Satellite Industry Lobbying FCC Against Orbital Debris Post-Mission Bonds

The satellite industry opposes the FCC orbital debris Further NPRM proposal of post-mission disposal bonds (see 2004230040). Satellite Industry Association members told International Bureau staffers the post-mission bond wouldn't be an improvement on existing industry incentives to ensure a safe space environment, but it would incentivize operators seeking "alternative, less burdensome licensing jurisdictions" overseas, per a docket 18-313 ex parte posting Thursday. Joining SIA were Boeing, Eutelsat, SES, SpaceX, Spire, ABS, Planet, EchoStar/Hughes, Lynk, Amazon, Iridium, Telesat, Intelsat, Blue Origin, AT&T, Inmarsat, Astranis and Lockheed Martin. They also said the FCC lacks legal authority for its indemnification proposal, which also is vague and unclear and could send operators to other nations for satellite authorizations. In a separate call with the bureau, EchoStar/Hughes representatives said the indemnification and bond proposals will create costly barriers to entry, and the bond requirement idea "is a solution in search of a problem," since the agency hasn't identified a compliance issue with its current orbital debris requirements.