Continued from yesterday（延續自昨日）:
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang
An FCC representative described this case as a landmark settlement. Dish Network violated the US Communications Act when it failed to move the satellite to a proper location for disposal. This ruling shows that the FCC has both the authority and capability to enforce important regulations regarding space debris, which has become a growing problem.
Photo: AdobeStock 照片：AdobeStock
It is estimated that over 10,000 satellites are currently orbiting the planet, with over half of them no longer in use. With so many abandoned objects in orbit, the risk of collision has greatly increased, posing a serious threat to active satellites and astronauts alike. To address this issue, the US government employs two methods for disposing of old satellites. The first option is for the objects to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere once they have exhausted their fuel. Upon re-entry, they break apart and burn up. The second option is to push these objects further into space into a junk orbit to lessen the risk of collision with active satellites.
聯邦通訊委員會的一位代表敘述這個案例是一個意義重大的和解。Dish Network 未能將該衛星移至適當的位置進行處置，違反了美國通訊法。這一裁決顯示，聯邦通訊委員會不僅有權力，也有執行關於太空垃圾重要規則的能力，太空垃圾已成為一個日益嚴重的問題。
估計目前有超過一萬顆衛星正環繞著地球，其中超過一半已經不再被使用。有這麼多被遺棄的物體在軌道上，大大增加了碰撞的風險，對運作中的衛星和太空人都構成了嚴重威脅。為了處理這個議題，美國政府採用兩種處理舊衛星的方法。第一個選項是讓這些物體一耗盡燃料就重返地球大氣層。當它們重返時，會瓦解並燃燒殆盡。第二個選項是將這些物體推送到更遠的太空垃圾軌道，以減少與運作中之衛星碰撞的風險。
What Did You Learn?
1. Why was Dish Network fined by the FCC?
(A) It has too many satellites in orbit.
(B) The company refused to retire a satellite.
(C) One of its satellites collided with another.
(D) It did not relocate its satellite to the correct position.
2. What does the decision involving Dish Network indicate?
(A) There are not enough rules regulating satellites.
(B) The US government should not control satellites.
(C) The FCC has the power to enforce rules in space.
(D) Dish Network was not at fault for the satellite’s location.
3. What is one risk of having so many deserted satellites orbiting the Earth?
(A) Astronauts can be hit by junk from them.
(B) They prevent people from observing the moon.
(C) They might fall onto the Earth without warning.
(D) These satellites may lead to light pollution on the Earth.
答案：1. D 2. C 3. A
Words in Use
7. enforce vt. 執行（法律等）
There’s no point in making laws if nobody enforces them.
如果沒有人執行，那麼制定法律是沒有意義的。
8. regulation n. 規則，規定
The new regulations apply to everyone in the office.
這些新規定適用於辦公室裡的每個人。
9. orbit vt. 環繞（天體等的）軌道運行 & n.（天體等的）運行軌道
be in orbit 在軌道上
The satellite will orbit the Earth and take pictures of its surface.
那個人造衛星將繞行地球並拍攝地球表面的照片。
The planets are all in orbit around the sun.
這些行星全都循著軌道繞太陽轉。
10. abandoned a. 廢棄的；被遺棄的
The abandoned building is scheduled to be torn down this morning.
這棟廢棄大樓預計今天早上進行拆除。
11. exhaust vt. 耗盡（資源、體力等）
Taking care of her newborn twins exhausted Jenny.
照顧剛出生的雙胞胎讓珍妮累慘了。
Practical Phrases
4. It is estimated + that子句 據估計……
estimate vt. 估計，估算
It is estimated that 400,000 people took part in the human rights march.
據估計，那場人權遊行有四十萬人參加。
5. pose a threat to... 對……構成∕造成威脅
threat n. 威脅
The tiger that escaped from the zoo poses a threat to people in the area.
那隻逃出動物園的老虎對該區民眾造成威脅。
6. break apart 解體，分崩離析
The boat broke apart when it hit a large rock.
這艘船撞到巨石後就解體了。
聽文章朗讀及講解: https://ivy.pse.is/455bfu
本文出自常春藤解析英語雜誌: www.ivy.com.tw
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