The US government has given Dish Network, a company, a fine because of space junk. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made them pay $150,000 because they didn’t move an old satellite far enough away from others. Dish Network said they were wrong and agreed to follow the FCC’s rules. Space junk, like old satellites and parts of spaceships, can crash into each other and cause problems.

Even though the fine is not a lot of money for Dish Network, it might make other companies think twice. Dr Megan Argo, a teacher of astrophysics, thinks that the FCC using its power will make other companies pay attention. There are more and more objects in space which can crash into each other and cause damage. Since 1957, over 10,000 satellites have been sent into space and more than half of them are not being used anymore.

Nasa, the US space agency, says that space junk is a big problem. Sometimes, the International Space Station has to be moved so it doesn’t get hit by flying junk. Even small things, like chips of paint, can be very dangerous if they hit astronauts or spaceships because they are moving so fast. The FCC making Dish Network pay a fine shows that they can and will deal with this problem.

Original news source: US issues first ever fine for space junk to Dish Network (BBC)

Listen

Slow

Normal

Fast

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Read the article and write a summary of the main points. Share your summary with a partner and compare your answers. Then, share your summaries with the class.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Choose 5 vocabulary words from the article. Without using any words, draw a picture to represent each word. Your partner must guess the word based on your drawing. Switch roles and repeat.

– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Think about the following question: “Why is space junk a problem?” Pair up with a classmate and discuss your thoughts. Then, share your ideas with the rest of the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Create a poll with the question: “Do you think companies should be fined for not properly disposing of space junk?” Ask your classmates to vote by raising their hands. After everyone has voted, discuss the results as a class.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Imagine you are a scientist working to solve the problem of space junk. In pairs, discuss and make predictions about what the future of space exploration will look like. Share your ideas with the class.

Comprehension Questions:

1. Why did the US government give Dish Network a fine?
2. What is space junk?
3. Why can space junk be a problem?
4. How many satellites have been sent into space since 1957?
5. Why does the International Space Station sometimes have to be moved?
6. Why can even small things like chips of paint be dangerous in space?
7. What does the FCC’s fine to Dish Network show?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

The US (1)______ has given Dish Network, a company, a fine because of space junk. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) made them pay $150,000 because they didn’t (2)______ an old satellite far enough away from others. Dish Network (3)______ they were wrong and agreed to follow the FCC’s rules. Space junk, like old satellites and parts of spaceships, can (4)______ into each other and cause problems.

Even though the fine is not a lot of money for Dish Network, it might make other companies think twice. Dr Megan Argo, a (5)______ of astrophysics, thinks that the FCC (6)______ its power will make other companies pay attention. There are more and more objects in (7)______ which can crash into each other and (8)______ damage. Since 1957, over 10,000 satellites have been sent into space and more than half of them are not being used anymore.

Nasa, the US space (9)______, says that space junk is a big problem. Sometimes, the International Space (10)______ has to be moved so it doesn’t get hit by flying junk. Even small things, like chips of (11)______, can be very dangerous if they hit astronauts or spaceships because they are moving so fast. The FCC making Dish Network pay a fine shows that they can and will deal with this (12)______.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is space junk?
2. How would you feel if you saw space junk crashing into each other in space?
3. Do you think it’s fair for the US government to give Dish Network a fine for not moving the old satellite?
4. Why or why not?
5. Do you think other companies will be more careful with their space junk now that Dish Network has been fined?
6. Why or why not?
7. What do you think Nasa should do to solve the problem of space junk?
8. How would you feel if you were an astronaut and had to move the International Space Station to avoid space junk?
9. Do you like learning about space and astrophysics?
10. Why or why not?
11. How do you think space junk affects the environment in space?
12. What can we do to prevent more space junk from being created?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. government
2. fine
3. space junk
4. satellite
5. crash
6. damage
7. astronauts
8. agency

Meanings:
(a) Old things in space that can cause problems
(b) An object that orbits the Earth and sends signals
(c) Harm or injury to something
(d) Money that you have to pay as a punishment
(e) When two things hit each other very hard
(f) The people who make rules for a country
(g) An organization that does a special job
(h) People who go into space
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why did the US government give Dish Network a fine?
(a) They didn’t pay their bills on time.
(b) They didn’t follow the rules for advertising.
(c) They didn’t provide good customer service.
(d) They didn’t move an old satellite far enough away from others.

2. What is space junk?
(a) Old satellites and parts of spaceships.
(b) Trash from outer space.
(c) Rocks and debris from other planets.
(d) Alien spaceships.

3. How much did Dish Network have to pay as a fine?
(a) $1,000,000.
(b) $150,000.
(c) $50,000.
(d) $500.

4. Why might the fine make other companies think twice?
(a) Because Dish Network is a big company.
(b) Because space junk is a big problem.
(c) Because the FCC used its power to enforce the rules.
(d) Because other companies are also not following the rules.

