Actually, the newly-proposed FCC rules would require fail-safe deorbit systems when operating above 550 km and below 2000 km. Above 550 km, most stuff takes mor

Actually, the newly-proposed FCC rules would require fail-safe deorbit systems when operating above 550 km and below 2000 km. Above 550 km, most stuff takes more than 25 years to deorbit, and the NGSO volume below 2000 km is considered the most useful (and thus most likely to get crowded). These fail-safe systems should be designed to cause the satellite to deorbit within 25 years of activation. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-18-159A1.pdf https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-18-159A1.pdf The FCC hasn't proscribed exactly what these look like (that's implementation), but electrodynamic tethers would seem likely.