Thursday, May 14, 2020

FCC Adopts New Rules on Satellite Debris


The FCC has tightened its rules regarding the mitigation of orbiting satellite debris, but delayed consideration of two elements that had been of particular concern to amateur satellite builders and university researchers. Responding to those concerns, the FCC's Report and Order issued on April 23 increase disclosure requirements for pre-space notifications submitted for amateur satellites, according to the AMSAT News Service and the ARRL, but put off to a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposals regarding indemnification of the U.S. government for damage caused by satellite debris as well as requirements to design future satellites with maneuvering capability in order to avoid on-orbit collisions.