For the first time, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) fined a company for not properly disposing of space debris.
DISH Network launched the EchoStar-7 satellite in 2002. Ten years later, a plan was submitted to the FCC to decommission the satellite at the end of its mission. This plan involved moving the satellite 300 kilometers above its operational orbit to minimize the increasing risk of space debris collisions.
DISH estimated it would perform this maneuver in May 2022, based on remaining fuel and the satellite’s operational lifespan. But in February 2022, they realized they did not have enough fuel to launch the satellite into their committed orbit and were forced to decommission the satellite in an orbit 122 kilometers above its original orbit.
DISH settled with the FCC, admitted liability and agreed to pay a $150,000 penalty. We may see more punishment in the coming years as low Earth orbit fills.
So why is the FCC taking action on this issue?
As we mentioned above, low Earth orbit is filling up and some pretty dangerous events are taking place, with the International Space Station having to maneuver to avoid debris. One of the long-term concerns about space debris is that it could cause the Kessler Effect (or Kessler Syndrome).
Simply put, the Kessler Effect is when a single event in low Earth orbit (such as a satellite exploding) creates a chain reaction with debris destroying other satellites in orbit. If this occurs, debris could continue to collide with other satellites or other debris, potentially causing communications problems and leaving space areas inaccessible to spacecraft.
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