I was standing outside

我在十七歲時選擇了我的職涯。

on a hot summer night in Florida

我站在室外，

and just a few miles from the ocean.

那是佛羅里達的一個炎熱夏季夜晚，

I was waiting for a miracle to happen.

海洋就在幾英哩之外。

That summer, I was privileged to work as an intern

我在等待一個奇蹟發生。

at NASA's Kennedy Space Center,

那年夏天，我有幸成為實習生，

and the miracle I was waiting for

在太空總署的甘迺迪太空中心工作，

was the launch of the Columbia Space Shuttle

而我在等待的奇蹟，

carrying the Chandra X-Ray Observatory,

是哥倫比亞號太空梭的發射，

a telescope that would allow scientists to peer into the edge of black holes.

太空梭載著錢卓拉Ｘ射線天文台，

The entire sky filled with light.

這個天文台是個望遠鏡， 能讓科學家一窺黑洞的邊緣。

And it was as if it was daytime in the middle of the night.

整個天空被光照亮。

Soon, we could feel the rumble of the engines vibrating in our chests.

好像半夜裡的白天。

And it wasn't a miracle;

很快地，我們的胸口就能夠 感受到隆隆作響的引擎在震動。

it was the combined effort of a team of thousands of people

它並不是個奇蹟；

who worked together

它是一個千人團隊共同的努力，

to make was seemed impossible a reality.

他們同心協力，

And I wanted to join that team.

讓似乎不可能辦到的夢想得以實現。

So I decided to apply to a university where I could study aerospace engineering.

而我想要加入那個團隊。

And the following year,

所以我決定要申請進入一間 有航太工程的大學就讀。

I started at MIT in my engineering training

隔年，

and joined a student project building space robots.

我在麻省理工學院 開始了我的工程訓練，

And everything was going as I planned,

並加入了一個學生專案計畫， 打造太空機器人。

except I was confused about something important.

一切都和我規劃的一樣，

Now, my confusion arose in my summer breaks.

除了，我對於一件 重要的事感到很困惑。

I traveled to a school in Kenya,

我的困惑是在暑假出現的。

and there I volunteered with girls ages five to 17,

我旅行到肯亞的一間學校，

giving them lessons in English and math and science.

我在那裡當志工， 幫助 5~17 歲的女孩，

And they taught me songs in Swahili.

教她們英文、數學，以及科學。

And mostly, I just spent time getting to know the girls,

她們則教我唱斯華西里歌曲。

enjoying their presence.

通常，我的時間是花在 認識那些女孩上，

And I saw that these girls and the leaders in their community,

享受她們的在場。

they were overcoming important barriers

我看到，這些女孩以及 她們社區中的領導人，

to allow these girls to have the best possible chances in life.

他們在克服重要的障礙，

And I wanted to join that team.

讓這些女孩在她們的人生中 能夠有最好的機會。

I wanted to be part of a team that would help break down barriers

而我想要加入那個團隊。

and improve the lives of girls around the world.

我想要加入的團隊， 是能夠協助破除障礙

But I was worried that studying aerospace engineering

並讓世界各地女孩的生活 能有所改善的團隊。

wasn't the most useful.

但我擔心，研讀航太工程

I was worried this team in Kenya couldn't use the technology

並不是最有用的。

I was learning about space.

我擔心在肯亞的這個團隊無法使用

But thankfully, I still learned that I was wrong.

我正在學的這種太空科技。

I came back and interned at NASA again,

但，謝天謝地，我發現我是錯的。

and this time,

我回來並再次到太空總署實習，

a mentor taught me

這一次，

that countries like Kenya had been using space technology for decades

一位導師教我，

to improve the lives in their own countries.

像肯亞這樣的國家， 數十年來都在使用太空科技，

And then I knew that I could have a career in space

用來改善它們國內人民的生活。

and in development.

接著，我知道我的職涯 可以同時在太空領域，

This idea is not new.

也在發展領域。

In fact, in 1967, the nations of the world came together

這個想法不是新的。

to write the Outer Space Treaty.

事實上，1967 年， 世界各國聚集在一起，

This treaty made a bold statement,

訂下了「外太空條約」。

saying, "The exploration and use of outer space

這條約當中有段大膽的陳述：

should be carried on for the benefit of all peoples,

「外太空的探索與使用

irrespective of their level of economic or scientific development."

應該要為了人民的利益來進行，

We have not truly lived up to this ideal,

不論他們的的經濟或 科學發展程度如何。」

although people have worked for decades to make this a reality.

我們尚未真正實踐這項理念，

Forces such as colonialism and racism

不過數十年來人們 一直努力想讓它成真。

and gender inequality

有些力量，像是殖民主義、種族主義，

have actually excluded many people from the benefits of space

以及性別不平等，

and caused us to believe that space is for the few

其實已經將很多人排除， 無法享受太空的益處了，

or the rich or elite.

並讓我們相信， 太空是屬於少數人的，

But we cannot afford this attitude,

或屬於有錢人或菁英的。

because the world is engaged in a vital mission

但我們不能有這種態度，

to improve life for everyone.

