The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) seeks comment on a notice of proposed rulemaking in which it would allocate spectrum for non-federal launch operations.
Background. Many commercial launches today take place from federal launch sites such as the U.S. Space Force’s Cape Canaveral or NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. Historically, those facilities provide spectrum allotted to the federal government to its users, including commercial launch providers. Now, the FCC is taking steps
towards establishing a spectrum allocation and licensing framework that will provide regulatory certainty and improved efficiency and that will promote innovation and investment in the United States commercial space launch industry. In the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission seeks comment on the definition of space launch operations, the potential allocation of spectrum for the commercial space launch industry, including the 420–430 MHz, 2025–2110 MHz, and 5650–5925 MHz bands. In addition, the Commission seeks comment on establishing service rules, including licensing and technical rules and coordination procedures, for the use of spectrum for commercial space launch operations. Finally, the Commission seeks to refresh the record on potential ways to facilitate Federal use of commercial satellite services in what are currently non-Federal satellite bands and enable more robust federal use of the 399.9–400.05 MHz band.
Don’t forget that the FCC publishes summaries in the Federal Register. Find its full text Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking here. You’ll want to read both.
Comments due: July 12, 2021
Reply comments due: August 9, 2021