International Affairs
Washington Updates: FCC’s new satellite licensing process
Written by: Jeff Gardner
What You Need to Know:
- The FCC overhauls its satellite licensing process.
- The department that houses the UK Space Agency is dissolved.
- Amazon signals its intent to join the direct-to-device market.
United States Space Policy Updates
The FCC has adopted a new licensing process that will allow spacecraft to enter orbit more quickly. Credit: NASA
- The FCC adopts an overhaul of its space and earth station. Described as a “licensing assembly line,” the new process promises to massively accelerate the rate at which spacecraft are allowed into orbit. The FCC described the move as an effort to remove outdated regulations to support America’s vibrant commercial space economy. (FCC, July 22)
- NASA confirms plans to conduct a second stage hot fire test of Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch vehicle at Stennis Space Center, following the New Glenn explosion at Cape Canaveral in May. (NASA, July 24)
- NASA technicians completed fueling the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope ahead of a planned Aug. 30 launch. (NASA, July 27)
- NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev return to Earth after a 241-day mission to the International Space Station. (NASA, July 26)
- Space Force awards $287 million to Sphinx Defense to deliver connectivity for national leadership and strategic forces. (USSF, July 27)
International Space Policy Updates
The United Kingdom as seen from the International Space Station. The latest restructuring of the U.K. government changes the U.K. Space Agency’s oversight. Credit: NASA
- The United Kingdom announces that the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), which houses the U.K. Space Agency, is being dissolved. DSIT’s responsibilities will instead be split into other national bodies, such as the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade. It has not been announced how this reorganization will affect the U.K. Space Agency. (Payload, July 22)
- The French aerospace research agency selects Belgium’s Advanced Mechanical and Optical Systems to build a telescope for the French Air and Space Force.
(European Spaceflight, July 22) - China successfully launches a Long March 3B rocket despite a lightning strike. (SpaceNews, July 24)
- ESA commits $74 million to the development and flight of the Mission for Advanced Geophysics and Polar Ice Exploration (MAGPIE), Europe’s first lunar polar ice exploration rover, led by ispace-Europe. (ispace, July 24)
Space Industry Updates
The view from an Amazon Leo satellite overlooking the Earth.
Credit: Amazon
- Amazon Leo is aiming to join the direct-to-device market. The company proposed a constellation of up to 5,105 satellites that would beam directly to smartphones, providing services outside of areas within reach of traditional cell networks. If approved by the FCC, satellites may begin deployments beginning in 2028. (Reuters, July 27)
- Intel debuts a new chip for space computing. (SpaceNews, July 27)
- Rocket Lab will establish a new launch site at the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska. (SpaceNews, July 27)
- SpaceX Starship achieves its “softest splashdown” ever after deploying Starlink satellites. (Space.com, July 24)
- Sidus Space names Alan Khalili as Chief Financial Officer. (Sidus Space, July 24)