https://spacewatch.global/tag/fcc/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Sat, 11 Apr 2026 20:44:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/tag/fcc/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/04/spacewatchgl-opinion-the-legal-frontier-of-space-based-data-centres-jurisdictional-challenges-in-the-orbital-economy-part-2/ Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=72792
Written by Pankaj Mehta
Data sovereignty encounters fundamental conceptual challenges in space. When data physically exists on hardware orbiting outside any nation’s territorial bounds, it becomes unclear which sovereignty principles apply.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/04/spacewatchgl-opinion-the-legal-frontier-of-space-based-data-centres-jurisdictional-challenges-in-the-orbital-economy-part-1/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=72781
Written by Pankaj Mehta
The convergence of artificial intelligence and space infrastructure has catalysed an unexpected development: major technology companies are racing to establish data centres in orbit.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/12/kepler-formally-shifts-strategy-for-optical-data-relay-network/ Mon, 02 Dec 2024 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=62622 Kepler Communications has petitioned for changes with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to consolidate its constellation size to better suit the updated optical data relay infrastructure.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/07/hps-receives-esa-co-financing-for-adeo-dragsails/ Thu, 04 Jul 2024 06:00:07 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=55938 Space-related technologies should be clean and sustainable to ensure access to space will remain possible for future generations. This topic, which is currently a top priority of space policy, has led to several technical solutions which are now available on the market, with the ADEO deorbit system from HPS leading the way. With recognition even from NASA, the ADEO dragsails ensure already before launch that satellites will not turn into space debris at the „end-of-business“. Instead, they re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/10/fcc-takes-first-space-debris-enforcement-action/ Wed, 04 Oct 2023 06:00:20 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=51504 The Federal Communication Commission (FCC)’s Enforcement Bureau has announced a settlement of its investigation into DISH for failure to properly deorbit its EchoStar-7 satellite. This marks a first in space debris enforcement by the Commission. The settlement includes an admission of liability from the company and an agreement to adhere to a compliance plan and pay a penalty of $150,000.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/01/fcc-votes-to-establish-space-bureau-and-office-of-international-affairs/ Mon, 16 Jan 2023 07:00:04 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=46023 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an Order adopting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel’s plan to establish a Space Bureau and Office of International Affairs. The reorganization will better support the needs of the growing satellite industry, the FCC said.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/12/spacex-launches-54-gen2-starlink-satellites/ Thu, 29 Dec 2022 07:00:24 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=45697 SpaceX successfully launched 54 of Starlink’s new generation of satellites into low Earth orbit on a record-setting 60th flight of the year and the eleventh launch and landing for the Falcon 9 first stage booster. SpaceX conducted 31 launches in 2021.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/12/spacex-to-provide-gen2-starlink-satellite-connectivity-to-t-mobile-phones/ Thu, 08 Dec 2022 07:00:09 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=45350 SpaceX is planning to use its second-generation Starlink satellites for its  Coverage Above and Beyond connectivity project with T-Mobile smartphones, according to an application the company filed with the FCC.  T-Mobile and SpaceX announced their Coverage Above and Beyond plan to provide coverage in most places in the US, including many previously unreachable remote locations.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/11/fcc-chairwoman-rosenworcel-announces-plan-for-a-space-bureau/ Fri, 04 Nov 2022 07:00:48 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=44575 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, announced a plan to reorganize the agency to better support the needs of the growing satellite industry, promote long-term technical capacity at the FCC, and navigate 21st century global communications policy, the FCC said.  Under the plan, the FCC’s International Bureau will be reorganized into a Space Bureau and a standalone Office of International Affairs.  ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/10/fcc-approves-five-year-orbital-debris-rule/ Wed, 05 Oct 2022 06:00:04 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=43744 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved a rule to shorten the time frame in which satellite operators should deorbit their low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, the FCC announced. The new rule states that operators now have five years instead of 25, to safely deorbit their defunct spacecraft.