With the FCC, the company admitted liability for its EchoStar-7 satellite.

A space junk is an object in orbit around the Earth that is no longer in use and has a high risk of colliding with other objects.

Satellites and parts of spacecraft are considered space debris.

Dish’s satellite poses a potential risk to other satellites orbiting the Earth at its current altitude, according to the FCC.

During its first launch in 2002, Dish’s EchoStar-7 was in geostationary orbit, which begins at 22,000 miles (36,000km) above the Earth’s surface.

At the end of its life in 2022, dish was only able to move the satellite 76 miles from Earth after losing fuel.

“As satellite operations become more prevalent and the space economy accelerates, we must ensure operators follow their commitments,” said Loyaan Egal, head of the FCC’s enforcement bureau.

This settlement makes it very clear that the FCC has strong enforcement authority and capability to enforce its vitally important space debris rules.”

A $150,000 fine represents a tiny portion of Dish’s 2022 revenue, which was $16.7 billion.

According to Dr Megan Argo, senior lecturer in astrophysics at the University of Central Lancashire, the fine may still affect other satellite operators.

“The fact that they’ve used their regulatory powers for the first time is certainly likely to make the rest of the industry sit up and pay attention,” said Dr Argo.