This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay on the topic of satellites and space debris.

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IELTS Essay: Satellites

The increasing frequency of satellite launches and space debris is becoming a threat to the Earth.

What are the main causes of this phenomenon?

What measures can be taken to address the issue?

The growing frequency of satellite launches and the resulting increase in space debris is a pressing issue that has become a major concern for both scientists and policymakers. In my opinion, the primary causes of this phenomenon concern modern technological demands, and there are governmental measures that can be taken to mitigate the issue.

The origins of the increase in satellite launches are significant advancements in technology and a growing demand for global connectivity. Technological progress has reduced the cost of satellite launches, leading to an explosion in the number of satellites sent into orbit. For example, companies like SpaceX and Amazon have made plans to launch constellations of thousands of satellites into low Earth orbit to provide global internet coverage. As a result, this increase in the number of satellites in orbit has drastically contributed to the rise in space debris. The collisions between satellites and space junk further exacerbate the situation, generating even more debris, all of which is a result of the demand on Earth for more convenient internet access.

To tackle the growing threat posed by space debris, several measures must be taken at national and international levels. First and foremost, governments and space agencies must impose stricter regulations on the disposal of defunct satellites and debris. One potential solution is to require satellite operators to include de-orbiting mechanisms in their designs. For example, the European Space Agency Recently  launched a mission called “ClearSpace-1,” which aims to demonstrate the capability of removing space debris by capturing and de-orbiting defunct satellites using a robotic arm. In addition to the European Space Agency’s initiative, many nations are collaborating on creating spacecraft that can capture and remove space junk. These efforts, if scaled up and integrated into global space policy, could significantly help in clearing up space debris, safeguarding both satellites and future space missions.

In conclusion, the main causes of more satellites and debris in space include technological advances and to address these challenges, strict state management must be prioritized. By taking such measures seriously, one can ensure that space remains a safe and sustainable environment for future generations.

Analysis

1. The growing frequency of satellite launches and the resulting increase in space debris is a pressing issue that has become a major concern for both scientists and policymakers. 2. In my opinion, the primary causes of this phenomenon concern modern technological demands, and there are governmental measures that can be taken to mitigate the issue.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. The origins of the increase in satellite launches are significant advancements in technology and a growing demand for global connectivity. 2. Technological progress has reduced the cost of satellite launches, leading to an explosion in the number of satellites sent into orbit. 3. For example, companies like SpaceX and Amazon have made plans to launch constellations of thousands of satellites into low Earth orbit to provide global internet coverage. 4. As a result, this increase in the number of satellites in orbit has drastically contributed to the rise in space debris. 5. The collisions between satellites and space junk further exacerbate the situation, generating even more debris, all of which is a result of the demand on Earth for more convenient internet access.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.
5. Better to have more detail.

1. To tackle the growing threat posed by space debris, several measures must be taken at national and international levels. 2. First and foremost, governments and space agencies must impose stricter regulations on the disposal of defunct satellites and debris. 3. One potential solution is to require satellite operators to include de-orbiting mechanisms in their designs. 4. For example, the European Space Agency Recently  launched a mission called “ClearSpace-1,” which aims to demonstrate the capability of removing space debris by capturing and de-orbiting defunct satellites using a robotic arm. 5. In addition to the European Space Agency’s initiative, many nations are collaborating on creating spacecraft that can capture and remove space junk. 6. These efforts, if scaled up and integrated into global space policy, could significantly help in clearing up space debris, safeguarding both satellites and future space missions.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.
5. This essay is a bit long – aim for about 275 words.

1. In conclusion, the main causes of more satellites and debris in space include technological advances and to address these challenges, strict state management must be prioritized. 2. By taking such measures seriously, one can ensure that space remains a safe and sustainable environment for future generations.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

The growing frequency of satellite launches and the resulting increase in space debris is a pressing issue that has become a major concern for both scientists and policymakers. In my opinion, the primary causes of this phenomenon concern modern technological demands, and there are governmental measures that can be taken to mitigate the issue.

The origins of the increase in satellite launches are significant advancements in technology and a growing demand for global connectivity. Technological progress has reduced the cost of satellite launches, leading to an explosion in the number of satellites sent into orbit. For example, companies like SpaceX and Amazon have made plans to launch constellations of thousands of satellites into low Earth orbit to provide global internet coverage. As a result, this increase in the number of satellites in orbit has drastically contributed to the rise in space debris. The collisions between satellites and space junk further exacerbate the situation, generating even more debris, all of which is a result of the demand on Earth for more convenient internet access.

To tackle the growing threat posed by space debris, several measures must be taken at national and international levels. First and foremost, governments and space agencies must impose stricter regulations on the disposal of defunct satellites and debris. One potential solution is to require satellite operators to include de-orbiting mechanisms in their designs. For example, the European Space Agency Recently  launched a mission called “ClearSpace-1,” which aims to demonstrate the capability of removing space debris by capturing and de-orbiting defunct satellites using a robotic arm. In addition to the European Space Agency’s initiative, many nations are collaborating on creating spacecraft that can capture and remove space junk. These efforts, if scaled up and integrated into global space policy, could significantly help in clearing up space debris, safeguarding both satellites and future space missions.

