FCC Approves 5 Year Satellite Deorbiting Rule
> <i>The rule shortens the time required for satellite operators to deorbit LEO satellites to no more than 5 years after completing their mission, from 25 years.</i><p>De-orbiting faster means reserving more propellant for the final de-orbit burn.   Since the lifespan of satellites is already generally determined by how much propellant they have, this new rule effectively reduces the lifespan of any satellite high enough to require a de-orbit burn.<p>Companies that use very low satellites are impacted less, since atmospheric drag does more of the work.