5. Who thinks that the FCC’s actions will make other companies pay attention?
(a) The CEO of Dish Network.
(b) Nasa, the US space agency.
(c) The International Space Station.
(d) Dr Megan Argo, a teacher of astrophysics.

6. How many satellites have been sent into space since 1957?
(a) Over 10,000.
(b) Less than 1,000.
(c) Exactly 5,000.
(d) More than 50,000.

7. Why does the International Space Station have to be moved sometimes?
(a) To explore different parts of space.
(b) To repair broken parts.
(c) To avoid getting hit by space junk.
(d) To get a better view of Earth.

8. Why are even small things like chips of paint dangerous in space?
(a) Because they can cause explosions.
(b) Because they can hit astronauts or spaceships at high speeds.
(c) Because they can block the view of telescopes.
(d) Because they can attract aliens.

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Dr. Megan Argo, an astrophysics teacher, doubts the FCC’s actions will make other companies pay attention.
2. Dish Network had to pay $150,000 because they moved an old satellite far enough away from others.
3. Over 10,000 satellites have been sent into space since 1957, and less than half of them are not being used anymore.
4. The US government fined Dish Network because of space junk.
5. Dish Network disagreed with the fine but agreed to follow the FCC’s rules.
6. Space junk is a big problem that can even force the International Space Station to move to avoid collisions.
7. Space junk poses no problems when it crashes into other objects in space.
8. The fine might make other companies think twice about space junk.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. Why did the US government give Dish Network a fine?
2. What is space junk?
3. Why is space junk a problem?
4. How many satellites have been sent into space since 1957?
5. Why is it important for companies to pay attention to the FCC’s rules about space junk?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. Why did the US government give Dish Network a fine?
Because they didn’t move an old satellite far enough away from others.

2. What is space junk?
Space junk is old satellites and parts of spaceships that are no longer being used.

3. Why can space junk be a problem?
Space junk can crash into each other and cause damage.

4. How many satellites have been sent into space since 1957?
Over 10,000 satellites have been sent into space since 1957.

5. Why does the International Space Station sometimes have to be moved?
The International Space Station sometimes has to be moved so it doesn’t get hit by flying junk.

6. Why can even small things like chips of paint be dangerous in space?
Even small things like chips of paint can be dangerous in space because they are moving very fast.

7. What does the FCC’s fine to Dish Network show?
The FCC’s fine to Dish Network shows that they can and will deal with the problem of space junk.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) government
(2) move
(3) said
(4) crash
(5) teacher
(6) using
(7) space
(8) cause
(9) agency
(10) Station
(11) paint
(12) problem
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. government
Answer: (f) The people who make rules for a country

2. fine
Answer: (d) Money that you have to pay as a punishment

3. space junk
Answer: (a) Old things in space that can cause problems

4. satellite
Answer: (b) An object that orbits the Earth and sends signals

5. crash
Answer: (e) When two things hit each other very hard

6. damage
Answer: (c) Harm or injury to something

7. astronauts
Answer: (h) People who go into space

8. agency
Answer: (g) An organization that does a special job
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. Why did the US government give Dish Network a fine?
Answer: (d) They didn’t move an old satellite far enough away from others.

2. What is space junk?
Answer: (a) Old satellites and parts of spaceships.

3. How much did Dish Network have to pay as a fine?
Answer: (b) $150,000.

4. Why might the fine make other companies think twice?
Answer: (c) Because the FCC used its power to enforce the rules.

5. Who thinks that the FCC’s actions will make other companies pay attention?
Answer: (d) Dr Megan Argo, a teacher of astrophysics.

6. How many satellites have been sent into space since 1957?
Answer: (a) Over 10,000.

7. Why does the International Space Station have to be moved sometimes?
Answer: (c) To avoid getting hit by space junk.

8. Why are even small things like chips of paint dangerous in space?
Answer: (b) Because they can hit astronauts or spaceships at high speeds.
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Dr. Megan Argo, an astrophysics teacher, doubts the FCC’s actions will make other companies pay attention. (Answer: False)
2. Dish Network had to pay $150,000 because they moved an old satellite far enough away from others. (Answer: False)
3. Over 10,000 satellites have been sent into space since 1957, and less than half of them are not being used anymore. (Answer: False)
4. The US government fined Dish Network because of space junk. (Answer: True)
5. Dish Network disagreed with the fine but agreed to follow the FCC’s rules. (Answer: True)
6. Space junk is a big problem that can even force the International Space Station to move to avoid collisions. (Answer: True)
7. Space junk poses no problems when it crashes into other objects in space. (Answer: False)
8. The fine might make other companies think twice about space junk. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