英文 Space Shuttle 一般翻译成“航天飞机”,这种译法值得商榷。因为Shuttle 的原意是“短程穿梭运输”,因此 Space Shuttle 译为“航天运输机”更贴切一些。Space Plane 才是航天飞机,只不过“航天”一词已有飞行的意思,“飞”字略显多余。译为“肮天机”似乎更确切、简洁。为照顾读者的习惯,本文介绍的美军未来的 Military SpacePlane 仍称作“军用航天飞机”。 English Space Shuttle generally translated into “space shuttle”, this translation is questionable. Because Shuttle’s original intent was “shuttle service,” Space Shuttle translated “space shuttle” more appropriate. Space Plane is a space shuttle, but “space” has the meaning of the word flight, “fly” a little more than the word. Translated as “secret secret” seems more precise and concise. To take care of the reader’s habits, this article describes the future of the U.S. military SpacePlane is still referred to as “military space shuttle.”