本周一，英國劍橋大學太空飛行俱樂部的學生們利用一只氦氣球，將4只泰德玩具熊送到距離地面30公里的太空，并讓這4名“玩具宇航員”進行“太空漫步”。它們身著的四套“泰迪熊太空服”均由當地的中學生設計，而此次“太空漫步”實驗就是為了檢驗這四套“太空服”在-53℃的低溫條件下保護泰迪熊的能力。此外，太空專家們也希望通過這樣的活動讓學生們盡早參與到科技活動中來。

This Cambridge University press office (CUPO) handout shows two of the four teddy bears that were launched to the edge of space. Four teddy bears, fully decked out in custom-made spacesuits, were launched to the edge of space this week as part of a British university experiment. [Agencies]

Four teddy bears, fully decked out in custom-made spacesuits, were launched to the edge of space this week as part of a British university experiment.

Blasting off from Cambridge University's Churchill College on Monday, they were attached to a helium balloon and fitted with multiple cameras, a GPS receiver, flight computer and radio for the two-hour nine-minute flight, which saw them rise 30 kilometres (18.8 miles) above sea level.

The spacesuits were designed by local schoolchildren, as part of a project to engage youths in science and engineering, organised by the Cambridge University Spaceflight student club.

CU Spaceflight said the aim of the experiment was to find out which of the four spacesuits, each designed by a different group of students, best insulated the cuddly toys from the -53 degrees Celcius (-63 degrees Fahrenheit) temperatures.

"We want to offer young people the opportunity to get involved in the space industry whilst still at school and show that real-life science is something that is open to everybody," said Iain Waugh, CU Spaceflight's chief aeronautical engineer.

"High altitude balloon flights are a fantastic way of encouraging interest in science. They are easy to understand, and produce amazing results."

A Cambridge University spokeswoman noted: "No treasured possessions were endangered in this experiment."

(Agencies)

（英語點津 Helen 編輯）