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/08/fcc-rejects-starlink-application-for-us-900-million/ Thu, 11 Aug 2022 06:00:31 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=42650 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rejected LTD Broadband and Starlink’s applications for support through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) program, causing the companies to lose out on US $1.3 billion and US $900 million respectively. The FCC made the decision based on the conclusion that the providers failed to demonstrate that they could deliver the promised services.  ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/07/oneweb-backs-starlinks-5g-interference-warning/ Fri, 15 Jul 2022 06:00:15 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=42159 OneWeb has asked the FCC to reject satellite broadcaster Dish Network’s and spectrum holder RS Access’ proposal to run two-way mobile services in the 12 GHz band. OneWeb sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) backing Starlink’s concern about terrestrial 5G interference with satellite broadband networks. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/07/starship-booster-test-ends-in-fire/ Wed, 13 Jul 2022 06:00:34 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=42091 SpaceX’s first orbital Starship vehicle’s booster test ended in an anomalous fire originating from the base of the vehicle. The pad was cleared of personnel at the time of the fire, no injuries were reported. Super Heavy Booster 7 was tested at SpaceX’s Starbase complex at Boca Chica, Texas. SpaceX was planning on conducting a spin start test of the engines, which did not involve ignition.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/07/fcc-authorizes-starlink-to-provide-internet-on-boats-planes-and-trucks/ Mon, 04 Jul 2022 06:00:13 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=41939 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave authorization to SpaceX to provide Starlink satellite internet services to vehicles in motion including boats, planes and trucks. Starlink’s low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation provides high-speed internet globally. The approximately 2,700 satellites are utilized by over 400,000 subscribers already.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/06/space-cafe-webtalk-33-minutes-with-jennifer-manner-the-critical-role-of-satellite-networks-in-5g-and-beyond-ecosystems-recap/ Tue, 21 Jun 2022 07:00:24 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=41653 Our Space Café WebTalk “33 minutes with Jennifer Manner - The Critical Role of Satellite Networks in 5G and Beyond Ecosystems” took place on Tuesday, 14th June. Our guest was Jennifer A. Manner, a Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at EchoStar Corporation/Hughes Network Systems where she is responsible for the company’s domestic and international regulatory and policy issues,]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/05/fcc-grants-experimental-license-to-spacemobile/ Tue, 10 May 2022 06:00:55 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=40869 Startup AST SpaceMobile, announced it has received an experimental license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supporting its US-based testing of the BlueWalker 3 satellite. The company is building the first space-based cellular broadband network designed to be accessible directly by standard mobile phones, SpaceMobile said.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/04/delta-air-lines-test-starlink-internet-for-planes/ Wed, 20 Apr 2022 06:00:57 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=40518 Satellite internet company Starlink is testing its wireless internet services on Delta Air Lines’ airplanes. The Atlanta-based airline said they had been in discussions with Starlink, and conducted initial tests of the technology. SpaceX Starlink CEO Elon Musk, said that the company was aiming to get certified for Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 planes as well.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/02/spacewatchgl-opinion-space-sustainability-is-not-passive/ Thu, 10 Feb 2022 09:00:20 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=39086 On November 14th of last year, Russia deliberately destroyed one of its satellites as a test of a new anti-satellite weapon (ASAT). According to a US State Department press briefing, “this test has so far generated over fifteen hundred pieces of trackable orbital debris and will likely generate hundreds of thousands of pieces of smaller orbital debris.”]]> https://spacewatch.global/2021/11/telesat-astra-and-hughes-request-3-new-mega-constellations/ Fri, 05 Nov 2021 07:00:20 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=37007&preview=true&preview_id=37007 A cornucopia of satellites and a run on V-band: Telesat, Astra and Hughes filed requests to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to place and operate altogether nearly 17,000 small satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), the companies´ FCC filings revealed.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2021/04/fcc-accepts-to-modify-spacexs-starlink-license/ Wed, 28 Apr 2021 06:00:14 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=32313&preview=true&preview_id=32313 Luxembourg, 28 April 2021. – The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) in the U.S. accepted to modify SpaceX’s Starlink license in the low Earth orbit (LEO), the commission said. Subject to a couple of conditions, the FCC granted SpaceX to change the primary operational altitude for 2814 satellites from the original 1100 to 1300 kilometer range to the new 540 to 570 kilometer range.]]>