Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has announced a major initiative to reform satellite regulations, designating October as “Space Month” at the agency. Speaking on October 6, Carr outlined plans to streamline licensing and spectrum rules to bolster the U.S. commercial space industry and counter growing competition from China.
The proposed changes aim to replace outdated processes with a more efficient framework, intended to accelerate the deployment of new satellite technologies. The announcement was made during a ceremony at Apex's new satellite manufacturing facility in El Segundo, California.
Key Takeaways
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has initiated “Space Month” to fast-track reforms for satellite and Earth station regulations.
- Two main proposals aim to create a “licensing assembly line” for faster approvals and revise spectrum rules for Earth stations.
- The reforms are driven by geopolitical competition, specifically China's plans for large-scale satellite broadband constellations.
- The initiative aligns with a previous Executive Order directing federal agencies to remove regulatory barriers for the commercial space industry.
A New Framework for Approvals
The core of the FCC's plan involves two significant proposals designed to modernize the regulatory environment. Chairman Carr detailed a vision to move away from the current system, which he described as slow and restrictive.
The Licensing Assembly Line
The first proposal seeks to replace what Carr called a “bespoke licensing process with a licensing assembly line.” This new system would operate on the principle that straightforward applications for satellites and Earth stations are in the public interest and should be eligible for expedited approval.
“We’ll replace a default-to-no at the agency with a default-to-yes framework,” Carr stated, signaling a fundamental shift in the agency's approach to application reviews.
This change is intended to reduce delays and provide greater certainty for companies in the rapidly growing space sector. According to Carr, streamlining efforts since January have already enabled the FCC to process half of the Earth station applications that were pending.
Revising Spectrum and Siting Rules
The second major proposal focuses on revising the siting rules for Earth stations that operate in the upper microwave frequency bands (UMFUS). The goal is to enable more intensive use of valuable spectrum and simplify the approval process for operators.
These changes are part of a broader effort to manage spectrum resources more effectively. Carr also highlighted an ongoing rulemaking process that could free up more than 20,000 megahertz of spectrum for satellite broadband services. Additionally, the agency is reviewing spectrum-sharing rules between geostationary (GEO) and non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite systems.
Outdated Regulations
Chairman Carr identified several key problems with the current FCC framework, stating that it relies on:
- Regulatory assumptions that slow industry growth.
- Database systems unable to handle large-scale applications.
- Overly conservative technical rules that limit coexistence between different satellite systems.
Geopolitical Urgency Drives Reform
The push for regulatory reform is not solely about domestic industry growth. Carr framed the initiative as a critical response to international competition, particularly from China, in what he termed a “Space Race 2.0.”
He emphasized that China is actively developing its own large-scale broadband satellite constellations, which would compete directly with U.S.-based systems like Starlink. This geopolitical context adds a layer of urgency to the FCC's actions.
“Our main competitor in this Space Race 2.0 is the government of China,” Carr said. “They have their eyes set on dominating in low Earth orbit, and, frankly, up and down every orbit.”
Carr warned about the global implications of such a scenario. “A world where the government of China is using its space capabilities to control the access that billions of people across the globe have to data and to information would be a less prosperous and far more dangerous world,” he added.
Alignment with National Policy
The FCC's new proposals are consistent with an August 13 Executive Order signed by then-President Trump. That order directed federal agencies to identify and remove regulatory barriers hindering the commercial space industry. This included reforms related to launch licensing, mission authorization, and environmental reviews. Carr noted that the FCC's actions support the administration's broader “Build America” agenda.
Industry Support and Unanswered Questions
The proposed changes have received positive feedback from industry leaders. Bridgit Mendler, CEO and co-founder of Northwood Space, a California company developing a global network of ground stations, praised the initiative.
Mendler, who is also a former FCC intern, expressed support for updating rules that no longer fit the modern space industry. “There’s a very good audit going on over there,” she told SpaceNews, referring to the agency's efforts to remove or revise outdated regulations.
Despite the clear direction, specific details about the proposals remain limited. The FCC has not yet provided a timeline or clarified how the implementation might be affected by potential U.S. government shutdowns.
However, the overarching message from the agency is one of decisive action. Carr asserted that the current rules “throttle the space economy and they prevent space resources from going to their highest and best use.” He concluded, “It’s clear to me that more reform is needed.” The declaration of “Space Month” signals that these reforms are now a top priority for the commission.