🚀 Part 1: What is Space Junk?

1. Circle the correct definition of space junk:

Rubbish that astronauts throw out of spaceships

Broken, old, or unwanted things floating around our planet in space

Rocks and asteroids from other planets

Food scraps left by aliens

2. Check all the things that are examples of space junk:

Satellites that no longer work

Spent rocket parts

The Moon

Bits and pieces from crashes or repairs

The Sun

Broken pieces from old spacecraft

🌍 Part 2: Where Does Space Junk Come From?

3. Fill in the blanks about how space junk is created:

Humans send _____________ and _____________ into space. Over time, some parts _____________ or fall apart. These pieces stay floating because there is no _____________ or _____________ to clean them up in space.

4. Match the space junk type with where it comes from:

1. Broken satellite

2. Rocket stage

3. Paint flecks

4. Antenna pieces

A. Falls off spacecraft over time

B. Left behind after launching satellites

C. Breaks off during space collisions

D. Stops working and becomes debris

⚠️ Part 3: Problems Caused by Space Junk

5. Why is space junk a problem? Circle all the correct answers:

It can hit working satellites and break them

It makes space look untidy

It can be dangerous for astronauts

It blocks sunlight from reaching Earth

6. Explain in your own words why keeping space clean is important for our future:

🎨 Part 4: Space Junk Vocabulary and Drawing

7. Write the meaning of these space junk vocabulary words:

Space junk: _________________________________________________

Satellite: _________________________________________________

Debris: _________________________________________________

Orbit: _________________________________________________

8. Draw one type of space junk floating around Earth. Label your drawing:

💭 Part 5: Think About Solutions

9. What are some ideas you have to help reduce space junk? Write at least two suggestions:

10. True or False? Circle your answer:

Space junk will eventually fall to Earth and disappear on its own. TRUE / FALSE

11. Complete this sentence:

One new thing I learned about space junk today is ________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________