FCC
Report calls on government agencies to better coordinate spectrum
An interagency dispute about the use of a spectrum band for weather forecasting versus terrestrial wireless services illustrates the need for the federal government to reform its spectrum management processes, a report concluded.
Op-Ed | Who wants to step up to a $10 billion risk?
A proposed satellite constellation would be registered in Papua New Guinea, which has not stepped up to accept specific international responsibility or liability for the activities of commercial entities it has licensed.
Lynk files FCC license application for initial direct-to-cellphone satellite system
Lynk, a startup developing a constellation of satellites to provide connectivity for mobile phones, has filed a license application with the Federal Communications Commission to operate an initial set of satellites.
SpaceX outlines first orbital Starship test flight
SpaceX has disclosed details for the first orbital test flight of its next-generation Starship launch system, but the company is still far short of the regulatory approvals needed for the mission.
FCC approves Starlink license modification
The FCC approved a modification of SpaceX’s license for its Starlink constellation, allowing the company to operate more than 2,800 additional satellites in lower orbits.
SpaceX and OneWeb spar over satellite close approach
An alleged close approach between satellites from OneWeb and SpaceX led to a meeting between the companies and the FCC, but the companies don’t completely agree on what resulted from that discussion.
FCC proposes to allocate spectrum for commercial launches
The Federal Communications Commission will take up a long-awaited proposal at its next meeting to set aside a spectrum band for commercial launches.
Umbra advertises SAR imagery with 15-centimeter resolution
Radar satellite startup Umbra plans to capture imagery with a resolution as high as 15 centimeters per pixel thanks to a Federal Communications Commission license.
FCC C-band auction raised nearly $81 billion so far
The U.S. Federal Communication Commission’s C-band auction of 280-megahertz of C-band has raised nearly $81 billion and it’s not quite over.
OneWeb slashes size of future satellite constellation
OneWeb says it’s drastically reducing the size of a proposed next-generation satellite constellation originally envisioned to have nearly 48,000 satellites.
FCC grants permission for polar launch of Starlink satellites
The Federal Communications Commission will allow SpaceX to launch 10 Starlink satellites into polar orbit on an upcoming mission, but deferred a decision on a much broader modification of SpaceX’s license.
Viasat asks FCC to perform environmental review of Starlink
Viasat has petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to perform an environmental review of SpaceX’s Starlink broadband constellation, arguing that the satellite system poses environmental hazards in space and on Earth.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to leave agency in January
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, who oversaw the agency's work to streamline space-related regulation, announced plans to leave the agency Jan. 20, 2021.
C-band bonanza bails out sluggish year for satellite orders
With an eye toward the FCC’s 2023 deadline, Intelsat and SES went on a shopping spree. But the C-band bonanza isn’t likely to be repeated anytime soon.
FCC approves OneWeb sale as Starlink begins public beta
The Federal Communications Commission approved the sale of OneWeb to the British government and Bharti Global Oct. 27, as rival SpaceX started a public beta test of its Starlink system.
Satellites eligible for FCC’s $9 billion 5G Fund for Rural America
The Federal Communications Commission approved the creation Oct. 27 of a 5G Fund for Rural America to distribute as much as $9 billion over the next decade to extend 5G wireless broadband connectivity to rural communities.
Interview | FCC Chairman Pai on RDOF, megaconstellations, debris rules and C-band auction
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai talks orbital debris rules, megaconstellations, C-band auction, Ligado and more with SpaceNews.
SpaceX, Hughes and Viasat qualify to bid for $20.4 billion in FCC rural broadband subsidies
SpaceX, Hughes Network Systems and Viasat are eligible to compete for a share of the $20.4 billion in broadband subsidies the FCC plans to dole out under the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund starting later this month.
Space debris a frequent topic at Satellite Innovation 2020
Tracking and avoiding the growing debris field in low Earth orbit was clearly on the minds of speakers on the first day of the Satellite Innovation 2020 conference.
Intelsat taps Maxar for fifth C-band satellite, capping order spree
Intelsat has signed a satellite contract with Maxar Technologies, placing the final order in a one-time surge in manufacturing deals triggered by the Federal Communications Commission’s upcoming C-band spectrum auction.
