The FCC has adopted a Report and Order instituting new rules for the satellite permitting process in order to meet the growing demands of the commercial space sector. The new rules include new timeframes for notice for public comment on space and earth station applications, flexibility for non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) licenses to have more than one unbuilt system, and streamlining of earth station operators’ requests to add space stations as points of communication. The Report and Order also allows applicants to apply to operate in frequency bands where there is not already an international allocation for satellite services to be provided.
The FCC also adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking requesting public comment on proposals to further improve and streamline space and earth station applications. The proposals include eliminating various procedural burdens, creating a system for temporary operation of non-U.S. licensed space stations that is similar to special temporary authority (STA), and establishing timeframes for actions on the merits of applications.
