Company fined for violating space junk disposal agreement

This satellite could raise concerns about space junk.

On October 2, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced its decision to fine Dish, a television company, $150,000 for failing to properly dispose of expired satellites.

About 1 million pieces of debris larger than 1cm, large enough to 'disable spacecraft' in Earth orbit. (Source: Broadcastprome)

This is the first typical fine imposed by US authorities to handle a case of violating regulations on handling space debris.

According to the FCC, Dish has owned a satellite called EchoStar-7 in orbit since 2002. When this geostationary satellite ended its operational life, Dish moved the satellite to a lower altitude than the two parties had agreed upon, so the satellite could raise concerns about space debris.

Dish pledged to raise the satellite to an altitude of 300km in geostationary orbit in 2012, the commission said. However, when its fuel ran low, Dish decommissioned the satellite at an altitude of just over 120km above that orbit.

The FCC said the fine would resolve Dish’s violations, force the company to admit liability, and comply with the agreement. Dish has not yet commented on the information.

The European Space Agency estimates that there are about 1 million pieces of debris larger than 1cm, large enough to “disable spacecraft,” in Earth’s orbit. Space junk has caused problems ranging from a near-collision involving a Chinese satellite last January to a 5mm hole in a robotic arm on the International Space Station in 2021.

With satellites now playing a vital role in the Global Positioning System (GPS), broadband and banking data, collisions pose a significant risk on Earth.

(Source: vietnamplus)

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