In a 4-0 vote Thursday, the FCC adopted new rules requiring operators of satellites in low-Earth orbit to “dispose” of them no less than five years after completing their missions. “For years, it has been the recommended practice for satellite operators to deorbit their spacecraft within 25 years of completing their missions. There is no reason to wait that long anymore, especially in low-Earth orbit,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in the meeting. As of 2021, there were more than 4,800 operational satellites in orbit, most of which were low-Earth orbit satellites. Experts have warned that the hundreds of thousands of pieces of space debris circling the planet threaten functioning satellites, including the International Space Station.

Source: The Guardian October 01, 2022 02:31 UTC