The United States imposes the first ever fine against a company for space waste

Weather of Arabia - The American authorities, specifically the Federal Communications Regulatory Authority, imposed a fine of its kind ever on Dish Network for leaving space debris - space waste - without complying with the laws.

The company acknowledged liability for not moving an old satellite known as EchoStar-7 far enough away from other satellites still in use. A fine of $150,000 was imposed on the company, and this measure is considered a precedent in the field of regulating space waste and satellite matters.

According to the Federal Communications Regulatory Commission's statement, Dish did not adhere to the specified altitude for placing its geostationary satellite at the end of its service life. This altitude was lower than previously agreed upon, which could have caused problems with orbital debris.

Dish had agreed in 2012 to raise its satellite to an altitude of 300 kilometers above its operational trajectory, but due to low fuel levels, the company decided to raise it to an altitude of just over 120 kilometers above its trajectory. This decision was considered a violation of the concluded agreement and led to the imposition of a fine on the company amounting to $150,000 by the Federal Communications Regulatory Authority.

The United States imposes the first ever fine against Dish for space waste

Chief of the Federal Communications Commission's Office of Enforcement, Luyan A. Igal stressed the importance of ensuring that operators fulfill obligations related to space waste in light of the increasing use of satellites and the development of the space sector. He pointed out that Dish's decision is considered a breakthrough and that the Federal Communications Commission has very clearly demonstrated its authority and ability to impose and implement laws regarding space waste.

The settlement reached by the FCC and the company “includes an admission of liability by the company, an agreement to follow a compliance plan, and a $150,000 fine.” Dish did not immediately respond.

Space waste hazards

Space waste poses a great risk to the safety of spacecraft and satellites. In December 2022, for example, the Soyuz MS-22 capsule, which was connected to the International Space Station, was damaged by a small meteorite collision.

In early 2022, a Chinese satellite was hit by debris from a Russian satellite, which was destroyed the previous year during a "very serious" accident.

Of the 14,000 satellites in orbit, about 35% of them were launched during the past three years, and as the number of satellites launched into orbit increases, the risk of space debris accumulation and possible collisions increases. About 100,000 additional satellites are expected to be launched in the next decade, according to United Nations estimates. Therefore, regulation and measures to maintain the safety of outer space and spacecraft are becoming increasingly important.

Have you ever imagined having the remains of a satellite or space rocket fall on your head while you were walking down the street?

Sources: www.bbc.com