U.S. Issues First ‘Space Junk’ Fine

What's the story?

• The U.S. government issued the first company fine for leaving space junk in the Earth's orbit.
• The Federal Communications Commission fined Dish Network $150,000 for failing to move an old satellite away from others currently in use. Dish Network agreed to develop a "compliance plan" for its satellite, EchoStar-7.
• The dish was supposed to move 186 miles away from Earth but only got 76 miles before running out of fuel.
• FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyann Egal said:

"As satellite operations become more prevalent and the space economy accelerates, we must be certain that operators comply with their legal commitments. This is a breakthrough settlement, making very clear the FCC has strong enforcement authority and capability to enforce its vitally important space debris rules."

What is space debris?

• Space debris, alternately called space junk, is any piece of machinery or waste left by humans in space. It's estimated that more than 10,000 satellites have been launched into space since 1957 — half of which are inoperable. 
• Space debris is often large objects, like expired or failed satellites, or those that have been left in orbit after their mission. It also refers to small items like paint flecks and particles that have shed off rockets and machinery.
• There are 2,000 active satellites orbiting Earth and 3,000 dead ones "littering" space. Scientists have estimated that there are 34,000 pieces of space junk over 10 centimeters in size, and millions of smaller pieces. Space debris poses a risk to satellites in orbit, which can be damaged or destroyed by collisions.
• Bill Nelson from NASA said:

"Even a paint chip… coming in the wrong direction at orbital speed, which is 17,500 miles an hour [could] hit an astronaut doing a spacewalk. That can be fatal."

How do you feel about space debris?

-Jamie Epstein & Emma Kansiz

(Photo credit: iStock/imaginima)