FCC proposes new regulation requiring satellites to be de-orbited five years after mission end
The FCC yesterday announced it is considering a new regulation that would require companies to de-orbit defunct satellites in low Earth orbit no more than five years after the satellite’s shut down.
The order, if adopted by commissioners, would require spacecraft that end their missions in or passing through LEO — defined as altitudes below 2,000 kilometers — dispose of their spacecraft through reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere as soon as practicable and no more than five years after the end of the mission. The rule would apply to satellites launched two years after the order is adopted, and include both U.S.-licensed satellites as well as those licensed by other jurisdictions but seeking U.S. market access.
According to the FCC press release [pdf], this new regulation will be discussed at the next public meeting of the commission on September 29, 2022.
Though in general this rule appears a good idea, there are several legitimate objections to it. NASA’s orbital debris office noted that this rule would only reduce space junk by 10%. Others questioned the FCC’s regulatory authority to do this at all, since its main statutory function is not the regulation satellite operations but the use of the frequencies those satellites use.
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The FCC yesterday announced it is considering a new regulation that would require companies to de-orbit defunct satellites in low Earth orbit no more than five years after the satellite’s shut down.
The order, if adopted by commissioners, would require spacecraft that end their missions in or passing through LEO — defined as altitudes below 2,000 kilometers — dispose of their spacecraft through reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere as soon as practicable and no more than five years after the end of the mission. The rule would apply to satellites launched two years after the order is adopted, and include both U.S.-licensed satellites as well as those licensed by other jurisdictions but seeking U.S. market access.
According to the FCC press release [pdf], this new regulation will be discussed at the next public meeting of the commission on September 29, 2022.
Though in general this rule appears a good idea, there are several legitimate objections to it. NASA’s orbital debris office noted that this rule would only reduce space junk by 10%. Others questioned the FCC’s regulatory authority to do this at all, since its main statutory function is not the regulation satellite operations but the use of the frequencies those satellites use.
Readers!
Every February I run a fund-raising drive during my birthday month. This year I celebrate my 72nd birthday, and hope and plan to continue writing and posting on Behind the Black for as long as I am able.
I hope my readers will support this effort. As I did in my November fund-raising drive, I am offering autographed copies of my books for large donations. Donate $250 and you can have a choice of the hardback of either Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8 or Conscious Choice: The origins of slavery in America and why it matters today and for our future in outer space. Donate $200 and you can get an autographed paperback copy of either.
Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. My analysis of space, politics, and culture, taken from the perspective of an historian, is almost always on the money and ahead of the game. For example, in 2020 I correctly predicted that the COVID panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Every one of those 2020 conclusions has turned out right.
Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.
You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:
1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.
2. Patreon: Go to my website there and pick one of five monthly subscription amounts, or by making a one-time donation.
3. A Paypal Donation or subscription:
4. Donate by check, payable to Robert Zimmerman and mailed to
Behind The Black
c/o Robert Zimmerman
P.O.Box 1262
Cortaro, AZ 85652
You can also support me by buying one of my books, as noted in the boxes interspersed throughout the webpage or shown in the menu above.
How does the FCC have jurisdiction? What about things that aren’t communication satellites? The congressionally mandated role is to manage the electromagnetic spectrum, not to run space flight, which is NASA’s job. Is NASA failing in that regard? Are they going to try to take over the Federal Railroad Administration next?
Col Beausabre: Actually, this isn’t NASA’s job either. Based on a variety of Congressional laws, I would say it either falls to the FAA or the Commerce department.
From the FCC website:
“The Federal Communications Commission regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. ”
Are they claiming jurisdiction due to the fact that the EM spectrum is used to communicate with the satellites?
The FCC is effectively interfering in future free market capitalism.
I don’t recall them exerting authority over septic tanks.
Soon they will have authority over our cars since they all will be using the internet and cell systems to drive us around.
De-orbiting space junk is a good thing. Highly recommend the practice. It makes for a good community standard (one doubts the commies actually care about such a standard. Irony).
Government power grab. Mr Z posted something about the FCC a few months ago.
Look for more grabs in the future, as they piecemeal regulatory (never passed by Congress) control for activity above the atmosphere.
How about deorbiting about 90% of the objects otherwise known as FCC government employees? That would be a true and welcome reduction in space junk.
What about the space tug industry?
It might take quite a while to get a nonfunctional satellite refueled or repaired.
And what about any parts that are parked in orbit for later use?
And whats the penalty for a satellite that shuts down unexpectedly and just sits up there tumbling out of control?
This will keep rocket flights more frequent, yes?
“I don’t recall them exerting authority over septic tanks.”
That’s only because septic tanks aren’t on IoT yet.