A new proposal to shorten how long dead satellites can remain in orbit will go to vote next week.
Some critics, however, argue the FCC’s proposal already falls short of what needs to be done. Speaking withearlier this month, Hugh Lewis, a space debris expert from the University of Southampton, revealed their models employing a five-year decommission window only reduced potential collisions just three or four percent.
In the meantime, it’s clear the FCC sees the current lack in regulation as an opportunity to lead the way forward, Blount argues. “The FCC is using its authority over the licensing of radio-frequency spectrum to impose these requirements on operators, the logic being that debris reduces the efficient use of spectrum,” he says. The proposal is widely believed to be approved by commissioners in a vote scheduled for September 29, at which time the law would go into effect in two years’ time.
“The specter is often raised that the US will disadvantage itself with regulations that other states don’t have… but space debris is a problem that all space operators face, and that the majority of space faring countries are attempting to address in some way,” argues Blount. “…[M]aintaining an open dialogue amongst these countries for seeking rules that best promote sustainability in the space environment.”Andrew Paul is Popular Science's staff writer covering tech news.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
China launches Yunhai-1 03 Earth-observing satellite into orbitYunhai-1 03's predecessor was apparently whacked by a piece of space junk in March 2021.
Read more »
Phantom Space: A new rocket startup says it can launch at half the cost of SpaceX'Our first space launch will occur in less than half the time it took Space X to achieve that milestone,' said Phantom Space CEO Jim Cantrell.
Read more »
U.S. Space Force Releases Official Song, Gets Slammed OnlineThe U.S. Space Force has released its official song ... and something tells us folks aren't loving the new space jam.
Read more »
Hilton teams up with Voyager Space to design astronaut quarters for Starlab stationHilton will partner with Voyager Space to design astronaut quarters on its Starlab commercial space station, the companies announced Tuesday.
Read more »