The Federal Communications Commission has issued its first space debris enforcement fine, following its tightening of regulations on space debris last year. 

DISH Networks was fined $150,000 for failing to properly de-orbit its EchoStar-7 satellite. It had drawn up a plan in 2012 which was approved by the FCC, to bring the satellite to an orbit 300km above the orbit it was operating in, once the satellite reached the end of its mission. However, the satellite had run out of propellant which meant it couldn't reach the orbit required.

FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan Egal said this "is a breakthrough settlement, making very clear the FCC has strong enforcement authority and capability to enforce its vitally important space debris rules."