More satellites are being launched into space so companies can expand their network and communication services. Despite the vastness of space, there's actually a limited area where satellites can function properly, and Dish has become the first to be fined for not keeping its junk off orbit.
FCC Fines Dish for Littering in Space
The Federal Communications Commission has hit Dish Network with a fine for failing to shift its satellite, EchoStar-7, farther from Earth. Since it is no longer functional, it has become a collision hazard for other space infrastructures including the International Space Station.
For potentially obstructing "the nation's terrestrial and space-based communication systems by increasing the risk of damage to satellite communications systems," Dish will have to pay a $150,000 penalty as well as propose a compliance plan.
FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan A. Egal says that the settlement is a breakthrough, as it makes it very clear that the FCC has "strong enforcement authority and capability to enforce its vitally important space debris rules," as reported by The Verge.
This is a notable step especially as technological advancement has led to more satellites being launched into orbit. With that said, space pollution may become a huge problem in the future wherein spacecraft may have difficulties getting out of Earth's orbit.
Dish reasoned that it had planned to maneuver the direct broadcast satellite 186 miles above the geostationary orbit back in May 2022, which had been determined a decade prior. By February 2023, the company was not able to go through with the plan.
The EchoStar-7 no longer had enough propellant to boost its way out of the area and only managed to reach 176 miles before shutting down. This meant that it had violated the terms it made to acquire its FCC license.
Why It's Dangerous
There have been thousands of rocket launches that sent satellites into space since the beginning of the space age in 1957. Since then, a lot of the artificial infrastructures are no longer active and are at risk of hitting other active satellites.
There are more dead satellites at about 3,000 compared to active ones at around 2,000, as per the National History Museum. Those in lower orbits are set to or already have re-entered the atmosphere and burned up in the process.
However, those placed in higher altitudes will continue to orbit the Earth for hundreds if not thousands of years without interference. Many satellites including the ISS have performed maneuvers to make sure they don't collide with incoming space debris.
The latest maneuver that was performed by the space station was back in March 2023 where it boosted out of the way to avoid an Earth-imaging satellite. With debris traveling as fast as 22,300 mph, according to National Geographic, even small debris can be a threat to the ISS.
For comparison, a bullet only travels 1,800 mph when fired. Iridium 33, an active US-base satellite collided with an inactive Russian satellite back in 2009, which resulted in both exploding on impact.
