleased to join consensus 12 to affirm the role of voluntary, non-legally binding 13 transparency and confidence-building measures to strengthen stability in space. This consensus sends a strong signal: States must remain committed to enhance the welfare of humankind by cooperating with others to maintain the long-term sustainability, safety, security, and stability of the space environment.”

“联合国很高兴加入共识，来确定义务、无法律约束性的透明度，以及信心建立措施从而加强太空的安定。这一共识发出这样强烈的信号：各国应致力于通过相互合作提高人类的福利，从而维护太空环境的长远可持续性、安全、安定和稳定。”