Sign up for CNN’s Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news about fascinating discoveries, scientific advances and more.
CNN –
Satellite television company Dish Network was fined $150,000 for improperly disposing of one of its satellites. This is the first time federal regulators have imposed such a penalty.
The Federal Communications Commission, which approves space-based telecommunications services, announced Monday that it had completed an investigation into Dish, resulting in a fine and an “admission of liability” by the company.
“This is a first in space debris enforcement by the Commission, which has increased its efforts in satellite policy,” the FCC said in a news release.
Dish responded in a statement, saying that the satellite in question was “an older spacecraft (launched in 2002) that was specifically exempt from the FCC rule requiring a minimum disposal orbit.”
Dish also said the FCC has not made any claims that the satellite “raises safety concerns regarding debris in orbit,” and said the company has a “long track record of safely flying a large fleet of satellites and assumes its responsibilities as an FCC licensee.” serious.”
Space debris is becoming an increasingly pressing problem for satellite operators. It is estimated that there are nearly 700,000 uncontrolled pieces of debris larger than 1 centimeter in Earth orbit.
The objects could pose a risk of collision with active satellites, the International Space Station or other debris, further exacerbating the risk of collisions in space. And until recently, the satellite industry was largely left to self-regulate compliance with the most stringent debris mitigation recommendations.
The FCC’s investigation into Dish focused on a satellite called EchoStar-7. It was launched in 2002 into geostationary orbit – a space field that begins about 22,000 miles (36,000 kilometers) above Earth.
The FCC approved a decommissioning plan in 2012 to ensure that the satellite is decommissioned about 186 miles (300 kilometers) above its operating area – which essentially means the decommissioned satellite is placed in a graveyard orbit where it poses no threat to other active ones represents satellites.
However, according to the FCC, Dish did not leave enough fuel on board the satellite to make this maneuver possible. And EchoStar-7 was instead left dead in an orbit just about 76 miles (122 kilometers) above the active areas in geostationary orbit.
“Orbital debris in space endangers the nation’s terrestrial and space-based communications systems by increasing the risk of damage to satellite communications systems,” the FCC consent decree states. “It is therefore important that the Commission ensure that satellite licensees comply with post-mission disposal requirements in a manner consistent with their permits.”
Geostationary orbit is well above low Earth orbit, the region of space that is home to the ISS and thousands of small satellites, including SpaceX’s Starlink network, as well as most problematic space debris. But there are still large, expensive telecommunications satellites in geostationary orbit, such as those operated by Dish, Intelsat, SES and Viasat.