Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: One was killed, another injured in a raid by an Israeli drone on the city of Khiam in South Lebanon
London views possibility of setting fire to tanker in port of friendly country to Russia to damage port infrastructure, initiate an international probe: Moscow
One of London's scenarios involves setting up accident with 'undesirable' tanker in one of the bottlenecks of maritime communications: Russian foreign intelligence agency
London plans to organize major sabotage with tankers to declare transportation of Russian oil to international shipping: Russian foreign intelligence agency
UK intelligence agencies plan to use NATO allies to launch massive raid on 'Shadow Fleet': Russian foreign intelligence agency
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.

Unprecedented space debris penalty: US fines dish network

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News Websites
  • 3 Oct 2023 08:30
3 Min Read

Dish Network has been fined $150,000 for failing to properly dispose of a satellite and violating the FCC's anti-space debris rule.

  • x
  • Electro Optic Systems (AFP via Getty Images)
    Electro Optic Systems digital image. (AFP via Getty Images)

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced that it had imposed its initial penalty on a company for breaching its anti-space debris regulation, The Guardian reported.

Dish Network has been fined $150,000 by the commission for neglecting to bring down its EchoStar-7 satellite, which has been in space for over twenty years. Rather than following the correct procedure for de-orbiting the satellite, Dish placed it in a "disposal orbit" at a lower altitude, creating a risk of orbital debris.
 
In a statement that disclosed the Dish settlement, Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan A. Egal said: “As satellite operations become more prevalent and the space economy accelerates, we must be certain that operators comply with their 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,” Egal added.

Back in 2002, Dish Network placed the satellite into geostationary orbit, which is situated at around 22,000 miles (36,000km) above the Earth's surface. In 2012, the company committed to an orbital debris management plan that stipulated that after finishing its mission, the EchoStar-7 satellite would be relocated to a "graveyard orbit," located 186 miles (300km) above its operational position, ensuring it wouldn't pose a threat to other active satellites.

Related News

Trump ties US states' disaster funding to support for Israeli firms

Russia ends self-imposed ban on INF-class missile deployments

However, in 2022, Dish Network discovered that the satellite had depleted its propellant reserves and wouldn't have sufficient fuel to maneuver the satellite to its planned location. Consequently, the satellite was only able to reach an altitude of 76 miles (122 km) above the areas where active geostationary orbits are situated, which is 178 km below its intended destination.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has expressed an increasing worry about space debris, which they broadly define as non-functional artificial objects orbiting Earth. They emphasize that the longer old debris remains in orbit, the more challenging it becomes for new satellites to initiate and successfully conclude their missions.

In response to this concern, in 2022, the FCC implemented a regulation that mandates satellite operators to remove their satellites within five years of completing their missions.

In a 2022 statement that accompanied the announcement of the rule, FCC chair Jessica Rosenworcel said: "Right now there are thousands of metric tons of orbital debris in the air above – and it is going to grow.”

“We need to address it. Because if we don’t, this space junk could constrain new opportunities,” he added.

Read next: China will launch 12,992 satellites into orbit to rival SpaceX

  • United States
  • TV satellite
  • Space

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS