New ship bound for Earth’s bottom

Antarctica is a freezing faraway wasteland covered with glaciers. Thanks to two research icebreakers, Xuelong and Xuelong 2, scientists can now explore more of this mysterious continent.
被冰原所覆盖的南极是个极寒且遥远的不毛之地。在“雪龙号”和“雪龙2号”这两艘科研破冰船的帮助下，如今科学家们能够进一步探索这块神秘大陆。

On Oct 15, Xuelong 2 embarked on a one-month journey to Antarctica. Setting sail from the Shenzhen Shekou Cruise Homeport, the vessel will travel to China’s Antarctic research centers, including Zhongshan Station and Great Wall Station.
10月15日，“雪龙2号”踏上了前往南极的旅途，航程为1个月。这艘大船从深圳蛇口游轮母港起航，将前往我国中山站、长城站等南极科考站。

Xuelong also set off on Oct 22 from Shanghai to join Xuelong 2 for China’s 36th Antarctic expedition. Once there, they will collect data and make observations near Enderby Land – located along the northeastern coast of the continent.
10月22日，“雪龙号”也从上海出发，与“雪龙2号”一起执行中国第36次南极考察任务。到达南极后，它们将在位于南极东北海岸的恩得比地附近收集数据，进行考察。

According to Qin Weijia, director of the Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration, the expedition “aims to grasp the influence of Antarctic changes on the world, improve China’s ability to cope with climate change and increase participation in Antarctic global governance.”
国家极地考察办公室主任秦为稼表示，此次考察“旨在掌握南极变化对全球影响的趋势，提高我国适应与应对气候变化的能力，积极参与南极全球治理。”

Setting off on its first voyage to the Antarctic Circle, Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, is a significant part of the expedition.
“雪龙2号”首航南极，是本次考察的重要一环。

As China’s first domestically built polar icebreaker, Xuelong 2 features innovative technology both in terms of ice clearance and research gathering.
作为我国首艘自主建造的极地科学考察破冰船，“雪龙2号”在破冰和收集研究成果方面都应用了创新科技。

Xuelong 2 is 122.5 meters long, 22.3 meters wide, and can sail more than 37,000 kilometers in a single voyage and sustain 60-day expeditions with 90 crew members and researchers, according to its builder, China State Shipbuilding Corp.
造船方中国船舶工业集团有限公司介绍称，“雪龙2号”长122.5米，宽22.3米，续航力超过37000公里，自持力60天，定员90人。

Incorporating state-of-the-art design and advanced equipment, Xuelong 2 is capable of operating in any ocean around the world.
“雪龙2号”结合了最先进的设计和设备，能够在全球任何一处海域航行。

Wu Gang, chief designer of the icebreaker, said it can break ice up to 1.5 meters thick. With a maximum speed of 27.8 kilometers per hour, it can operate in temperatures as low as -30 C.
这艘破冰船的总设计师吴刚表示，“雪龙2号”的破冰能力达到1.5米厚。最大时速为每小时27.8公里的“雪龙2号”能够在零下30摄氏度的低温中航行。

“Xuelong 2 will become a major platform for China’s oceanic environmental survey and scientific research in the polar regions,” Qin Weijia told China Daily.
“‘雪龙2号’将成为我国开展极地海洋环境与资源研究的重要基础平台，”秦为稼在接受《中国日报》采访时如此表示。

Together, both ships will perform multidisciplinary observations on the sea, atmosphere, ice shelf, and biology. The project also aims to conduct preliminary construction work on China’s fifth Antarctic research station.
这两艘船将进行海洋—大气—冰架—生物多学科联合观测。该项目也旨在实施中国第五座南极科考站建设前期工程。

Wu said work has already begun on a next-generation icebreaker that will be even more advanced than Xuelong 2. It will be able to break ice about 3 meters thick and operate in temperatures as low as -45 C.
吴刚表示，我国下一代极地科考破冰船的研制工作已经开始，将比“雪龙2号”还要先进。该船型将具有在冰厚3米左右的环境中连续破冰航行的能力，还可以抵御零下45摄氏度的极低温。

以上文章内容选自《21世纪学生英文报高中版》，详情请见《21世纪学生英文报高中版》高二768期