SWF PREPRINT Echostar-7_AILA
Authors:Tanja Masson-Zwaan & Posting date:March 18, 2024 |
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Abstract
The October 2023 enforcement decision by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) signifies a historical benchmark in the enforcement of space sustainability measures over private commercial space actors. Echostar-7, a commercial satellite launched in 2002 and operating at the Earth’s Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO), provided direct broadcast telecommunications services to the US consumer market. Its operator, DISH Operating LLC failed to properly boost the spacecraft to a disposal ‘graveyard’ orbit above GEO as required as part of its governmental licence. An investigation by the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau resulted in a Consent Decree with Dish, whereby Dish accepted liability, agreed to pay a penalty fine of 150,000 USD, and agreed to submit and adhere to a compliance plan regarding the proper disposal of the Echostar-7 spacecraft.
Keywords
Echostar, Enforcement, FCC, Federal Communications Commission, Space Debris, Space Sustainability
Citation
Tanja Masson-Zwaan, Christopher D. Johnson, 'Article: Echostar-7: The US Imposes First-Ever Fine for Failure to Comply with Deorbiting Plan', (2024), 49, Air and Space Law, Issue 2, pp. 243-248, https://kluwerlawonline.com/JournalArticle/Air+and+Space+Law/49.2%20[pre-publication]/AILA2024017
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