FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Introduces New Spectrum Rules for Commercial Space Launches

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel shared with her colleagues final rules to ensure spectrum certainty for communications services used during commercial space launches. As private companies have assumed a vital role in the launch and operation of space satellites, scientific exploration, and transportation of astronauts both for public and commercial purposes, they need access to reliable and predictable wireless communications services and these new rules, if adopted by a vote of the full FCC, will make that resource available. The rules would adopt a new allocation in the 2025 to 2110 MHz band for space operations on a secondary basis, expand the spectrum available for commercial space operations on secondary basis in the 2200 to 2290 MHz band from four channels to the entire band, and adopt licensing and technical rules for space launch operations. It also directs the Office of Engineering and Technology to issue a public notice opening a new docket for comments on the expanded federal use of the non-federal satellite bands. They would also amend the allocation for the 399.9 to 400.05 MHz band to permit the deployment of Federal space stations. This proposal also includes a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which would take further comment to inform possible further actions.