The five FCC commissioners voted unanimously during a Jan. 25 meeting to approve an order on reconsideration of rules it adopted in 2020. The order was a response to three petitions from industry seeking changes to the rules and how they are applied to satellite operators. The three petitions are as follows:
(1) Boeing, EchoStar, Hughes Network Services, Planet, Spire and Telesat:
-asked the FCC to reconsider disclosure requirements on maneuverability and other technical aspects of licensed spacecraft that could “excessively encumber” the industry.
-questioned requirements that “diverge substantially” from other U.S. government guidance, like the Orbital Debris Mitigation Standard Practices (ODMSP).
Answer: The FCC concluded that there was nothing in its rules that was “fundamentally inconsistent” from other guidance, and that it had the ability to tailor the guidance of the ODMSP, which is intended only to apply to U.S. government missions. It also dismissed “speculative concerns” about overly burdensome disclosure rules.
(2) SpaceX:
-asked to have the FCC’s rules applied to both U.S. companies licensed by the FCC as well as foreign companies that instead seek market access from the commission.
Answer: The FCC concluded that foreign companies seeking market access must provide supporting documentation to demonstrate they do follow orbital debris mitigation rules, an approach the commission said in its order “provides more flexibility and can serve the public interest better by being less burdensome.”
(3) Amazon's Project Kuiper:
-asked the FCC to include rules that establish orbital separation requirements between large constellations.
Answer: The FCC rejected that request, concluding that coordination among satellite operators remains the “best solution for maintaining space safety” even as satellite constellations proliferate.
Jessica Rosenworcel, the Chairwoman of the FCC, stated that "they are reinforcing their commitment to space sustainability in reaffirming the rules."
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