US imposes first-ever fine for space junk after TV company leaves satellite in wrong location

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US authorities imposed first-ever fine space debris Officials announced on Monday, Oct. 2, that they had filed charges against the television company for failing to properly dispose of the satellite.

Dish Network will be fined 142,440 euros for “failing to properly deorbit” a satellite called EchoStar-7, which has been in space since 2002, according to a statement from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). He was reportedly fined.

“This is the first crackdown on space debris by the Commission, which is increasing its focus on satellite policy,” the FCC added.

Dish was fined after moving the satellite to a lower altitude than agreed upon at the end of its operational life, which the FCC said “could raise concerns about orbital debris.”

Why was the company fined for space waste?

In 2002, satellite It was launched into a geostationary orbit starting approximately 36,000 km above the Earth.

In 2012, as the satellite neared the end of its operational life, Dish committed to raising the satellite’s altitude to 300 km above its operational orbit. This means that the satellite has been moved to a “graveyard orbit” where other satellites are not at risk.

However, due to low fuel levels, the company limited the satellite to a geostationary orbit of just over 120 kilometers (120 kilometers), or 178 kilometers (178 kilometers) above its intended location.

This is a landmark settlement, making it abundantly clear that the FCC has strong enforcement powers and ability to enforce vital agreements. space debris rule.

The settlement reached by the FCC and the company “includes an agreement to acknowledge the company’s liability, adhere to a compliance plan, and pay a $150,000 penalty.”

Dish did not respond to requests for comment.

Why is wasted space a problem?

The European Space Agency estimates there are more than 1 million of them. debris debris In Earth’s orbit it is larger than 1 centimeter. Debris of this size is large enough to “disable a spacecraft.”

And orbital waste is already causing problems. In January last year, a Chinese satellite had a near miss with debris from a Russian anti-satellite missile test. The two objects came within just 14.5 meters of impact.

In 2021, debris struck the International Space Station’s robotic arm, creating a 5-millimeter hole.

“As satellite operations become more prevalent and the space economy accelerates, we must ensure that operators honor their commitments,” said Royan A. Egal, FCC Director of Enforcement.