中国已开始研制新一代超级计算机，预计其运行速度将是当今世界最高水平的10倍。
This year, China is aiming for breakthroughs in high- performance processors and other key technologies to build the world`s first prototype exascale supercomputer, the Tianhe-3, said MengXiangfei, the director of application at the National Super Computer Tianjin Center. The prototype is expected to be completed in early 2018.
据国家超级计算天津中心应用研发部部长孟祥飞介绍，为建造出世界上首台百亿亿次超级计算机“天河三号”的样机系统，中国计划今年在高性能芯片和其他关键技术上取得突破。样机系统预计于2018年年初完工。
"Exascale" means it will be capable of making a quintillion (1 followed by 18 zeros) calculations per second. That is at least 10 times faster than the world`s current speed champ, the Sunway TaihuLight, China`s first supercomputer to use domestically designed processors. That computer has a peak speed of 125 quadrillion (1 followed by 15 zeros) calculations per second, he said.
“百亿亿次”意味着该计算机每秒运算次数可达100亿亿（10的18次方）次。这至少是目前世界上运算速度最快的“神威太湖之光”的10倍。“神威太湖之光”是首台使用我国国产芯片的超级计算机，每秒运算最高可达12.5亿亿（10的15次方）次，他说道。
"Its computing power is on the next level, cementing China as the world leader in supercomputer hardware," Meng said. It would be available for public use and "help us tackle some of the world`s toughest scientific challenges with greater speed, precision and scope", he added.
“它的运算能力到了一个新等级，将进一步巩固中国在超级计算机领域的世界领先地位”，孟祥飞表示。“天河三号”将投入民用，“帮助我们更快、更精确、更大范围地解决一些世界上最难的科学问题”，他补充道。
Tianhe-3 will be made entirely in China, from processors to operating system. It will be stationed in Tianjin and fully operational by 2020, earlier than the US plan for its exascale supercomputer, he said.
天河三号从处理器到操作系统将完全由中国制造。它将落户天津，并于2020年完全建成投用，这比美国的百亿亿次超级计算机规划还要早。
China also likely has another exascale supercomputer in the works. "Such machines take years to make and typically are retired in six to eight years, so you always need a backup, especially when your older models are overworked."
中国也很可能筹备建设另一台百亿亿次级超级计算机。“建造这些机器需要花费数年，通常在服役6-8年后退休，所以我们总是需要一个替补，尤其当老机型在超负荷工作时。”
Tianhe-1, China`s first quadrillion-level supercomputer developed in 2009, is now working at full capacity, undertaking more than 1,400 assignments each day, solving problems "from stars to cells".
中国于2009年研发的首台千万亿次超级计算机“天河一号”现在处于饱和运行状态。它每天处理1400多个任务，解决“从恒星到细胞”的种种问题。
The exascale supercomputer will be able to analyze smog distribution on a national level, while current models can only handle a district. Tianhe-3 also could simulate earthquakes and epidemic outbreaks in more detail, allowing swifter and more effective government responses, Meng said.
百亿亿次超级计算机能够分析全国范围内雾霾的扩散情况，而现今机型的处理范围仅是一个区。天河三号还能更为细致地模拟地震以及传染病疫情爆发，让政府能更快更有效地做出应对，孟祥飞说道。
The new machine also will be able to analyze gene sequence and protein structures in unprecedented scale and speed. That may lead to new discoveries and more potent medicine, he said.
这台新机器还能以前所未有的规模和速度分析基因序列和蛋白质结构。这或许能带来一些新发现和特效药，他表示。
Liu Guangming, director of the National Super Computer Tianjin Center, said Tianhe-3 will generate over 10 billion yuan ($1.49 billion) in economic benefits per year, according to the The Paper, a Shanghai news organization.
据上海新闻机构澎湃新闻报道，国家超级计算天津中心主任刘光明表示，天河三号每年将会产生超过100亿元（约14.9亿美元）的经济效益。
