John Paul M. Joaquin Tech 04.13.2023 01:Apr AM EDT

FCC To Modernize Satellite Regulations With New Space Bureau

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants to update the rules on Satellites and orbital debris.

The government agency recently announced that it had established a new bureau to modernize its satellite and orbital debris rules and regulate the number of satellites orbiting Earth.

The FCC previously approved a new satellite deorbiting rule due to the previous guidelines being too long for the space industry to grow.

FCC Space Bureau Details

The FCC mentioned in a statement that its chairwoman, Jessica Rosenworcel, established the government agency's space-focused bureau not just to modernize the US' satellite and orbital debris rules, but to also interface with its international counterparts, quickly respond to the rising demand for new satellites entering Earth's orbit, and "much more."

The establishment of the Space Bureau, along with its sister organization, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, means that the International Bureau now ceases to exist, with the two bureaus replacing the now-defunct one.

Rosenworcel appointed Julie Kearney as the Space Bureau's first-ever chief; she previously joined the government agency as Senior Counsel to help lead the transition between the International Bureau and the two sister bureaus. Learney previously worked in the private sector for communications companies such as Twilio, Loon (AAlphabet), and National Public Radio.

While Rosenworcel didn't mention why the FCC felt the need to break about its International Bureau and form the Space Bureau and its sister bureau, Space.com's report mentioned that the FCC is trying to quickly respond to a fast-changing space environment.

"There are now so many new technologies in the space industry, so many new applications pending before this agency, and so many more innovations on the horizon," the FCC chairwoman said during the Kickoff event celebrating the establishment of the two bureaus. "but I don't think this agency can keep doing things the old way and thrive in the new."

The publication mentioned that private companies are launching more and more satellites in the past few years, increasing the risk of collisions between satellites in orbit. Case in point, Space News mentioned that the government agency has an application backlog for 60,000 new satellites targeting low Earth orbit.

The FCC's Attempt To Regulate Space Debris

The establishment of the two bureaus is part of the FCC's efforts to regulate the number of satellites in space and limit the potential amount of space debris already floating in space. You may recall that the FCC previously approved a new satellite deorbiting rule that would require low-Earth orbit satellite operators to deorbit them within five years of completing their mission or as soon as it's practicable.

According to Rocenworcel's statement at the time, the previous one that required satellites to be deorbited by 25 years is too long, and there is no reason to wait that long anymore, especially in low Earth orbit.

the new 5-year rule would also mean more accountability for satellite operators and fewer risks of collisions that increase orbital debris and the possibility of communication failures in space.