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英検1級 二次 予想トピック 99 ・ 🔬 科学・倫理・宇宙 ・ To what extent

To what extent should satellite operators be responsible for cleaning up space debris?

人工衛星を運用する企業や国は、宇宙ごみの除去にどの程度責任を負うべきか。

このトピックを選ぶべき人

宇宙ごみ（スペースデブリ）や、多数の衛星を使った通信サービスのニュースに関心がある人向け。

骨組み理由3つ（どちらの立場でも話せる）

賛成（Yes）で話すなら

I believe satellite operators should be responsible for cleaning up space debris to a large extent.

  1. polluter paysThose who create debris should pay to remove it, just as factories are responsible for their pollution on Earth. This principle also encourages operators to design safer satellites.
  2. growing riskThe number of satellites in orbit has increased rapidly. A single collision can create thousands of fragments, which could make some orbits dangerous for everyone.
  3. technology existsCompanies are already developing ways to remove debris. For example, a Japanese company has sent a spacecraft to approach and inspect an old rocket part in orbit, so making operators responsible would create demand for such services.

反対（No）で話すなら

I believe operators should be responsible only to a limited extent, because much of the problem was created in the past.

  1. old debrisMuch of the existing debris comes from old rockets and satellites launched decades ago, or from weapons tests by governments. It would be unfair to make today's companies pay for all of it.
  2. cost to innovationStrict cleanup requirements could make launches too expensive for universities and small startups. This might leave space to a few giant companies.
  3. shared responsibilitySpace belongs to no single country, so governments should share responsibility through international agreements. A global fund for debris removal could be fairer.

想定質疑面接委員はこう突っ込んでくる

QWhat rules do you think are needed?

I think every new satellite should be required to leave orbit within a few years after its mission ends. The United States has already introduced a similar rule for satellites in low orbits. Operators should also share data on their satellites' positions to avoid collisions.

Q：どんなルールが必要だと思いますか。
A：新しい衛星はすべて、任務が終わってから数年以内に軌道を離れることを義務づけるべきだと思います。アメリカはすでに、低い軌道を回る衛星について同じようなルールを導入しています。衝突を避けるため、運用者は衛星の位置のデータも共有すべきです。

QWhy is space debris a problem for people on Earth?

We depend on satellites for many things, such as weather forecasts, GPS, and communications. If debris destroys these satellites, our daily lives would be seriously affected. Debris also threatens astronauts on the International Space Station.

Q：宇宙ごみは、なぜ地上の人々にとって問題なのですか。
A：私たちは天気予報やGPS、通信など、多くのことを衛星に頼っています。宇宙ごみがこうした衛星を壊せば、日常生活に深刻な影響が出ます。宇宙ごみは国際宇宙ステーションの宇宙飛行士にとっても脅威です。

QShould countries that carry out anti-satellite weapon tests be punished?

I think such tests should be banned internationally, because they create huge amounts of debris that threaten everyone. Some countries, including Japan, have already promised not to conduct destructive tests. I hope this becomes a global rule.

Q：衛星破壊兵器の実験を行う国は罰せられるべきですか。
A：そうした実験は、誰にとっても脅威となる大量の宇宙ごみを生むので、国際的に禁止すべきだと思います。日本を含むいくつかの国は、すでに破壊を伴う実験を行わないと約束しています。これが世界共通のルールになってほしいと思います。

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