The FCC has adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to modernize satellite and earth station licensing through new rules that establish a “licensing assembly line.” The proposal will completely replace old space licensing rules, creating a new Part 100 that aims to offer greater predictability to operators while streamlining application reviews through defined licensing processes. In addition to proposing to rework its space licensing rules from the ground up, the FCC also proposes to eliminate regulatory hurdles such as surety bond requirements, license terms, and processing rounds. Further, the Commission proposes to update its rules to promote space safety by requiring satellite operators to share space situational awareness data.
