FCC Unlocks Airwaves for Rocket Launches: Space Biz Takes Off
Published Date: 3/7/2025
Rule
Summary
The FCC is opening up new radio frequencies for commercial space launches, making it easier and safer for private companies to blast off. They’re adding the 2360-2395 MHz band to the mix and setting clear rules for licenses and frequency use to avoid interference with important government flights. These changes kick in soon and help space businesses grow without messing up critical communications.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New 2360–2395 MHz Band Opened
The FCC reallocates the 2360–2395 MHz radio band on a secondary basis for Space Operation, adding it to the frequencies available for commercial space launches alongside the 2025–2110 MHz and 2200–2290 MHz bands.
Part 26 Licensing Rules Extended
The FCC incorporates the 2360–2395 MHz band into its existing part 26 space launch regulatory framework, so the band is subject to the same space launch licensing and frequency coordination rules that apply to the 2025–2110 MHz and 2200–2290 MHz bands.
Technical Protections for Flight Testing
The FCC incorporates technical rules to protect critical Federal and non‑Federal flight testing operations so that commercial space radio use in the LCA bands does not interfere with important flight tests.
WTB Licensing & Coordination Procedures Apply
The FCC confirms that licensing, registration, frequency coordination, and frequency coordinator selection procedures — to be refined by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau on delegated authority — will apply to the LCA bands (2025–2110 MHz, 2200–2290 MHz, and 2360–2395 MHz).
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-13998 — Facilitating Implementation of Next Generation 911 Services (NG911); Improving 911 Reliability
The FCC is making 911 services smarter and more reliable by upgrading to Next Generation 911 (NG911), which uses internet technology to handle calls, texts, videos, and data. This change affects emergency call centers and service providers, who must follow new rules to keep 911 working smoothly and share info across networks. The new rules start August 10, 2026, and aim to prevent outages while encouraging innovation without extra hassle or costs.
2026-13999 — Facilitating Implementation of Next Generation 911 Services (NG911); Improving 911 Reliability
The FCC wants to make 911 calls smarter and more reliable by making sure different 911 systems can talk to each other across states. They’re also exploring cool tech like video calls to help more people reach emergency services. If you’re involved in 911 services, get ready to test these upgrades and share your thoughts by August and September 2026.
2026-13995 — Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking the public and small businesses to share their thoughts on how to make paperwork easier and less time-consuming. They want to keep collecting important info but reduce the hassle, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. Comments are open until August 10, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to help shape the process!
2026-13874 — Enhancing Know-Your-Upstream-Provider Requirements and Strengthening STIR/SHAKEN (Call Authentication Trust Anchor; Advanced Methods To Target and Eliminate Unlawful Robocalls)
The FCC is stepping up the fight against annoying robocalls by making phone companies better at checking who they get calls from and improving call ID protections. These new rules will affect voice service providers, requiring them to verify their partners and follow stricter caller ID standards to stop fake calls. Comments on these changes are open until August 10, 2026, so the public can weigh in before the rules take effect.
2026-13873 — Advancement of the Low Power Television, TV Translator and Class A Television Service
The FCC just gave the green light to new rules that affect low power TV stations, TV translators, and Class A TV services. These changes update how these stations report info, starting July 9, 2026, making things clearer and smoother. If you run or work with these stations, get ready for some new paperwork—but no big costs or penalties if you follow the new rules!
2026-13724 — Information Collection Being Submitted for Review and Approval to Office of Management and Budget
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is asking the public and other agencies to comment on a paperwork update that aims to make things easier, especially for small businesses with fewer than 25 employees. They want to reduce the hassle of filling out forms and need approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to keep collecting this info. Comments are due by August 7, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to weigh in!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-03556 — Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery; 2025-2026 Biennial Specifications and Management Measures; Inseason Adjustments
This update lets commercial fishers catch more of the healthy groundfish off the West Coast while keeping the weaker fish safe. It affects fishing rules for 2025-2026, helping balance good fishing with smart conservation. These changes kick in during the fishing season to keep things fair and sustainable without extra costs.
Next: 2025-03464 — Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedures for Compressors
The government is pushing back the start date for new testing rules on compressors to give everyone more time to get ready. They want to hear from folks about whether to delay it even more and how that might affect things. If you make or use compressors, this delay could save you some stress and maybe some money while the rules get sorted out.