FCC Chair Proposes New Rules to Mitigate Risk of Accidental Explosions in Space

Washington, D.C. — Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Jessica Rosenworcel has introduced new regulations aimed at reducing the risk of debris-generating accidental explosions in space.

The proposed rules require satellite applicants to assess and limit the probability of such explosions to less than one in a thousand for each satellite they seek approval for.

The probability metric, which aligns with NASA's standard, would apply both during and after the completion of mission operations. Presently, FCC regulations only mandate that satellite licensees affirm they have taken steps to mitigate the risk of debris-generating explosions.

While these incidents are infrequent, Rosenworcel emphasized that specifying a probability metric is crucial for modernizing the FCC's orbital debris rules in response to increasingly crowded orbits.

“We can no longer afford to launch new satellites into our skies without being thoughtful about space sustainability...Our orbital debris mitigation efforts will help preserve the orbital environment to protect services we rely on and allow new services to be launched.” - Jessica Rosenworcel, FCC Chair

The proposed regulations, if approved by a majority of the FCC's five Commissioners, would be implemented one year after being published in the Federal Register. They would apply to applications filed after the rules take effect, as well as those still pending at that time.

This initiative represents a significant step in the FCC's ongoing efforts to ensure the sustainable use of space, reflecting the growing recognition of the importance of maintaining a safe and operational orbital environment for current and future space activities.