Both AMSAT and the ARRL have filed comments on an
FCC proposal intended to address the growing issue of reducing the amount of
debris in orbit. This debris poses risks to both satellites and manned space
missions. The ARRL Letter reports
that AMSAT claims the proposed rules would have "an extremely detrimental
effect on both the Amateur Satellite Service and AMSAT's ability to launch and
operate new satellites." AMSAT notes that amateur satellites typically
have a longer lifespan than other small satellites and that this should be
taken into account in crafting the rules. It also objected to a proposed
altitude limit for low-Earth orbit satellites that it said would have made it
impossible to launch several amateur satellites with elliptical orbits that
otherwise meet the proposed standards.
The ARRL, commenting separately, said that while
it supports efforts to reduce debris in orbit, the FCC "must tailor its
regulations for the Amateur Satellite Service" and not "inadvertently
impair (its) vitality by applying rules crafted for commercial satellite
services."
Another sticking point is a proposed rule that
would require licensees of amateur satellites to indemnify the U.S. government against
any claims against it as a result of satellite operations. AMSAT says this
would make it financially impossible for it or any other US entity to launch
and operate amateur satellites. The ARRL agreed with this assessment in its
comments.