In conclusion, the main causes of more satellites and debris in space include technological advances and to address these challenges, strict state management must be prioritized. By taking such measures seriously, one can ensure that space remains a safe and sustainable environment for future generations.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

1. Growing frequency of satellite launches – Increasing rate of satellite deployments
2. Resulting increase in space debris – Corresponding surge in orbital debris
3. Pressing issue – Urgent challenge
4. A major concern for both scientists and policymakers – A critical issue for researchers and decision-makers
5. The primary causes of this phenomenon concern modern technological demands – The main drivers of this trend stem from contemporary technological needs
6. Governmental measures – Official actions
7. Mitigate the issue – Alleviate the problem
8. Origins – Causes
9. Significant advancements in technology – Notable progress in innovation
10. Growing demand for global connectivity – Rising necessity for worldwide connectivity
11. Technological progress – Scientific development
12. Reduced the cost of – Lowered the expense of
13. Leading to an explosion in the number of satellites sent into orbit – Resulting in a rapid growth in satellite deployments
14. Have made plans to launch constellations of thousands of satellites – Have proposed initiatives to deploy networks with thousands of satellites
15. Low Earth orbit – Near-Earth orbit
16. Provide global internet coverage – Deliver worldwide internet access
17. As a result – Consequently
18. Drastically contributed to the rise in space debris – Significantly escalated the accumulation of orbital waste
19. Collisions – Impacts
20. Space junk further exacerbate the situation – Orbital debris worsens the problem
21. Generating even more debris – Creating additional fragments
22. Demand on Earth for more convenient internet access – Increasing need for seamless global connectivity
23. Tackle – Address
24. Growing threat posed by – Rising danger from
25. National and international levels – Both domestic and global scales
26. First and foremost – Primarily
27. Space agencies – Aerospace organizations
28. Impose stricter regulations on – Enforce tighter rules regarding
29. Disposal of defunct satellites and debris – Management of inactive satellites and orbital waste
30. One potential solution is – A feasible approach could be
31. Require satellite operators – Mandate that satellite providers
32. Include de-orbiting mechanisms in their designs – Integrate re-entry technologies into their models
33. Which aims to demonstrate – Intended to showcase
34. Capability – Competence
35. Capturing and de-orbiting defunct satellites using a robotic arm – Securing and removing inactive satellites with automated tools
36. Collaborating – Partnering
37. Capture and remove space junk – Retrieve and eliminate orbital debris
38. Scaled up and integrated into global space policy – Expanded and incorporated into worldwide space regulations
39. Significantly help – Greatly assist
40. Safeguarding both satellites and future space missions – Protecting orbital assets and upcoming explorations
41. Technological advances – Innovations in technology
42. Address these challenges – Overcome these obstacles
43. Strict state management – Rigorous governmental oversight
44. Prioritized – Given precedence
45. By taking such measures seriously – Through earnest implementation of these steps
46. Ensure – Guarantee
47. Remains a safe and sustainable environment for future generations – Continues to be a secure and viable space for posterity

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ˈɡrəʊɪŋ ˈfriːkwənsi ɒv ˈsætᵊlaɪt ˈlɔːnʧɪz

rɪˈzʌltɪŋ ˈɪnkriːs ɪn speɪs ˈdɛbriː

ˈprɛsɪŋ ˈɪʃuː

ə ˈmeɪʤə kənˈsɜːn fɔː bəʊθ ˈsaɪəntɪsts ænd ˈpɒləsɪˌmeɪkəz

ðə ˈpraɪmᵊri ˈkɔːzɪz ɒv ðɪs fəˈnɒmɪnən kənˈsɜːn ˈmɒdᵊn ˌtɛknəˈlɒʤɪkᵊl dɪˈmɑːndz

ˌɡʌvᵊnˈmɛntᵊl ˈmɛʒəz

ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt ði ˈɪʃuː

ˈɒrɪʤɪnz

sɪɡˈnɪfɪkᵊnt ədˈvɑːnsmənts ɪn tɛkˈnɒləʤi

ˈɡrəʊɪŋ dɪˈmɑːnd fɔː ˈɡləʊbᵊl ˌkɒnɛkˈtɪvəti

ˌtɛknəˈlɒʤɪkᵊl ˈprəʊɡrɛs

rɪˈdjuːst ðə kɒst ɒv

ˈliːdɪŋ tuː ən ɪkˈspləʊʒᵊn ɪn ðə ˈnʌmbər ɒv ˈsætᵊlaɪts sɛnt ˈɪntuː ˈɔːbɪt

hæv meɪd plænz tuː lɔːnʧ ˌkɒnstəˈleɪʃᵊnz ɒv ˈθaʊzᵊndz ɒv ˈsætᵊlaɪts

ləʊ ɜːθ ˈɔːbɪt

prəˈvaɪd ˈɡləʊbᵊl ˈɪntənɛt ˈkʌvᵊrɪʤ

æz ə rɪˈzʌlt

ˈdræstɪkᵊli kənˈtrɪbjuːtɪd tuː ðə raɪz ɪn speɪs ˈdɛbriː

kəˈlɪʒᵊnz

speɪs ʤʌŋk ˈfɜːðər ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt ðə ˌsɪʧuˈeɪʃᵊn

