Dish Network Fined $150,000 by FCC for Failure to Properly Dispose of Aging Satellite

The U.S. government issued its first-ever fine against Dish Network for failing to properly dispose of an aging satellite. Dish agreed to pay a $150,000 penalty.
Dish launched the EchoStar-7 satellite in 2002. The company later filed a plan to move it to a safe orbit after mission end.
In 2022, Dish found the satellite had little fuel left and couldn't reach the planned disposal orbit. It retired the satellite much lower than planned.
The FCC said Dish violated regulations and its license terms. Dish said the satellite posed no debris concerns.
The fine comes as the FCC ramps up efforts against space junk. The agency sees it as a growing threat with more satellites launching.

usatoday.com

Relevant topic timeline:

10/2/2023

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

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has reached a settlement with Dish Network for failing to properly dispose of a satellite, marking the FCC's first penalty related to space debris.

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