Some people wonder why countries spend millions of dollars on space projects.
有些人不明白为什么国家要在太空项目上投入数百万美元。
They want to know how space research helps people on earth.
他们想知道太空项目如何帮助到地球上的人们。
Actually, space technology helps people on earth every day.
实际上，太空技术每天都在帮助地球上的人们。
This is called "spin-off technology".
它被称为"衍生技术"。
Spin-off technology is space technology that is now used on earth.
衍生技术是目前应用到地球上的航天工程技术。
In early space programs, such as the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s,
从20世纪60年代和70年代的阿波罗计划等早期太空计划，
and in the Space Shuttle missions today, scientists developed objects for the astronauts to use on the moon and in space.
到如今的航天飞机计划，科学家们为航天员研发了在月球上和太空中使用的物品。
We now use some of these objects every day.
其中有些物品我们如今每天都在使用。
For example, we have Quartz Crystal clocks and watches accurate to within one minute a year.
例如，我们使用的每年误差不超过1分钟的石英水晶钟表和手表。
We purify the water we drink with the water filter designed for the astronauts'use in space.
我们用滤水器净化饮用水，而滤水器是专为航天员在太空中使用而设计的。
The cordless, hand-held tools we use in our homes,
我们家中所使用的无线手提工具，
such as vacuum cleaners, flashlights, drills came from the technology of these early space programs.
比如真空吸尘器、手电筒和钻头，都来自于早期太空项目里的技术。
On cold winter days, we can stay warm with battery-operated gloves and socks, and especially made coats and jackets.
在寒冷的冬天，我们可以用电池供电的手套和袜子和特殊设计的外套夹克来保暖。
All of these clothes are similar to the spacesuit designs
这些衣服的设计和宇航服的设计相似。
that kept astronauts comfortable in the temperatures of the moon, and are spin-offs from space technology.
宇航服是为了使航天员在月球的温度下保持舒适。这些设计都是航天工程技术的衍生品。
These products are only a few examples of the many ways space technology helps us in our everyday lives.
这些产品仅仅是航天技术惠及我们日常生活方方面面的几个例子。
No one knows how new spin-off technology from the International Space Station will help us in the future.
没有人知道来自国际空间站的新的衍生技术未来会如何造福人类。

Questions 16 to 18 are based on the passage you have just heard.
请根据你刚刚听到的文章回答问题16至问题18。
Question 16. What do some people want to know about space exploration?
问题16：关于太空探索一些人想要了解些什么？
Question 17. What did scientist do for the space shuttle missions?
问题17：科学家们为航天飞机计划做了些什么？
Question 18. What does the speaker say about the Quartz Crystal clocks and watches?
问题18：关于石英水晶钟表和手表，说话者谈了些什么？