FCC Fines Dish Network $150,000 for Improper Satellite Disposal

FCC announced $150,000 settlement with Dish Network for failing to properly dispose of EchoStar-7 satellite
Dish admitted liability and agreed to pay fee in FCC's first penalty related to space debris
FCC called agreement a "breakthrough" as satellite launches increase and space economy accelerates
Dish planned to move EchoStar-7 to disposal orbit in 2022 but found it lacked fuel to reach location
Satellite was retired 122 km from operating orbit instead of 300 km away as Dish had agreed in debris mitigation plan

cnbc.com

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10/2/2023

FCC Fines Dish Network $150,000 for Satellite Disposal Violation, A First

Satellite television company Dish Network has been fined $150,000 by the Federal Communications Commission for improper disposal of a satellite, marking the first time such a penalty has been issued, as space debris continues to pose a risk to satellite operators.