The authorities of deer imposed a fine, the first of its kind, on a satellite television operator for leaving space junk, the US telecommunications regulator was informed.
Operator Dish was fined $150,000 for its failure “very right” and satellite called EchoStar-7, in orbit since 2002, according to a statement from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
“It’s an innovation of space waste regulation of the Commission, which is expanding its efforts to satellites” added the FCC.
- According to the FCC, Dish did not respect the length the commission agreed to set it satellite geostationary reaching the end of its life. This height, subject to agreement, “could cause problems with orbital debris.”
Dish made in 2012 to raise the altitude of satellite at 300 km above its operating trajectory, explains the FCC. But as the fuel level drops, the company limited itself to carrying its satellite 120 km above its path.
Dish has denied the FCC’s claims.
“As recognized by the compliance office of the agreement, the EchoStar-7 satellite “It’s an old device (launched in 2002) that is clearly exempt from FCC regulations that require a little deorbit.” a company spokesperson said in a statement.
“Furthermore, the office has not reached any conclusion that the EchoStar-7 will raise security issues associated with its orbital debris” he added.
According to a special UN agency, there are half a million pieces of debris the size of a marble in orbit and 100 million is about one millimeter.
This debris can be dangerous to the spacecraft.
