Ever since the beginning of history, people have dreamt of interplanetary travel.
历史开端，人类就梦想星际旅行。
For centuries, these dreams have always remained dreams.
几世纪以来，这些梦想仍只是梦想。
However, scientists now want to make these dreams come true.
但是，科学家现在想让这些梦想成真。
They are planning to transform Mars so that humans can live there.
他们计划改造火星，这样人类就能在那居住。
Within 30 years, the first people will land on Mars and, by the year 2185, we will have established cities.
三十年内，第一批人将登陆火星，到2185年，我们将建立城市。
In many ways, Mars is the planet most similar to Earth.
在很多方面，火星是和地球最相似的行星。
A Martian day lasts about 24 1/2 hours (although a year has 687 days).
火星一天24.5小时（尽管一年有687天）。
While there is no water, there is a lot of ice in the two polar ice caps.
虽然没有水，但在两极冰帽上有许多冰。
The average temperature is -60℃.
平均温度为零下60摄氏度。
The plan involves changing Mars so that it becomes more like Earth.
计划包括改变火星，因此它可以变得更像地球。
This means using the ‘greenhouse effect’ (which we are trying to stop on Earth).
这意味着使用我们在地球上尝试停止的“温室效应”。
The suggested programme would have five main stages.
建议的项目将有五个主要阶段。
Stage 1 (AD 2030-2045).
阶段1（公元2030-2045年）。
The first expedition arrives on Mars, after a journey by spacecraft of about six months.
经过一段约六个月的宇宙飞船旅行，第一批勘探队到达火星。
The members construct underground buildings, conduct experiments, look for good sites for future landings, and also check for signs of life.
成员建设地下建筑，进行实验，为将来着陆寻找好地点，并检查生命迹象。
They can survive only as long as they wear spacesuits, because 95 per cent of the atmosphere is carbon dioxide.
他们只有穿太空服才能生存，因为95%的空气都是二氧化碳。
Nonetheless, the low gravity (one-third of Earth’s) means they can move around easily.
不过，低重力（地球的1/3）意味着他们可以轻易地四周移动。
Stage 2 (AD 2045-2095)
阶段2（公元2045-2095年）。
More expeditions arrive. Huge mirrors are put in orbit round Mars to heat the polar ice caps.
更多探险队到达。巨大的镜子被放置在环绕火星的轨道上，用来加热极地冰帽。
The ice caps are sprayed black, so that they do not reflect the heat away.
冰帽被喷成了黑色，这样它们就不会反射热量。
Chemicals are released into the air.
化学物质被释放到空气当中。
As a result, the atmosphere becomes thicker and retains more of the Sun’s heat.
结果，大气层变得更厚，并保留了更多的太阳热量。
If the greenhouse effect can be started, the ice caps will melt, releasing water vapour, and the temperature will rise to -40℃.
如果温室效应能开始，冰帽就会融化，释放出水蒸气，温度上升到零下40摄氏度。
Stage 3 (AD 2095-2130)
阶段3（公元2095-2130年）。
Next, plants are introduced from Earth.
接下来，从地球引进植物。
If these plants can survive on Mars, carbon dioxide can be converted into oxygen.
如果这些植物能在火星上生存，二氧化碳就能转化成氧气。
The first clouds appear, and the sky slowly turns from pink to blue.
首批云出现，天空也将慢慢地由粉色变成蓝色。
The temperature goes to -15℃.
温度上升到零下15摄氏度。
Stage 4 (AD 2130-2145)
阶段4（公元2130-2145年）。
The warming continues, melting more ice.
继续变暖，融化更多的冰。
Rivers and small oceans are made. More people migrate from Earth and construct towns.
形成河流和小海洋。更多的人们从地球移居过来，建造城镇。
Forests of trees are planted. Mars is looking greener. The temperature is 0℃.
树林被种植。火星看起来更绿了。温度为0摄氏度。
Stage 5 (AD 2145-2185)
阶段5（公元2145-2185年）。
Mars is getting more like Earth.
火星越来越像地球了。
The amount of oxygen in the air rises, and the air becomes breathable.
空气中氧气的数量上升，空气变得可以呼吸了。
The inhabitants can go outside without spacesuits.
居民不穿太空服就可以外出。
The temperature reaches 10℃.(Since Mars is 228 million kilometers from the Sun, it can never be as warm as Earth) Cities, farms and industries are built all over Mars.
温度到达10摄氏度。（因为火星距离太阳系有2.28亿公里，所以它永远不可能和地球一样暖和）火星上建满了城市、农场和工业。
The transformation is complete.
改造完成。
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