Satellite TV Company Fined and Held Liable in Groundbreaking Space Debris Investigation
Dish Network faces historic FCC fine for satellite mismanagement, highlighting their failure to adhere to proper disposal procedures This serves as a landmark case in combating space debris
Sign up for CNN's Wonder Theory science newsletter and delve into the realm of the universe with captivating updates on groundbreaking discoveries, scientific progress, and much more. Dish Network, a satellite television company, has recently incurred a hefty fine of $150,000 as a consequence of mishandling the disposal of one of its satellites. Remarkably, this is the first instance where federal regulators have imposed such a penalty.
The Federal Communications Commission, responsible for authorizing telecom services in space, revealed on Monday that it has concluded its investigation into Dish. As a result, Dish has been fined and has also admitted its liability, according to the FCC. The commission highlighted that this incident signifies its increased focus on satellite policy and enforcement against space debris.
Dish responded in a statement, stating that the satellite in question is an older spacecraft launched in 2002, which had specifically been exempted from the FCC's rule for minimum disposal orbit. Dish further clarified that the FCC did not raise any concerns about orbital debris safety related to the satellite and highlighted their extensive experience in safely operating a large satellite fleet, emphasizing their commitment as an FCC licensee.
Getty Images
The International Space Station has to change course to avoid Russian space debris as the amount of uncontrolled garbage larger than 0.4 inch (1 centimeter) in Earth's orbit continues to grow.
There is a potential danger that these objects could collide with operational satellites, the International Space Station, or other debris, increasing the risk of in-space collisions. Moreover, until recently, the satellite industry was mainly responsible for regulating its adherence to strict debris mitigation guidelines.
The FCC's inquiry focused on Dish's EchoStar-7 satellite, which was launched to a geostationary orbit, located approximately 22,000 miles (36,000 kilometers) above Earth, in 2002.
The FCC approved a decommissioning plan in 2012 to safely retire the satellite approximately 186 miles (300 kilometers) above its operational area. This would prevent any potential risks to other functioning satellites. Unfortunately, Dish failed to provide sufficient fuel on the satellite, preventing it from carrying out the planned maneuver. As a result, EchoStar-7 was left inactive in an orbit approximately 76 miles (122 kilometers) above the active regions in geostationary orbit.
The FCC's consent decree states that the presence of orbital debris in space poses a threat to both terrestrial and space-based communication systems. This is because it increases the likelihood of damage to satellite communications systems. Therefore, it is essential for the Commission to ensure that satellite licensees comply with post-mission disposal requirements as stated in their authorizations.
Although geostationary orbit is located above the low-Earth orbit where the International Space Station (ISS) and numerous small satellites, including SpaceX's Starlink network, can be found, it still houses large and costly telecommunications satellites. Companies like Dish, Intelsat, SES, and Viasat operate in this orbit.
