Polaris IntelligencePolaris Intelligence
InformationOrganizationsSpacecraftMissionsConstellationsLaunch VehiclesLocations
© Polaris Intelligence 2025Admin

U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

US
gov civilFounded 1934
Washington, United States
Admin Edit

Verified facts grounded in source documentation.

The FCC established a standalone Space Bureau in 2024 to help process applications for more than 60,000 new satellites, mostly in low Earth orbit.

NARRATIVE GENERAL11/8/2024Ex-Google exec attracts financial backers for LEO megaconstellation

CRSRA identified emerging communications methods not currently licensed by the FCC, including optical communications systems that do not use radio-frequency spectrum managed by the FCC.

NARRATIVE GENERAL3/7/2024Office of Space Commerce considers restoring orbital debris regulations for commercial remote sensing licensees

SpaceX intends to launch a commercial direct-to-cellular service with partner T-Mobile later 2024 and will start comprehensive tests before submitting results to the FCC.

NARRATIVE GROWTH2/20/2024Forrester’s Digest: Intelsat + FAST channels — Iridium — AST SpaceMobile — SpaceX

In a 2023-12-14 letter to the Federal Communications Commission, SpaceX requested that the FCC make clear the intention of WRC-23 that radio regulations can be updated in 2027 and sought correction of record misrepresentations that could delay updates.

NARRATIVE GENERAL12/15/2023Satellite transmission power battle drags on after WRC-23

USEI provides C-band spectrum services as frequency protection at the Brewster Earth Station to satellite operators after the FCC opened most of the CONUS C-band to 0.005 kg services.

NARRATIVE GENERAL9/7/2023US Electrodynamics, Inc. (USEI) appoints new leadership positions

Verizon spent $45,000,000,000 to acquire the largest share of C-band frequencies in the FCC’s 2020 auction.

NARRATIVE GENERAL8/14/2023Intelsat meets conditions for $3.7 billion C-band clearing payout

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the proposed framework was approved by all four FCC commissioners on 2023-03-16.

NARRATIVE GENERAL3/17/2023FCC unveils proposed satellite direct-to-device regulatory framework

An order approved by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission in September 2022 requires spacecraft licensed by the FCC or seeking U.S. market access to deorbit within five years.

NARRATIVE GENERAL1/20/2023ESA seeks global adoption of “zero debris” policy

The FCC determined that its partial authorization for 7,500 Gen2 satellites does not increase the total number of satellites SpaceX is authorized to deploy compared to prior authorizations and slightly reduces that total.

NARRATIVE GENERAL12/2/2022FCC grants partial approval for Starlink second-generation constellation

SpaceX no longer plans to deploy a 2022-09-07,518-satellite V-band system that had previously been authorized by the FCC.

NARRATIVE GROWTH12/2/2022FCC grants partial approval for Starlink second-generation constellation

SES plans to deploy two more satellites by early next year to remain on pace to claim the maximum FCC C-band clearing payout.

NARRATIVE GROWTH10/5/2022SES closer to $4 billion payout after ULA launch to near-geostationary orbit

SpaceX asserted in a 2022-06-21 letter to the Federal Communications Commission that its Starlink broadband network would become unusable for most Americans if a proposal to use the 12 GHz band for terrestrial 0.005 kg is approved.

NARRATIVE GENERAL6/21/2022SpaceX warns 5G plan would deny Starlink to most Americans

SpaceX has deployed more than half of the 4,408 first-generation Starlink satellites that the FCC approved to operate at altitudes of around 550 km.

NARRATIVE GENERAL5/2/2022‘Mounting evidence’ shows need for Starlink Gen 2 environmental review, says Viasat

Current FCC rules tie how NGSO operators share frequencies to factors that include when an NGSO system is first launched and capable of operating in the frequency band under consideration.

NARRATIVE GENERAL1/27/2022Connecting the Dots | Getting satellite regulation up to speed

The FCC’s proposed rulemaking initially seeks to strengthen spectrum rights for NGSO constellations that were awarded licenses or U.S. market access authority ahead of others.

NARRATIVE GENERAL1/27/2022Connecting the Dots | Getting satellite regulation up to speed

SpaceX has launched more than half of the 4,408 satellites that the FCC has authorized for deployment to around 550 km altitude.

NARRATIVE GENERAL1/10/2022SpaceX goes all-in on Starship configuration for second-gen Starlink

Intelsat expects to receive $4,870,000,000 of accelerated relocation payments in connection with the C-band spectrum clearing project, with $1,200,000,000 of that total already approved by the Federal Communications Commission for anticipated receipt in January.

NARRATIVE GENERAL12/17/2021Forrester’s Digest: An Unusual Move For SpaceX / Virgin Orbit Investments / Intelsat Creditor Settlements

Telesat does not expect to deploy 50% of its currently-authorized satellites prior to the FCC’s 50% deadline of 2023-11-03.

NARRATIVE GROWTH11/10/2021Telesat to become a public company next week amid Lightspeed delay

Intelsat and SES hold the largest share of the 500 MHz C-band in the U.S. and will receive $4,900,000,000 and $3.97 billion, respectively, under the FCC’s plan.

NARRATIVE GENERAL6/17/2021SES seeks speedier summary judgment in C-band case against Intelsat

SpaceX is seeking FCC permission to modify its existing license to lower the orbits of 2,825 satellites authorized by that license from altitudes above 1,0 m to about 550 km.

NARRATIVE GENERAL4/22/2021SpaceX and OneWeb spar over satellite close approach
Page1of2