因為世界正在致力於 一項極重要的任務，

Our road map for this mission comes from the 17 Sustainable Development Goals

改善每個人的生活。

of the United Nations.

關於這項任務，我們的藍圖 來自於聯合國的第十七項

All the member states of the United Nations have agreed

永續發展目標。

that these are priorities between now and 2030.

聯合國的所有會員國都同意

These goals give us our key moments and opportunities of our time --

這些是現在到 2030 年之間 要優先處理的議題。

opportunities to end extreme poverty,

這些目標產生出了我們的關鍵時刻 以及我們這個時代的機會──

to insure that everyone has access to food and clean water.

終結極端貧窮的機會，

We must pursue these goals as a global community.

確保每個人都能取得 食物和乾淨用水的機會。

And technology from space supports sustainable development.

我們必須要以全球共同體的 身份來追求這些目標。

In fact, there are six space services

而太空科技能支援永續發展。

that can help us pursue the Sustainable Development Goals.

事實上，共有六種太空服務，

Over the next few minutes, let's explore these six services,

都能協助我們追求永續發展目標。

and see examples of just a few of the goals they help support.

在接下來的幾分鐘， 咱們就來探究這六項服務，

You ready?

並用幾個它們協助 支援的目標來當例子。

OK.

你們準備好了嗎？

Communication satellites provide access to phone and internet service

好。

to almost any location on Earth.

通訊衛星

This is particularly important during times of disaster recovery.

提供了在地球上幾乎任何地點的 電話和網路的服務

When Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines,

在災難恢復的時候， 這項服務特別重要。

the local communication networks needed to be repaired,

當強烈颱風海燕襲擊菲律賓，

and teams brought in inflatable communication antennas

當地的通訊網路需要被修復，

that could link to satellites.

團隊帶了充氣式通訊天線到那裡，

This was useful during the time of repair and recovery.

這些天線可連結到衛星。

Positioning satellites tell us where we are

在修復和復元的時期， 這是很有用的。

by telling us where they are.

定位衛星

Scientists can use this technology to track endangered wildlife.

透過告訴我們它們的地點

This turtle has been fitted with a system

來告訴我們目前身在何處。

that allows it to receive location information from positioning satellites,

科學家可以用這項科技來 追蹤瀕臨絕種的野生動物。

and they send the location information to scientists

這隻烏龜被安裝了一個系統，

via communication satellites.

從定位衛星接收牠的位置資訊，

Scientists can use this knowledge to then make better policies

這些資訊接著會透過通訊衛星

and help determine how to keep these animals alive.

交給科學家。

Earth observation satellites.

科學家就能用這些知識 來創造更好的政策，

They tell us what's going on in our environment.

並協助判斷要如何 讓這些動物生存下去。

Right now, there are about 150 satellites

地球觀測衛星

operated by over 60 government agencies,

它們能告訴我們， 我們的環境發生了什麼事。

and these are just those observing the Earth.

現在，大約有一百五十個衛星，

And meanwhile, companies are adding to this list.

由超過六十個政府機構在操控，

Most of the governments provide the data from the satellites for free online.

這些只是用來觀測地球的衛星。

Some of these satellites provide images like this,

這期間，公司也在把 這張列表繼續加長。

that show what you would see from a camera.

大部分的政府在線上免費 提供來自這些衛星的資料。

This is an image showing agricultural land in Kansas.

有些這類衛星會提供像這樣的影像，

However, the majority of the Earth observation satellites

這是你從相機看到的。

don't take pictures at all.

這個影像呈現的是堪薩斯州的農地。

They take measurements.

然而，大部分的地球觀測衛星

And they combine these measurements with complex computer models

完全不拍照。

and make beautiful, global visualizations such as this one,

它們是在做測量。

showing the ocean currents

它們會把這些測量值和 複雜的電腦模型做比較，

and the temperature of the ocean, globally.

然後做出漂亮的全球視覺化 影像，就像這張一樣，

Or we can look at the salt and smoke and dust in the atmosphere,

它呈現出來的是洋流，

or the rainfall and snowfall, globally,

以及全球的海洋溫度。

as well as the annual cycle of vegetation on land and in the ocean.

或者，我們也可以看鹽份、 煙，以及大氣中的塵土，

Now, scientists can take this information about the rainfall and the vegetation

或是全球的降雨及降雪，

and use it to understand

以及在土地上和海洋中， 植物生長的年循環。

what areas on Earth are in danger of a famine or a drought

科學家可以取得這些關於 降雨以及植被的資訊，

and provide that information to aid organizations

用這些資訊來了解

so they can be prepared with food aid before the hunger becomes severe.

地球上哪些區域會有 饑荒或乾旱的危險，

In space, we have an orbiting laboratory on the International Space Station.

並將這資訊提供給救援組織，

The vehicle and everything inside are in a form of free fall

這樣它們就可以在饑荒變嚴重 之前就先準備食物救援。

around the Earth,

（微引力實驗）

and they don't experience the effect of gravity.

