Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
In a historic move, the US government's Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has imposed its inaugural fine on a company for neglecting space debris management. Dish Network is slapped with a $150,000 fine for failing to relocate its outdated EchoStar-7 satellite away from operational ones.
According to BBC, Dish Network has accepted responsibility for the negligence related to the EchoStar-7 satellite, initiating a "compliance plan" in conjunction with the FCC. This marks a significant milestone in space debris regulation.
Space junk, also known as space debris, encompasses defunct technological remnants orbiting Earth, including retired satellites and spacecraft components. The growing threat of collisions with active assets necessitates vigilant management of these defunct objects.
The FCC asserted that Dish's EchoStar-7 satellite posed a potential hazard to other functioning satellites at its present orbital altitude, highlighting the pressing need for compliance with space debris regulations.
The EchoStar-7 satellite, initially launched in 2002, resided in geostationary orbit, beginning at 22,000 miles (36,000km) above Earth's surface. Dish was obligated to displace the satellite 186 miles further from Earth but fell short, having moved it only 76 miles due to fuel depletion.
Loyaan Egal, Chief of the FCC Enforcement Bureau, emphasised the importance of enforcing space debris regulations, especially as satellite operations grow in prevalence. The fine demonstrates the FCC's enforcement capabilities and commitment to safeguarding orbital safety.
Although the $150,000 fine represents a minor fraction of Dish's annual revenue, experts believe it will serve as a warning to other satellite operators. Dr. Megan Argo, an astrophysics senior lecturer believes this historic penalty will encourage industry stakeholders to prioritise space debris management.
The burgeoning number of objects in Earth's orbit heightens the risk of collisions, leading to high-speed debris generation. A single collision can trigger a cascading effect, potentially causing damage to more satellites and exacerbating the space debris problem.
With over 10,000 satellites launched into space since the first in 1957, more than half are now non-operational. NASA reports an excess of 25,000 space debris pieces measuring over 10cm in length, underscoring the magnitude of the challenge.
The growing space debris problem, as highlighted by NASA's Bill Nelson, is a major concern for space activities. Even minute debris fragments, propelled at orbital speeds of 17,500 miles an hour, pose significant risks to astronauts and spacecraft, compelling the International Space Station to frequently adjust its orbit to avoid potential collisions.