In the USA, for the first time, a company was fined for space debris
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In the United States, the satellite television company Dish Network was fined $150,000 for failing to properly dispose of one of its satellites.
This is reported by CNN.
American federal regulators issued such a fine for the first time.
This happened after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) demerger.
The object of the case was the EchoStar-7 satellite of the Dish company. In 2002, it was launched into geostationary orbit – a space that begins at an altitude of about 36,000 km above the Earth.
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The FCC approved a plan to remove it in 2012. This plan provided for the launch of the satellite to an altitude of about 300 km above its operating field.
However, they could not take him to the cemetery, where he would not pose a threat to other active satellites. The device did not have enough fuel on board. Therefore, EchoStar-7 remained dead at a higher altitude only 122 km beyond the active zone in geostationary orbit.
“Orbital debris in space compromises the nation’s terrestrial and space-based communications systems by increasing the risk of damage to satellite communications systems. Therefore, it is important for the Commission to ensure that satellite license holders comply with post-mission disposal requirements in accordance with their permits.” – says the FCC.
The Communications Commission of the Federation emphasized that such objects could pose a risk of collision with the International Space Station (ISS), active satellites or other debris, which would increase the risk of further collisions in space.
In addition, such cases were recorded earlier. For example, in 2021, space debris damaged the Canadarm2 robotic arm on the ISS.
Scientists also predict that the number of such debris in space may increase 50 times by 2100.
Read also: Not a comet, but space debris from Russia: a fiery “meteor” was seen near Australia
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