VOA常速英语:Atlantis Crew Ready for Final Shuttle Mission

短语讲解：

1. The U.S. space shuttles - the complex workhorses of the U.S. space program - are being retired so NASA can focus on developing spacecraft that can travel beyond low-Earth-orbit. 

focus on集中于，致力于
例句：Today we're going to focus on the question of homeless people.
今天, 我们主要讨论无家可归者的问题。

2. The space shuttle Atlantis is set to lift off on July 8 - the final launch in the 30-year-old shuttle program.

lift off (飞机、火箭等)起飞, 发射升空
例句：The rocket is due to lift off at noon on Friday.
火箭定于星期五中午发射。

3. We have more on the 12-day mission to carry supplies and spare parts to the International Space Station.

spare parts备用零件;散件;零部件
例句：He bought a large quantity of spare parts.
他购买了大量的零部件。

4. These four astronauts are about to make an historic journey.

be about to将要,正打算
例句：We are about to leave tomorrow.
我们明天就要离开。

5. Mission Specialist Rex Walheim, Commander Chris Ferguson, Pilot Doug Hurley and Mission Specialist Sandra Magnus make up the last crew to fly aboard a NASA space shuttle. 

make up组成, 构成
例句：How many countries make up the Common Market?
(欧洲)共同市场由多少国家组成?

6. It was like, 'Wow, look at tha

look at 看, 注视(某人或某物)
例句：The pupils are all looking at the chart on the wall.
学生都瞧着墙上的挂图。

7. It looks like an airplane, but it's launching like a rocket.

look like看起来与(某人或某物)相像〔相似〕
例句：He looks like a scholar.
他看上去像个学者。

8. But this time it is different, because NASA is retiring the shuttle fleet at the end of this mission.

at the end of在…结尾,在…末端
例句：The audience clapped at the end of the play .
剧终时观众鼓掌。

9. "We're very honored to be in this position," said Commander Ferguson.

be honored to do荣幸做…
例句：I am honored to be here with you.
能和你在这里我感到很荣幸。

10. The astronauts readied for this mission with ascent training in a simulator, water survival training, running through emergency scenarios - such as a fake fire on a mock-up of the space station, preparing in virtual reality labs and more simulators, reviewing the tools they might need in space and practicing post-landing exits from a mock-up of the shuttle.

run through复习, 排练; 跑着穿过…
例句：Let's run through the first scene again.
让我们再排练一次第一场。

11. The crew says it is ready for this final mission.

be ready for为...做好准备
Both sides are ready for the contest
双方均准备好比赛。

12. "Although NASA is retiring its shuttle fleet, the United States has committed to funding the space station through 2020.

commit to 对…作出承诺, 承担义务, 担负责任; 使(自己)致力于…
I must go. I have committed myself to the club tonight and the members are expecting me.
我得走了, 我已经答应今晚去俱乐部, 会员们正等着我呢。