The United States government has handed out its first-ever fine to a private company that left space debris in orbit. The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a $150,000 fine (around £124,000) to satellite TV provider DISH for not safely deorbiting its EchoStar-7 satellite. The satellite was launched in 2002, and DISH originally intended to deorbit the spacecraft in May 2022. The satellite ran out of fuel, however, leaving the company no choice but to leave the satellite 100 miles short of its designated disposal region high above geostationary orbit. In this region, satellites can remain over one fixed spot on Earth. The failure to dispose of the satellite at the end of its operational life violated the FCC’s Communications Act.
The FCC issued the fine as part of its efforts to crackdown on irresponsible activity in Earth’s orbit. “As satellite operations become more prevalent and the space economy accelerates, we must be certain that operators comply with their commitments,” said FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan A Egal. “This is a breakthrough settlement, making very clear the FCC has strong enforcement authority and capability to enforce its vitally important space debris rules.”
An illustration of a satellite in geosynchronous orbit
© Getty / Stefan Payne-Wardenaar;Robert Gendler;ESO