ˈʤɛnəreɪtɪŋ ˈiːvᵊn mɔː ˈdɛbriː

dɪˈmɑːnd ɒn ɜːθ fɔː mɔː kənˈviːniənt ˈɪntənɛt ˈæksɛs

ˈtækᵊl

ˈɡrəʊɪŋ θrɛt pəʊzd baɪ

ˈnæʃᵊnᵊl ænd ˌɪntəˈnæʃᵊnᵊl ˈlɛvᵊlz

fɜːst ænd ˈfɔːməʊst

speɪs ˈeɪʤᵊnsiz

ɪmˈpəʊz ˈstrɪktə ˌrɛɡjəˈleɪʃᵊnz ɒn

dɪˈspəʊzᵊl ɒv dɪˈfʌŋkt ˈsætᵊlaɪts ænd ˈdɛbriː

wʌn pəˈtɛnʃᵊl səˈluːʃᵊn ɪz

rɪˈkwaɪə ˈsætᵊlaɪt ˈɒpᵊreɪtəz

ɪnˈkluːd diː-ˈɔːbɪtɪŋ ˈmɛkənɪzᵊmz ɪn ðeə dɪˈzaɪnz

wɪʧ eɪmz tuː ˈdɛmənstreɪt

ˌkeɪpəˈbɪləti

ˈkæpʧərɪŋ ænd diː-ˈɔːbɪtɪŋ dɪˈfʌŋkt ˈsætᵊlaɪts ˈjuːzɪŋ ə rəʊˈbɒtɪk ɑːm

kəˈlæbəreɪtɪŋ

ˈkæpʧər ænd rɪˈmuːv speɪs ʤʌŋk

skeɪld ʌp ænd ˈɪntɪɡreɪtɪd ˈɪntuː ˈɡləʊbᵊl speɪs ˈpɒləsi

sɪɡˈnɪfɪkᵊntli hɛlp

ˈseɪfɡɑːdɪŋ bəʊθ ˈsætᵊlaɪts ænd ˈfjuːʧə speɪs ˈmɪʃᵊnz

ˌtɛknəˈlɒʤɪkᵊl ədˈvɑːnsɪz

əˈdrɛs ðiːz ˈʧælɪnʤɪz

strɪkt steɪt ˈmænɪʤmənt

praɪˈɒrɪˌtaɪzd

baɪ ˈteɪkɪŋ sʌʧ ˈmɛʒəz ˈsɪəriəsli

ɪnˈʃɔː

rɪˈmeɪnz ə seɪf ænd səˈsteɪnəbᵊl ɪnˈvaɪrᵊnmənt fɔː ˈfjuːʧə ˌʤɛnəˈreɪʃᵊnz

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

The g__________________________________s and the r_______________________________________s is a pressing issue that has become a_________________________________________________s. In my opinion, t_____________________________________________________s, and there are g____________________________s that can be taken to m______________________e.

The o____s of the increase in satellite launches are s____________________________________y and a g___________________________________________y. T____________________s has r__________________f satellite launches, l_______________________________________________________________t. For example, companies like SpaceX and Amazon h___________________________________________________________s into l__________________t to p__________________________e. A_________t, this increase in the number of satellites in orbit has d___________________________________________________s. The c___________s between satellites and s_______________________________________n, g________________________________s, all of which is a result of the d_____________________________________________________s.

To t_______e the g___________________y space debris, several measures must be taken at n___________________________s. F_____________________t, governments and s____________s must i___________________n the d_________________________s. O__________________________s to r____________________s to i______________________________s. For example, the European Space Agency Recently  launched a mission called “ClearSpace-1,” w_________________________e the c___________y of removing space debris by c____________________________________________m. In addition to the European Space Agency’s initiative, many nations are collaborating on creating spacecraft that can c__________________________k. These efforts, if s_______________________________________________y, could s___________________p in clearing up space debris, s__________________________________________________s.

In conclusion, the main causes of more satellites and debris in space include t_____________________s and to a____________________________s, s___________________________t must be p_____________d. B________________________y, one can e__________________________________________________________________________________s.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.nasa.gov/headquarters/library/find/bibliographies/space-debris/

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Outer Space

Question 1: Have you ever learnt about outer space and stars?

Question 2: Do you want to know more about outer space?

Question 3: Do you want to go into outer space in the future?

Question 4: Do you like science fiction movies? (Why/Why not?)

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic:

The first man to walk on the moon claimed it was a step forward for mankind. However, it has made little difference in most people’s lives.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Essay: Space Travel