Sec.  25.283   End-of-life disposal.

   (a) Geostationary orbit space stations. Unless otherwise explicitly
   specified in an authorization, a space station authorized to operate in the
   geostationary satellite orbit under this part shall be relocated, at the end
   of its useful life, barring catastrophic failure of satellite components, to
   an orbit with a perigee with an altitude of no less than:

   36,021 km + (1000 ·C[R ·]A/m)

   where C[R] is the solar pressure radiation coefficient of the spacecraft,
   and A/m is the Area to mass ratio, in square meters per kilogram, of the
   spacecraft.

   (b) A space station authorized to operate in the geostationary satellite
   orbit under this part may operate using its authorized tracking, telemetry
   and control frequencies, and outside of its assigned orbital location, for
   the purpose of removing the satellite from the geostationary satellite orbit
   at the end of its useful life, provided that the conditions of paragraph (a)
   of this section are met, and on the condition that the space station's
   tracking, telemetry and control transmissions are planned so as to avoid
   electrical interference to other space stations, and coordinated with any
   potentially affected satellite networks.

   (c) All space stations. Upon completion of any relocation authorized by
   paragraph (b) of this section, or any relocation at end-of-life specified in
   an authorization, or upon a spacecraft otherwise completing its authorized
   mission, a space station licensee shall ensure, unless prevented by
   technical failures beyond its control, that all stored energy sources on
   board the satellite are discharged, by venting excess propellant,
   discharging batteries, relieving pressure vessels, and other appropriate
   measures.

   (d) The minimum perigee requirement of paragraph (a) of this section shall
   not apply to space stations launched prior to March 18, 2002.

   [ 69 FR 54588 , Sept. 9, 2004]