飛龍號發射任務
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft left for the International Space Station on June 4, carrying more than 7,300 pounds of cargo along with science experiments, including bobtail squids, tardigrades and cotton seedlings.
SpaceX飛龍號太空船於6月4日升空飛往國際太空站，太空船上運載了7,300磅的貨物與科學實驗材料，當中包括了短尾烏賊、水熊蟲與棉花幼苗。
carry(v.)承載;運載cargo(n.)貨物seedling(n.)幼苗
The bobtail squids are part of a study that examines whether space affects the relationship between the squid and the microbe Vibrio fischeri.
短尾烏賊是科學研究的一環，探討太空是否會影響烏賊與費氏弧菌之間的共生關係。
examine(v.)檢查;研究;探討microbe(n.)微生物;細菌
Microbes play a significant role in the normal development of animal tissues, and we rely on them to keep our digestive and immune systems healthy.
微生物在動物組織的正常發育上扮演關鍵角色，我們需要微生物維持消化與免疫系統健康，
play a role in sth.=在…上扮演某角色development(n.)發育;發展tissue(n.)(細胞)組織rely on=仰賴…
Through the experiment, scientists hope to identify ways to strengthen human health.
科學家們希望透過實驗找出增進人類健康的方法。
identify(v.)辨別;認出strengthen(v.)強化;加強strength(n.)強項;長處weaken(v.)弱化
Tardigrades, also known as water bears, are tiny creatures that can tolerate extreme environments.
緩步類動物（亦稱水熊蟲）是一種可耐受極端環境的小型動物，
tolerate(v.)容忍;耐受;忍受extreme(adj.)極端的extreme weather=極端氣候
That makes them perfect for studying biological survival under extreme conditions on Earth and in space.
這使牠們成為生物研究對象的首選，研究牠們在地球與太空的極端環境下能否存活。
survival(n.)生存
Principal investigator Thomas Boothby says the purpose of the experiment is to “understand how tardigrades are surviving and reproducing in these environments” and determine whether the information can be used to help astronauts in space.
首席研究員布斯比表示，實驗的目的是「了解緩步類動物如何在太空的極端環境中存活、繁殖，並判斷這些資料能否用來幫助在太空執行任務的太空人。
reproduce(v.)繁殖;繁衍;生育reproduction(n.)繁殖;繁衍;生育
Cotton is used in a wide variety of products, but producing it requires significant amounts of water and pesticides.
棉花的用途甚廣，但生產棉花需要大量的水與殺蟲劑。
a variety of sth.=各種各樣…pesticide(n.)殺蟲劑
Some cotton plants show an increased resistance to stress and produce 20% more cotton under certain stress conditions.
在某種壓力狀態下，有些棉屬植物可抵抗壓力，產量提高兩成。
resistance(n.)抵抗;反抗;阻力resistance to disease=抗病water resistance=抗水性
Researchers believe that an enhanced root system allows these plants to access more soil for water and nutrients.
研究人員認為增強的根系讓棉屬植物得以深入土壤吸收水份與養份。
enhance(v.)增進;增強access(v.)進入;登入
Root growth patterns depend on gravity, and this study could help determine which factors control root development in the absence of gravity.
根系成長方式取決於地心引力，而這項研究有助於了解在沒有引力的情況下，是什麼因素控制根部的發展。
depend on=取決於in the absence of sth.=在缺乏…的情況下
With improved understanding, scientists could develop stronger cotton plants, reducing overall water and pesticide use.
藉由進一步的認識，科學家可研發出生命力更強的棉屬植物，進而減少水與殺蟲劑的總體用量。
overall(adj.)整體的;全面的