Before astronauts can go into space, they have to have the right suit. That’s why NASA（美国国家航天和航空局）scientists are developing a new kind of space suit——lighter and more flexible than before. These new space suits will have lots of mobility(灵活性) for the astronauts, but will not need much maintenance. NASA wants the suits to include new technology that can help astronauts be safe in outer space.
Right now, the American space suit weighs about 275 pounds and is big and massive. But the suit is also easy to work in for long periods of time. The Russian space suit is less complicated, but is used only a few times and then gets thrown away.
“Finding the right balance is always going to be a challenge,” said a long-time astronaut Jeff Williams. Williams has worn both types of suits. Space suits protect astronauts from both extreme heat and freezing temperatures. They carry life-packs with oxygen for the astronauts. They also shield astronauts from radiation, or particles that send out harmful rays.
Scientists are using computers to design the new suits. This allows them to change the design again and again, and to even test the design out before actually making anything. “There’s a lot more capable tools and technology to get the job done——a lot more knowledge, as well,” said Joe Kosmo. Kosmo helped design, develop, and test suits during the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and shuttle periods.
These new space suits will be much lighter and use a new kind of complex material. They also will have a smaller life support backpack, thanks to tiny electronics. NASA hopes to have the first prototypes(原型) in development by 2010 and certify(证明) the suit by 2012. This will be in time for the launch of the Orion spaceship in 2014.
小题1: What characteristic does the new space suit have?
A．The new space suit will need much maintenance.
B．The new space suit will be heavier than before.
C．The new space suit will have less mobility than before.
D．The new suit will use new technology to help astronauts be safe in outer space.小题2:What’s the disadvantage of the Russian space suit?
A．The Russian space suit is big and massive.
B．The Russian space suit is much complicated.
C．The Russian space suit is merely used a few times.
D．The Russian space suit is easy to work in for long periods of time.小题3:The underlined word “shield” in the third paragraph might mean_______.
A．harm
B．protect
C．help
D．warn小题4:Why can scientists test the design out before actually making the new space suits?
A．Because designing the new space suit is not a complex task.
B．Because computers are being used to help scientists design the new space suits.
C．Because it needs little knowledge to design the new space suits.
D．Because the scientists only change the old space suits a little and make them into the new ones.小题5:How long will it take scientists to put the new space suits from prototypes into the first practical use?
A．Two years.
B．Three years.
C．Four years.
D．Six years.
