probe 復習
JAXAは４日、金星探査機「あかつき」の姿勢制御エンジンを噴射して、観測期間延長のための軌道の修正を試みました。
Akatsuki Venus probe's orbit altered
Japan's space agency has conducted an additional orbit change for its Venus probe in an attempt to more than double its observation period.
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, launched the Venus Climate Orbiter Akatsuki in 2010. But its main engine failed that year. In December, JAXA engineers managed to maneuver the probe into Venus orbit by using its small thruster engines.
Akatsuki is now in an elliptical orbit around Venus. The engineers next conducted test observations. They say there has been no problem with the orbiter's equipment and that the observations were more accurate than expected.
They then judged that the observation accuracy will not decline even if the probe travels somewhat farther from Venus so it can observe the planet for longer periods.
The engineers attempted the orbit change at around 4:30 PM Japan time on Monday. They fired 4 small thruster engines for about 15 seconds as planned.
They say it will take a few days to confirm whether the craft has entered the planned orbit.
They say a successful adjustment would extend the probe's observation period to around 2,000 days elliptical 800.
JAXA says that by extending the observation period it can examine in detail meteorological conditions on Venus. Full-scale observations will start later this month.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20160404_28/
今回取り上げる単語は、”probe”です。見出し及び文中にも使われているこの単語ですが、「〘宇宙〙無人宇宙探査機（space probe）」という意味が、『ウィズダム英和辞典』（第３版，三省堂）に載っていました。
Weblioによると、原義は「探り針」で、物や事に関する隠された情報を「厳密(綿密)に調べる、(探り針などを使って)探る、探索する」という意味で、動詞としても用いるようです。
Macmillandictionary.comには、” [INTRANSITIVE/TRANSITIVE] to try to find out the truth about something, especially by asking a lot of questions”と定義されており、例文として、
Investigators are probing the causes of the plane crash.
が示されていました。（Blue Sky）
PS “probe”の動詞としての使い方については、過去にも紹介されているので、そちらもご覧ください。
