For the first time, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC)has fined a company for improperdisposalof its defunctsatellite. The satellite cable company Dish Network was fined US$150,000 because it failed to move an old satellite that was no longerin operationto a safe distance from others currently being used. The FCC had asked Dish Network to move one of its older satellites, EchoStar-7, 186 miles further from the Earth. However, the satellite had only advanced 76 miles before it ran out offuel at the end of its operational life in 2022. The company admitted toits liability over the satellite and agreed to pay the fine.
An FCC representative described this case as a landmarksettlement. Dish Network violatedthe 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 authorityand capabilityto enforceimportant regulationsregarding space debris, which has become a growing problem.
It is estimated thatover 10,000 satellites are currently orbiting the planet, with over half of them no longer in use. With so many abandonedobjects in orbit, the risk of collisionhas greatly increased, posing aserious threat to active satellites and astronautsalike. To address this issue, the US government employs two methods for disposingof old satellites. The first option is for the objects to reenter the Earth’s atmosphere once they have exhausted their fuel. Upon re-entry, they break apartand 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.
1. Why was Dish Network fined1 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
單字片語整理
Words in Use
●
fine
[faɪn]
adv. 令人滿意地
adj. 優良的，漂亮的；晴朗的；細微的
n. & vt. 罰款
The store around the corner sells fine jewelry.
街角那家店販售高級珠寶。
I don’t want to work on such a fine day.
我不想在天氣這麼好的日子裡工作。
There is a fine line between love and hate.
愛與恨只有一線之隔。
Bill got a NT$6,000 fine for speeding.
比爾因超速被罰款新臺幣 6,000 元。
Bill was fined NT$6,000 for speeding.
比爾因超速被罰款新臺幣 6,000 元。
Cassandra did fine on the exam.
卡珊卓考試考得很好。
多益綠色
英檢初級
高中 Level 1
●
improper
[ɪmˋprɑpɚ]
adj. 不合適的，不適當的
The error was caused by an improper setting on the machinery.
該錯誤起因於機器的設定不當。
●
satellite
[ˋsæt!͵aɪt]
n. 衛星
The Oscar ceremony was transmitted around the world by satellite.
奧斯卡頒獎典禮透過衛星向全球各地播送。
It is not too much to say that Danshui is a satellite town of Taipei city.
淡水是臺北市的衛星城，這個說法並不為過。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
landmark
[ˋlænd͵mɑrk]
n. 地標；重要，重大（僅置名詞前）
The Statue of Liberty is a famous landmark in New York City.
自由女神像是紐約市著名的地標。
The government made a landmark decision
to build an industrial park in this area.
政府做出重大決定要在該區興建一座工業園區。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
violate
[ˋvaɪə͵let]
vt. 違反
Those who violate traffic laws will get a ticket. 違反交通規則的人將會接到罰單。
Becky said her mother violated her privacy in reading her diary.
貝琪說她媽媽看她的日記是侵犯了她的隱私。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
authority
[əˋθɔrətɪ]
n. 權威（不可數）；權威人士（可數）；有關當局（恆用複數）
Our parents have authority over us when we are young.
小時候，父母可完全支配我們。
My cousin is an authority on photography.
我表哥在攝影方面是個權威。
The authoritiesconcerned should take immediate action to deal with the problem. 有關當局應立刻採取行動處理此問題。
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
enforce
[ɪnˋfors]
vt. 實施，執行
=
implement
=
carry out...
We would love to see the government enforce stricter regulations.
我們樂見政府實施更嚴格的法規。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
regulation
[͵rɛgjəˋleʃən]
n. 規定，法規
=
rule
All staff must obey the new regulations.
所有同仁都要遵守新規定。
多益藍色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
orbit
[ˋɔrbɪt]
n. 軌道
vt. 繞軌道運行
The satellite is in orbit around the Earth.
這顆衛星繞著地球運行。
It takes the Earth 365 days to orbit the Sun.
地球繞太陽運行一周需時 365 天。
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
abandoned
[əˋbændənd]
a. 廢棄的；被遺棄的
I saw an abandoned cat on the street, and it followed me home.
我在街上看到一隻被遺棄的貓咪，牠跟著我回家。
高中 Level 4
●
exhaust
[ɪgˋzɔst]
.vt. 使筋疲力盡；耗盡
n. 排出的氣體（不可數）
The traveler exhausted himself on the long walk.
這名旅行者走了這麼長的路而使自己筋疲力盡了。
We overspent and exhausted our savings.
我們過度花費而把儲蓄都耗盡了。
We overspent and used up our savings.
我們過度花費而把儲蓄都耗盡了。
The machine gave off noxious exhaust.
這部機器排放出有害廢氣。
The machine gave off noxious waste gases.
這部機器排放出有害廢氣。
多益金色
英檢中級
高中 Level 4
●
federal
[ˋfɛdərəl]
adj. 聯邦的
This publishing company relies mainly upon federal funding.
這家出版社主要是依賴聯邦政府的資助。
The federal government will donate $1 billion to those states that need money for their economic development. 聯邦政府將捐贈 10 億美元給有經援需求的幾個州讓他們發展經濟。
高中 Level 5
●
disposal
[dɪˋspoz!]
n. 處理，處置；配置；布置；排列
=
removal
The disposalof waste is a serious issue to consider when dealing with pollution.
