Dish Fined for Satellite Disposal Snafu; FCC Calls It 'Breakthrough' Precedent

Dish Network will pay a $150,000 fine for improper disposal of its EchoStar-7 at the satellite's end of life, the FCC Enforcement Bureau ordered Monday. The bureau said Dish disposed of EchoStar-7 in 2022 at 122 km above its operational geostationary orbit instead of the 300 km specified in the debris mitigation plan in Dish's license. It said the satellite had less propellant than Dish estimated, resulting in the lower graveyard orbit. “As satellite operations become more prevalent and the space economy accelerates, we must be certain that operators comply with their commitments,” Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan Egal said: “This is a breakthrough settlement, making very clear the FCC has strong enforcement authority and capability to enforce its vitally important space debris rules.” Dish didn't comment.