核分裂產生推力
NASA is hoping to launch a test of its DRACO spacecraft in late 2025 or early 2026.
NASA希望於2025年底或2026年初對其DRACO太空船進行發射測試。
launch(v.)發起、發射、推出(新產品等)
Short for Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, DRACO is being developed in partnership with the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and will be built by Lockheed Martin for the eventual goal of Mars exploration.
DRACO，即英文「月軌內敏捷行動示範火箭計畫」的簡稱，是與美國國防高等研究計劃署合作開發的，並將由洛克希德·馬丁公司建造，以火星探索為最終目的。
short for... 是...的簡稱agile(adj.)(行動、思維)敏捷的agility(n.)敏捷in partnership with~ 和～合作eventual(adj.)最終的eventually(adv.)最後=finallyexplore(v.) exploration(n.)探索
The rocket will utilize technology that creates thrust through heat from nuclear fission, creating “a thrust-to-weight ratio 10,000 times greater than electric propulsion” and two-to-five times more efficient “than in-space chemical propulsion.”
這枚火箭將利用一種用核分裂所產生的熱來產生推力的技術，其「推重比是電推進的10,000倍」且「比在太空中的化學推進」效率高出兩到五倍。
utilize(v.)利用=make use ofthrust(n.)推力(v.)推擠nuclear fission 核分裂propulsion(n.)推進propel(v.)推進;推動efficient(adj.)有效率的effective(adj.)有效的
This type of thrust would greatly benefit a manned mission to Mars by shortening the travel time from Earth, thus exposing astronauts to less solar radiation and reducing the amount of supplies needed for the trip.
這種推進方式將大大有利於載人火星任務，因為它可以縮短從地球到火星的旅行時間，從而使太空人暴露於較少的太陽輻射，並減少旅行所需的裝備量。
benefit(v.)對～有利manned(adj.)有人的;載人的=crewed=staffedexpose A to B 使A暴露於Bexposure(n.)暴露radiation(n.)輻射high levels or doses of radiation 高強度或高劑量輻射radioactive(adj.)有輻射的;放射性的
Currently, the distance of 300 million miles between Earth and Mars takes around seven months to travel.
目前，地球與火星之間的距離為3億英里，需要大約七個月的時間來旅行。
currently(adv.)目前=for the time beingaround=about=approximately
Originally attempted in the 1960s, nuclear-powered rockets are now closer to becoming a reality because of advances in technology.
人們最初於1960年代嘗試製作核動力火箭，但由於科技的進步，核動力火箭已快要實現了。
originally(adv.)起初=initallybecome a reality實現、成真advance(n.)進步
As a result, Mars may finally be reachable for humans.
因此，人們可能終將能夠登陸火星。
reachable(adj.)可到達的;可抵達的
So far, only unmanned missions have been to the Red Planet to collect geological and climate-related data.
到目前為止，往這顆紅色星球的任務皆為無人任務，目的是為了收集地質與氣候相關數據。
unmanned missions 沒有乘載人的任務
However, due to “the possibility of liquid water in the past and the potential for life,” Mars has been a target of human exploration for some time.
然而，由於「過去可能存在的液態水和乘載生命的可能性」，火星長時間以來一直是人類探索的目標。
potential(n.)可能性、潛力
DRACO’s initial testing will involve launching the spacecraft “into a high orbit around Earth.”
DRACO的初步測試將把太空船發射「進入高地球軌道」。
initial(adj.)起初的;初期的orbit(n.)軌道
It will then activate its nuclear engine system, using all of its fuel before returning to Earth. This process could take around 300 years.
接著將啟動其核能引擎系統，用盡所有燃料後才返回地球。整趟旅程可能需耗時約300年。
activate(v.)啟動fuel(n.)燃料a car with high fuel consumption 耗油量大的汽車process(n.)過程in the process of~ 在～的過程中
In the meantime, DRACO’s mission will provide valuable information about its nuclear system’s potential applications to the future of human space travel.
同時，DRACO的任務將針對其核能系統對人類未來的太空旅行之可能應用提供各種寶貴資訊。
in the meantime 同時=meanwhilevaluable(adj.)寶貴的=of great valueapplication to~ 對～的應用apply to~應用於～