FCC set to create space office as its role in orbit regulation intensifies

The Federal Communications Commission regulates many sectors and practices related to telecommunications and the Internet, but it is now strengthening its role as regulator of space by voting to create an all-new office specialized in the subject.

Bureaus are the divisions of the agency that manage different industry sectors: media, wireless, consumer, etc., as well as law enforcement, etc. They are full of specialists who research and produce the rules and notices promulgated by the FCC.

The new Space Office will handle all matters related to satellite approval, orbital communications, and space debris, among others. These are things the agency was already doing, but now they will have a new, more efficient organization to do them.

"The satellite industry is growing at a record pace, but here on the ground, our licensing regulatory frameworks haven't kept up. We're working to change that," the president said. Jessica Rosenworcel in a statement.

The current International Office is being cannibalized to form it, but it feels more like an upgrade than a disbandment. Although the FCC voted unanimously today to form the new bureau, it will need additional congressional approvals and other paperwork before it's final, but you can bet they're already moving. offices and feed new discussion channels.

Here's how the FCC put it in its order:

As part of this reorganization, the Space Office will promote a competitive and innovative global telecommunications market through space services. To achieve this, the Space Office will undertake policy analysis and rulemaking, as well as licensing satellite systems with the aim of facilitating the deployment of satellite services, streamlining regulatory processes and maximizing flexibility for operators in order to meet customer needs, and to promote the efficient use of spectrum and orbital resources. The Space Office will also serve as a focal point for coordination with other U.S. government agencies on space policy and governance issues, and support the Office of International Affairs for meetings with other countries, international organizations and representatives of foreign governments who involve space policy issues. .

It might sound a bit strange that the FCC regulates space, but it actually makes a lot of sense. The agency is responsible for regulating transmissions, particularly those between states (making it the natural regulator for Internet content), and satellites transmit a lot of data. In fact, with hundreds or thousands more growing every year, it's probably one of the fastest growing sources of data transmission.

While the FAA, NASA and the Pentagon also have their say, when it comes to ensuring that orbital platforms do not interfere with each other or with surface communications, the FCC is the perfect tool for the job. (Although the scope of this work is an open question.)

But until recently, space was a pretty small niche in their work. Now they're submitting satellite approval requests to hundreds of companies and research centers, administering spectrum for networks of thousands of Comsats, and trying to make sure all that wireless traffic doesn't drown out anything. important. Then there's the whole issue of space debris, which is another story. But also important.

Either way, it makes perfect sense for the FCC to set up a space-focused office that, as part of its job, negotiates and cooperates with other countries — the former job of the international office. We'll know more about this as official milestones are reached in the coming months.