FCC Wants to Modernize Space Communications for the Twenty-First Century
Published Date: 10/26/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FCC is proposing new rules to update how space communications work, aiming to make satellite services faster, fairer, and ready for the future. This affects satellite companies, especially small businesses, who should get ready to share their thoughts by late November 2026. These changes could speed up approvals and reduce paperwork, helping the space industry grow smarter and stronger.
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 4 costs, 1 mixed.
Stricter orbital debris and trackability proposals
The FCC seeks comment on requiring spacecraft to retain monitoring and collision-avoidance capabilities throughout their orbital lifetime, including end-of-mission, and proposes that satellites operating in MEO or GEO be presumed trackable only if they are 1 meter or larger (not the 10 cm threshold used for LEO).
New consolidated experimental license pathway
The FCC proposes a new, single pathway for space-related experimental licenses so companies can get short-term authorization for testing and proof-of-concept under part 5/part 100. Experimental licenses would generally follow Sec. 5.71 two-year terms (allowing up to five years with justification) and Sec. 5.84 unprotected, non-interference operation; applicants could request conversion to a regular part 100 authorization (likely treated as a major modification and placed on public notice). The FCC also proposes Space Bureau initial processing for these applications and estimates this would save about $66,000 per year in Commission review costs while lowering administrative burdens for applicants.
Redefining earth stations, ESIMs, and UAS rules
The FCC is seeking comments on revising definitions for earth stations, ESIMs, user terminals, and a potential new "Nomadic Terminals" class to better cover consumer devices, IoT, and user terminals. The FNPRM also asks whether unmanned aircraft systems (UAS or drones) should be treated as ESIMs, VMES, a separate consumer-facing category, or otherwise given a pathway to spectrum access without individualized licensing.
Ephemeris data sharing and reporting rules
The FCC adopted a requirement that licensees and market access grantees share ephemeris (satellite position) data and now seeks comment on tightening it. The FNPRM references an eight-hour reporting timeframe encouraged in the Order and asks whether reporting should be more frequent, whether operators engaged in rendezvous/ proximity operations (RPO) should report more often, and whether private ephemeris tracking systems should be certified for compliance.
Inter-satellite links with foreign satellites may need approvals
The FCC seeks comment on how to authorize inter-satellite service links (ISLs) between U.S.-licensed satellites and non-U.S.-licensed satellites. Options include requiring a market access grant for the foreign system, a modification filing, a simple notification, or a lighter-touch certification, and whether to restrict communications by the foreign system's country of license.
Possible expansion of full frequency reuse rules
The FNPRM asks whether the existing requirement for state-of-the-art full frequency reuse (now required in Sec. 100.211(d) for bands including 3600-4200 MHz and 10.7-12.7 GHz) should be expanded to require full frequency reuse for all Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS) and Broadcast-Satellite Service (BSS) operations in FSS/BSS-allocated bands. The Commission asks commenters whether technical limits or other reasons counsel against broadening the rule.
Hosted space-station licensing flexibility under review
The Order adopted hosted space-station changes limited to U.S.-licensed hosted payloads on U.S.-licensed hosts; the FNPRM seeks comment on whether to extend the framework to non-U.S.-licensed hosted/hosted arrangements, allow U.S. licensees to add non-U.S.-licensed hosted payloads via notification, and permit flexible licensing models for software-defined payloads (including whether separate frequency-specific licenses could be issued).
Option to merge NGSO call signs
The FCC seeks comment on allowing non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite operators to combine satellites now operating under multiple call signs into a single NGSO satellite system under one call sign. Current licenses issued before part 100 would not be changed automatically; licensees could request consolidation if they want to reduce the number of licenses they must maintain.
Potential streamlined modification for RF sensing
The FCC seeks comment on whether adding or changing a space station's RF sensing capabilities could be handled via a minor modification or simple notification instead of a major modification application. Some commenters argue these changes pose little interference risk, but the FCC did not adopt that change and is asking for more record.
Nationwide non-site license waiver questions
The FCC adopted a Nationwide, Non-Site license but limited waivers in the Order; the FNPRM asks whether applicants should be allowed to request waivers (other than U.S. Table of Frequency Allocations waivers) to secure Nationwide, Non-Site licenses and whether any routine waivers could be pre-authorized. Commenters are asked to provide examples of waivers that might be appropriate.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-21810, Petition for Reconsideration of Action in Rulemaking Proceeding
Harold Feld and Public Knowledge have asked the FCC to rethink its recent decisions about how the 3.7 to 4.2 GHz band is used, especially the Upper C-band. This affects companies and consumers relying on wireless services in that frequency range. If you want to speak up, you’ve got until November 10, 2026, to file your opposition, and November 20 to reply—so don’t miss your chance!
Next: 2026-21820, Modernizing the Ability of Consumers To Control Robocalls
The FCC wants to make it easier for you to stop robocalls by updating the rules that control them. They’re asking for ideas on speeding up how fast companies must stop calling after you say “no,” adding two-way texting options, and making it simpler to block all calls at once. If you want to share your thoughts, you’ve got until November 25, 2026, so get ready to speak up!