FCC Issues Strict New Limit on Space Junk

FCC Issues , Strict New Limit , on Space Junk.
On Sept. 29, the United States Federal Communications
Commission adopted a shorter limit on how
long space junk can be left floating in orbit.
On Sept. 29, the United States Federal Communications
Commission adopted a shorter limit on how
long space junk can be left floating in orbit.
Current policies say that space agencies
and companies can leave space junk
in orbit for 25 years.
'Wired' reports that the FCC just
shortened that limit to five years.
The rule mostly applies to
U.S. companies and doesn't yet
have the force of law behind it. .
“Deorbiting” a satellite means shifting it
to a lower orbit so it can eventually drift
into and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere.
In 2020, the FCC proposed a similar law which
was met with heavy resistance from some
industry and space agency representatives.
In 2020, the FCC proposed a similar law which
was met with heavy resistance from some
industry and space agency representatives.
On September 29, Sankar Persaud
stressed to the commission that , "post-mission disposal is essential
for the mitigation of orbital debris.".
Disposal must be completed
as soon as practicable
but no later than five years
after the end of mission. , Sankar Persaud, FCC electronics engineer, via 'Wired'.
However, the five-year time limit is opposed
by NASA, the European Space Agency and
other parts of the U.S. federal government.
'Wired' reports that orbiting space junk has been amassing
for decades, increasing the risk of debris impacts with
active satellites like OneWeb or SpaceX's Starlink.
'Wired' reports that orbiting space junk has been amassing
for decades, increasing the risk of debris impacts with
active satellites like OneWeb or SpaceX's Starlink