US Government Fines Company for Space Debris Mishap
In a pioneering move, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued its maiden penalty for mishandling space debris. The company in question, DISH, will bear the brunt, facing a fine of $150,000 (£124,000) for failing to safely remove its EchoStar-7 satellite from orbit.
DISH, a satellite TV provider, readily acknowledged responsibility for the situation. The FCC expressed concerns over potential orbital debris complications arising from DISH’s actions, marking this event as a “breakthrough settlement” amidst the growing space debris conundrum.
This mounting issue results from the surging number of satellite launches by both commercial companies and governments, prompting the FCC to enforce compliance more rigorously. Loyaan Egal, chief of the FCC’s enforcement bureau, emphasized the necessity of holding operators accountable as satellite operations become increasingly prevalent and the space industry accelerates.
The saga began when DISH launched its EchoStar-7 satellite in 2002 and planned to retire it from service in May 2022, according to CNBC. However, DISH confronted an unforeseen dilemma a few months before the scheduled retirement. The satellite’s remaining fuel proved insufficient to maneuver it to a disposal location as originally intended.
DISH had initially committed to an “orbital debris mitigation plan” with the FCC, agreeing to relocate the satellite. Instead of retiring the satellite at a safer distance of 300km from its geostationary orbit, DISH opted for a closer retirement, approximately 122km away – significantly short of the disposal orbit prescribed by the FCC.
Last year, the FCC introduced a new “five-year rule” dictating that satellites in low Earth orbit must be safely disposed of within five years after completing their missions, a drastic reduction from the prior 25-year limit. This rule underscores the growing urgency of addressing the escalating issue of space debris, as it pertains to satellites left in orbit.