Commission goes on to pass 5-year satellite deorbit rule.
Prior to a vote by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on setting a 5-year deadline to deorbit low Earth orbit satellites, the House Science Committee questioned the agency’s authority to do so. The House committee wrote to request that the FCC delay consideration of the proposal and work to receive Congressional approval before implementing such a rule.
“As we stated in 2020, regulatory action by the FCC at this time, without clear authority from Congress, will at the very least create confusion and undermine the Commission’s work, and at worst undermine U.S. economic competitiveness and leadership in space,” the congressional letter stated.
The FCC proceeded to pass the rule on deorbiting the satellited after the completion of their missions, either as soon as possible or within five years. The FCC said, “The new rules shorten the decades-old 25-year guideline for deorbiting satellites post-mission, taking an important step in a new era for space safety and orbital debris policy.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For FCC Chair Rosenworcel as she heads the commission and oversees rules changes.
- For NASA Administrator Nelson to be discerning as he leads the agency for space exploration.
- For members of the House Science Committee as they seek to maintain an organized approach to federal space maintenance.
Sources: Ars Technica, SpaceNews
