The Federal Communications Commission is seeking comments on proposed satellite licensing changes that would allow broader operating permissions and establish a more specific process for experimental space activities. The Federal Register notice, published October 26, 2026, sets November 25 as the comment deadline and December 28 as the deadline for replies.
The consultation concerns a further notice of proposed rulemaking adopted July 22 and released July 23. It seeks public input on additional changes; the proposals are not final licensing requirements.
Broader Operating Permissions
One proposal concerns authorizing a range of satellite activities within defined operating limits. This approach would give an operator permission to conduct activities within an approved scope instead of requiring a separate licensing action for every adjustment covered by that permission.
The practical question is how to define those limits. An authorization would still need to identify the activities and technical conditions it covers. Changes outside that scope would remain a separate regulatory matter.
The commission also requests comments on experimental licensing for space activities. Its questions address the relationship between experimental authorizations under Part 5 and the satellite licensing framework, including the conditions under which experimental operations could proceed without interference protection.
Experimental Operations and Replacement Satellites
The notice discusses experimental authorizations lasting two years, with the possibility of terms extending to five years. Operations authorized on an unprotected, noninterference basis would not receive the same protection from other radio services as protected operations.
Other questions concern consumer devices communicating with satellites and the treatment of replacement geostationary satellites. These topics address different parts of the licensing process: permissions for the space system, the devices using it, and the continuity of service when a spacecraft is replaced.
New Space Economy’s coverage describes the consultation within the commission’s satellite licensing proceeding. Comments submitted under docket 25-306 can address the proposed permissions, their technical conditions, and how the commission should administer them.
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