The FCC 5-Year Deorbit Rule: What Every Satellite Operator Needs to Know
The FCC now requires LEO satellites to deorbit within 5 years of end-of-life. Here's how the rule works, who it affects, and how to comply.
In September 2022, the FCC adopted a landmark rule reducing the post-mission orbital lifetime for LEO satellites from 25 years to 5 years. This is the most significant regulatory change affecting satellite operators in a decade. Here's what you need to know.
The Rule
FCC Report and Order 22-74 requires that all satellites in or passing through LEO must be deorbited within 5 years after the end of their mission. Key details:
- Applies to: All new FCC licenses and market access grants issued after the effective date (September 2024)
- Retroactive: No. Existing licensed constellations are grandfathered under the 25-year guideline
- International scope: Applies to any satellite serving the US market, regardless of where it's licensed
- Compliance: Operators must demonstrate a specific deorbit plan in their application
Who It Affects
- New constellations: Any new constellation filing with the FCC must include propulsion or design-for-demise ensuring 5-year deorbit
- CubeSats and smallsats: Many CubeSats historically lacked propulsion and relied on natural orbital decay. At altitudes above ~500 km, natural decay exceeds 5 years; these missions now need propulsion or lower orbits
- Modification applications: If an existing constellation files a modification (adding satellites, changing orbits), the new satellites must comply
How to Comply
- Active propulsion: The most reliable approach. Include a propulsion system capable of lowering the perigee to ensure reentry within 5 years. Electric propulsion (Hall-effect or electrospray) is increasingly affordable for smallsats
- Low-altitude deployment: Deploy below ~400 km where natural atmospheric drag ensures deorbit within 5 years without propulsion. Trade-off: more frequent station-keeping burns during mission life
- Drag augmentation: Deployable drag sails or balloon devices that increase cross-sectional area after end-of-mission. Less proven than propulsion but lower cost and mass
- Design for demise: While not directly related to the 5-year rule, the FCC also requires operators to demonstrate their satellite will completely burn up during reentry (or demonstrate an acceptably low casualty risk)
Track compliance requirements at SpaceNexus Compliance Hub.
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