Key Takeaways
- • The FCC is seeking public comment on expanding and improving spectrum access for commercial and federal space launch, reentry, recovery, and on-orbit activities, with comments due September 14, 2026 and reply comments due September 24, 2026.
- • President Trump issued a National Space Transportation Policy Presidential Memorandum on August 20, 2026, directing the FCC to coordinate with relevant agencies to ensure reliable spectrum access for space activities and deliver a report within 180 days on achieving "spectrum abundance."
- • Current spectrum allocations total 215 MHz across three bands (2025-2110 MHz, 2200-2290 MHz, and 2360-2395 MHz), but all are secondary to incumbent services; with approximately 200 annual launches and anticipated growth, the FCC seeks input on whether primary or co-primary allocations are warranted.
- • The Commercial Space Federation has petitioned the FCC to replace the existing AFTRCC frequency coordinator framework with a modern database-assisted light-licensing system for coordination in the 1435-1535 MHz, 2360-2395 MHz, and 5091-5150 MHz bands.
- • The FCC is soliciting comment on coordination improvements, ancillary spectrum needs (including potential interference from uncrewed surface vessels and uncrewed aircraft systems), launch cadence projections, geographic scope requirements, and whether additional spectrum bands should be made available.
Summary
The Federal Communications Commission has initiated a public comment period on enhancing spectrum access for the rapidly expanding commercial space launch industry. Issued on August 27, 2026, the FCC's Public Notice seeks stakeholder input on multiple facets of spectrum policy affecting space launch and reentry operations. The action follows President Trump's August 20 National Space Transportation Policy Presidential Memorandum, which directed the FCC to coordinate with relevant federal agencies to ensure reliable spectrum access and deliver a report within 180 days on achieving "spectrum abundance" for commercial and federal space activities.
The current regulatory framework provides space launch operators access to 215 MHz of spectrum distributed across three bands: 2025-2110 MHz, 2200-2290 MHz, and 2360-2395 MHz. However, all three allocations are designated as secondary to incumbent federal and non-federal services, creating potential constraints as launch activity accelerates. The FCC notes that approximately 200 launch activities occur annually, with demand projected to increase substantially. The agency is exploring whether primary or co-primary spectrum rights are appropriate and whether additional bands should be allocated to support future growth. The Public Notice also addresses coordination procedures, seeking comment on streamlining interactions with federal users through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and non-federal users through the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council (AFTRCC).
The FCC is also evaluating a petition filed by the Commercial Space Federation requesting replacement of the current AFTRCC frequency coordinator framework with a modern database-assisted light-licensing system. The CSF proposal would eliminate Part 87 frequency advisory committee requirements and implement a streamlined coordination process for the 1435-1535 MHz, 2360-2395 MHz, and 5091-5150 MHz bands. Additionally, the FCC seeks comment on ancillary spectrum impacts, specifically addressing potential harmful interference from uncrewed surface vessels and uncrewed aircraft systems operating in maritime or aerospace environments.
These regulatory developments reflect broader FCC modernization efforts undertaken since September 2023, when the Commission first adopted non-federal secondary allocations for Space Operation and established the Part 26 licensing framework. The NTIA's April 2026 launch of its Space Launch Frequency Coordination Portal replaced legacy email-based coordination procedures with a streamlined digital system. The current proceeding represents the administration's effort to align spectrum policy with commercial space industry growth. Stakeholders have until September 14, 2026, to file comments, with reply comments due September 24, 2026.
The current regulatory framework provides space launch operators access to 215 MHz of spectrum distributed across three bands: 2025-2110 MHz, 2200-2290 MHz, and 2360-2395 MHz. However, all three allocations are designated as secondary to incumbent federal and non-federal services, creating potential constraints as launch activity accelerates. The FCC notes that approximately 200 launch activities occur annually, with demand projected to increase substantially. The agency is exploring whether primary or co-primary spectrum rights are appropriate and whether additional bands should be allocated to support future growth. The Public Notice also addresses coordination procedures, seeking comment on streamlining interactions with federal users through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and non-federal users through the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council (AFTRCC).
The FCC is also evaluating a petition filed by the Commercial Space Federation requesting replacement of the current AFTRCC frequency coordinator framework with a modern database-assisted light-licensing system. The CSF proposal would eliminate Part 87 frequency advisory committee requirements and implement a streamlined coordination process for the 1435-1535 MHz, 2360-2395 MHz, and 5091-5150 MHz bands. Additionally, the FCC seeks comment on ancillary spectrum impacts, specifically addressing potential harmful interference from uncrewed surface vessels and uncrewed aircraft systems operating in maritime or aerospace environments.
These regulatory developments reflect broader FCC modernization efforts undertaken since September 2023, when the Commission first adopted non-federal secondary allocations for Space Operation and established the Part 26 licensing framework. The NTIA's April 2026 launch of its Space Launch Frequency Coordination Portal replaced legacy email-based coordination procedures with a streamlined digital system. The current proceeding represents the administration's effort to align spectrum policy with commercial space industry growth. Stakeholders have until September 14, 2026, to file comments, with reply comments due September 24, 2026.
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