在處理汙染時，廢物處理是一項要考慮的重要議題。
It will be a lot more convenient for you to get around the city if you have a car at your disposal.
如果你隨時有車可以開的話，在城市裡四處逛逛就會方便得多了。
高中 Level 6
●
dispose
[dɪˋspoz]
vi. 處置（與介詞 of 並用）
Most countries have difficulties in disposing of
nuclear waste.
大部分的國家都面臨處理核廢料的困境。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 6
●
defunct
[dɪˋfʌŋkt]
a. 不再使用的（正式用法）
●
liability
[͵laɪəˋbɪlətɪ]
n. （法律上的）責任，義務；債務，負債；麻煩
=
debt
=
responsibility
The judge ruled the restaurant had no liability for the accident and was not required to pay any money.
法官判定該餐廳不用為這起意外負責，因此不需要付任何錢。
Because the company’s liabilities far exceeded its assets, it was in danger of going bankrupt.
因為這間公司的負債遠超過其資產，它面臨破產的危機。
Out of work and 50 years old, Burt knew his age was a liability in finding new employment.
伯特失業且 50 歲了，他知道自己的年紀在找新工作上會是個麻煩。
多益金色
英檢中高
高中 Level 5
●
ruling
[ˋrulɪŋ]
n. 裁決；裁定
英檢中高
●
capability
[͵kepəˋbɪlətɪ]
n. 能力；軍事武力
With his background in Latin, John has the capability to learn Italian quickly.
由於約翰有拉丁文的基礎，因此他可以很快就學會義大利文。
With his background in Latin, John has the capability of learning Italian quickly.
由於約翰有拉丁文的基礎，因此他可以很快就學會義大利文。
I can understand German in daily conversations, but understanding technical discussions is beyond my capability.
我可以聽得懂德文的日常會話，但是若要聽懂專業的對話對我來說就太難了。
It is reported that the nation is trying to develop its nuclear capability.
據報導該國正在發展核子武力。
高中 Level 5
●
debris
[dəˋbri]
n. 廢墟，殘垣斷瓦 (不可數)
=
remains
=
ruin
=
relic
The church was reduced to a pile of debris in the earthquake.
教堂在那次地震中化為一片廢墟。
高中 Level 5
●
collision
[kəˋlɪʒən]
n. . 相撞；（不同文化等的）碰撞，衝突
Due to the poor weather, there were some major collisions on the nation’s highways that resulted in
serious injuries.
由於天候惡劣，國道發生了一些嚴重的撞車事故，造成很多
人受傷。
Every time Debbie and her French boyfriend have
a discussion, a collision of cultures occurs, which
usually results in an argument.
每次黛比和她法國男友討論事情時，都會有文化衝突，而通
常這都會讓他們吵架。
高中 Level 6
●
collide
[kəˋlaɪd]
vi. 碰撞
The bus collided with a few parked cars.
這輛巴士撞上了幾部停放一旁的車輛。
英檢中高
●
astronaut
[ˋæstrə͵nɔt]
n. . 太空人
Astronauts must complete many years of training
before they can actually travel into space. 太空人必須完成多年的訓練，才能進入太空旅行。
高中 Level 6
Practical Phrases
●
be in operation
運作中；營運中
Ryan’s shop has been in operation since 1994.
萊恩的店從 1994 年營運至今。
●
run out of...
用完/光⋯⋯
We should buy some milk because we've run out of it.
我們應該買一些牛奶,因為家裡已經沒有了。
●
admit to N/V-ing
承認（做）⋯⋯
●
It is estimated that...
據估計……
It is estimated that 20,000 people will participate in the demonstration.
估計將有 2 萬人參與這次的示威遊行。
●
pose a threat to
對……造成威脅
Global warming is posing a threat tohuman survival.
全球暖化正對人類生存構成威脅。
●
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。
burn up 燒起來；燒完，燒盡
burn 動詞三態為：burn, burned / burnt , burned / burnt • The dry grass in the field can easily burn up during a hot summer.
在炎熱的夏日裡，田野中的乾草很容易燃燒起來。
以下介紹表「燃燒」的相關英文片語：
a. burn down(...) 是指「（房屋等）被火燒燬、歸於塵土」的意思。 • The old, abandoned house burned down to ashes in a matter of hours.
這棟廢棄的老房子在幾個小時內就被火燒成灰燼。 • The electrical fire accidentally burned down the house.
意外的電氣火災燒毀了這棟房子。
b. burn off... 除了表「燒盡／燒掉⋯⋯」外，也可用在「燃燒卡路里」之類的語意中。 • The farmer burned off dead vegetation to prepare for new spring crops.
農夫燒掉枯死的植被，以便在春季種植新作物。 • Mia decided to go jogging to burn off the calories from her desserts.
蜜雅決定去慢跑以燃燒她從甜點中攝取的卡路里。
c. burn out除了可用在表「（火）燒盡」、「（機器、引擎等因過熱）燒壞」外，也可以用來形容一個人「體力／能力耗盡」等。 • The motor has burnt out due to prolonged overuse.
這個馬達因長時間的過度使用而燒壞了。 • Andy will end up burning out if he continues working that hard.
安迪如果再繼續那麼拚命工作，最後會把自己的身體搞垮。
