House Science Committee Leaders Urge Clarity from FCC on Orbital Debris

House Science Committee Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK), Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics Chairman Don Beyer (D-VA), and Ranking Member Brian Babin (R-TX) have sent a letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel regarding the FCC's potential consideration of new regulations for orbital space debris at its upcoming open Commission meeting. The letter is a follow up to a letter sent from the bipartisan leadership of the Science Committee to the FCC in 2020. In the letter, the Committee leaders reassert their concern about the FCC’s proposal and request the Commission postpone consideration of this matter.

"The Commission’s interest in acting alone to regulate orbital debris mitigation, however, poses the potential for creating confusion in an area that has historically been closely coordinated."

Letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.

“As leaders of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, we understand the importance of supporting a safe, sustainable space environment. However, we are concerned that the Commission’s proposal to promulgate rules on this matter could create uncertainty and potentially conflicting guidance,” the Members said in the letter.

Committee Leaders Want U.S. Leadership on the Orbital Debris Issue

"The Commission’s interest in acting alone to regulate orbital debris mitigation, however, poses the potential for creating confusion in an area that has historically been closely coordinated. Within the Federal government, agencies follow U.S. Orbital Debris Mitigation Standards and Practices,4 which are developed through coordination within the Federal government and based on scientific and technical research led by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). In addition, NASA has been charged with reevaluating those standards and action by the FCC at this time could lead to conflicting U.S. guidelines.

“Internationally, NASA has led coordination on space debris mitigation guidelines with other space agencies over several decades," the letter continued. "This U.S. leadership in coordinating orbital debris guidelines provides a strong foundation for leading other areas of space sustainability. Actions on orbital debris mitigation that stand apart from or conflict with Federal government guidelines could lead to confusion that, in effect, undermines, rather than strengthens, national and international efforts to reduce and mitigate the risk of orbital debris.”

(Source: House Science Committee news release. Images from file)