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)
π Vocabulary:
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.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
Because they didn't move an old satellite far enough away from others.
Space junk is old satellites and parts of spaceships that are no longer being used.
Space junk can crash into each other and cause damage.
Over 10,000 satellites have been sent into space since 1957.
The International Space Station sometimes has to be moved so it doesn't get hit by flying junk.
Even small things like chips of paint can be dangerous in space because they are moving very fast.
The FCC's fine to Dish Network shows that they can and will deal with the problem of space junk.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
The US 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 an old satellite far enough away from others. Dish Network they were wrong and agreed to follow the FCC's rules. Space junk, like old satellites and parts of spaceships, can 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 of astrophysics, thinks that the FCC its power will make other companies pay attention. There are more and more objects in which can crash into each other and 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 , says that space junk is a big problem. Sometimes, the International Space has to be moved so it doesn't get hit by flying junk. Even small things, like chips of , 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 .
π¬ Discussion Questions:
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
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π Write a Summary:
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