FCC Issues Strict New Limit on Space Junk

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.

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“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