在太空中，我們有一間實驗室， 位在國際太空站上，繞著軌道運行。

And because of this, we call it "microgravity."

這飛行器以及裡面的 所有東西都是在地球周圍

When astronauts are in the microgravity environment,

自由落體的形式，

their bodies react as if they're aging rapidly.

它們不會受到地心引力的影響。

Their bones and muscles weaken,

基於這個理由， 我們稱之為「微引力」。

and their cardiovascular system and their immune system change.

當太空人處在微引力的環境中時，

As scientists study how to keep astronauts healthy in space,

他們身體的反應就像是 他們非常快速地老化。

we can take the exercises and techniques we use for astronauts

他們的骨頭和肌肉會變弱，

and transfer them to people on Earth

他們的心肺系統和免疫系統會改變。

to improve our health here.

科學家在研究如何讓太空人 在太空中保持健康，

Often, as we develop technology for astronauts and exploration

我們可以把太空人用的運動和技巧，

or for spacecraft,

轉變為針對在地球上的人， 來改善我們在此的健康。

we can also transfer those inventions to improve life on Earth.

（太空副產品）

Here's one of my favorites.

通常，當我們為了太空人、太空探索，

It's a water filtration system,

或太空船來開發技術時，

and a key component of it is based on the technology

我們也可以移轉那些發明 來改善在地球上生活的健康。

to filter wastewater on the space station.

這是我的最愛之一。

It's now being used around the world.

它是個水過濾系統，

Space is also an infinite source of inspiration,

其關鍵元件的設計依據， 就是太空站上

through education,

用來過濾廢水的技術。

through research and astronomy

現在全球都在使用它。

and that age-old experience of stargazing.

（靈感） 太空也是靈感的無盡源頭，

Now, countries around the world are engaging in advancing

透過教育，

their own development

透過研究和天文學，

by increasing their local knowledge of engineering and science and space.

以及那古老的眺望星星之經驗。

Let's meet some of the world's newest satellite engineers.

現在，世界各國都致力於

This is Elyka Abello, from Venezuela.

促進它們自己的發展，

Elyka is training as a satellite engineer

做法是增加它們對於工程、 科學，及太空的本地知識。

as part of her national satellite program in Venezuela.

咱們來見見幾位世界 最新的衛星背後的工程師。

She has designed a software tool

這位是艾莉卡亞貝蘿， 來自委內瑞拉。

that allows her team to better design the power systems for engineering.

艾莉卡受訓成為衛星工程師，

This is Adel Castillo-Duran,

這是委內瑞拉的國家 衛星專案計畫的一部分。

from the Philippines.

她設計了一個軟體工具，

Adel is both a meteorologist and a satellite engineer,

讓她的團隊能把工程需要的 電力系統設計得更好。

and she uses data from satellites in her weather forecasting.

這位是艾黛爾卡斯提洛杜朗，

And finally, meet Hala.

來自菲律賓。

Hala is from the Sudan,

艾黛爾身兼氣象學家及衛星工程師，

and as she was studying electrical engineering as an undergraduate

她把來自衛星的資料 用在她的氣象預報上。

in Khartoum,

最後，見見哈菈。

she and several students decided to build their own satellite.

哈菈來自蘇丹，

And later, Hala earned a scholarship to study satellite engineering

大學時，她讀的是電機工程，

at the graduate level.

地點在喀土木，

These stories that I've shared with you

她和幾個學生決定要 打造他們自己的衛星。

all illustrate that space truly is useful for sustainable development

之後，哈菈取得了獎學金， 讓她可以去研究所

for the benefit of all peoples.

攻讀衛星工程。

But we have more work to do,

我和各位分享的這些故事，

because there are still barriers that exclude people from space

都說明了一件事：對於永續發展 而言，太空真的很有用，

and limit the impact of this technology.

能讓所有人都獲益。

For many people, Earth observation data is complex.

但我們有更多工作要做，

And satellite communication services are too expensive.

因為還是有些障礙會 把人們排除在太空之外，

And microgravity research just appears to be inaccessible.

並限制了這項科技的影響。

This is what motivates my work as a professor at MIT's Media Lab.

對許多人而言， 地球觀測資料很複雜。

I've recently founded a new research group called Space Enabled.

而衛星通訊服務太昂貴。

We are working to tear down these barriers that limit the benefits of space.

而微重力研究實在 顯得很不平易近人。

And we're also going to develop the future applications

就是這個原因，驅使我 現在以教授的身份

that will continue to contribute to sustainable development.

在麻省理工學院媒體 實驗室中所進行的工作。

We'll keep on this work

最近我創建了一個新的研究團體， 叫做「 Space Enabled」。

until we can truly say that space is for the benefit of all peoples,

我們正在努力破除這些障礙， 不讓它們再限制太空帶來的益處。

and we are all space enabled.

我們也將會開發未來的應用，

Thank you.

這些應用將持續 對永續發展做出貢獻。

(Applause)

我們會讓這項工作延續，