Colorado-based space startup Sierra Space is nearing completion of its Dream Chaser spaceplane, which is designed to return to Earth after space travel. The company aims to deliver cargo to the ISS and plans to complete its first uncrewed test flight by April 2023.
The FCC has fined Dish Network $150,000 for not properly disposing of its retired satellite, highlighting concerns about space debris. Dish Network admitted liability for leaving the EchoStar-7 satellite at a disposal orbit below the required elevation. The FCC’s enforcement action marks its first related to space debris. This settlement demonstrates the agency’s authority in enforcing space debris rules and emphasizes the importance of operators complying with their commitments. The issue of space debris has prompted NASA to explore solutions, such as TransAstra’s Flytrap capture bag, to mitigate the risks associated with space junk.