NASA or the FAA would seem a more obvious choice for regulating space debris than the FCC.

Sure, it would seem more obvious, but that's the federal government. Why are the NPS and BLM under the DOI but USFS is under the USDA? Tons of USFS land borders NPS and BLM so it seems like one department in charge would make sense...

> Why are the NPS and BLM under the DOI but USFS is under the USDA?

Because forestry is agriculture with trees as the crop. While USFS lands are often used by the public recreationally in the same way as parks, they have a fundamentally different purpose that aligns exactly with the different government departments they are part of.

How do you fit the BLM in the mix then? Tons of grazing happens on BLM land. Quarries, mines, and oil/gas wells happen on both USFS and BLM land. Recreation happens on both. It seems like one agency administrating public lands makes more sense.

Different agencies results in different responses to the same problems, for example, white nose syndrome affecting bats in caves.

I'm going to guess NASA didn't want it or wasn't trusted to do so. They're rocket scientists, not trash men / women.

The FAA does planes.

It's like - I'm guessing - the FCC got it because the first non-gov satellites were for comms. It's not likely the Luddites in Washington DC would have anticipated the situations we have today.

> The FAA does planes.

They also oversee the launch and reentry of space vehicles, amongst numerous other roles.

https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/as...

But when did that role begin?

The ITU has been around since 1865. Hence the FCC's involvement.