✦ UNIVERSO FACILE
EARTH
DISTANCE FROM THE SUN148,033,195 kmInterpolated estimate · NASA

SPACE ENVIRONMENT · SATELLITES

The EchoStar-7 penalty and the problem of orbital debris

In 2023 the US Federal Communications Commission concluded a case involving an end-of-life satellite. It illustrates why managing orbits matters.

Model-based visualisation of orbital debris; not a photograph · Credit: NASA Orbital Debris Program Office · Source record ↗
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What happened to EchoStar-7?

According to the FCC order of 2 October 2023, DISH placed EchoStar-7 122 km above its operational geostationary orbit instead of the 300 km specified in its authorised plan. The 122 km is measured relative to that orbit; it is not the satellite’s altitude above Earth’s surface.

An agreement and a penalty

In the order, the company admits it did not comply with its licence conditions, agrees to a compliance plan and a $150,000 civil penalty. The FCC reports that in 2022 the available propellant was found to be insufficient to reach the planned disposal orbit.

Why does orbital debris matter?

Defunct satellites and fragments can endanger spacecraft and astronauts. Impact speeds can be extremely high; monitoring and disposal strategies suited to different orbits help reduce the risk.