Quote:
Although the number of large artificial satellites orbiting the Earth is small compared to the number of small pieces of debris in orbit, the large satellites interfere more seriously with telescope observations because of the strong reflections they produce. Because many of those large satellites have ceased to function, the proposal has recently been made to eliminate interference from nonfunctioning satellites by exploding them in space. This proposal, however, is ill conceived, since _______.
Argument Analysis:
Premises: Although the number of large artificial satellites orbiting the Earth is small compared to the number of small pieces of debris in orbit, the large satellites interfere more seriously with telescope observations because of the strong reflections they produce.
2. Because many of those large satellites have ceased to function,
Conclusion: the proposal has recently been made to eliminate interference from nonfunctioning satellites by exploding them in space.
How do I know, what to do in the fill in the blank: This proposal, however,
is ill conceived, since _______
Which clearly shows that we need to weaken the proposal/conclusion
(A) many nonfunctioning satellites remain in orbit for years
(B) for satellites that have ceased to function, repairing them while they are in orbit would be prohibitively expensive
(C) there are no known previous instances of satellites’ having been exploded on purpose
(D) the only way to make telescope observations without any interference from debris in orbit is to use telescopes launched into extremely high orbits around the Earth
Quote:
(E) a greatly increased number of small particles in Earth’s orbit would result in a blanket of reflections that would make certain valuable telescope observations impossible
Only option that does what's required. Observation would be impossible if the number of small particles in earth's orbit increase, then we have no reason to explode the useless satellites as exploding would convert them into the small particles.