US FCC Exempts Space Activities from Environmental Reviews

On September 30, the US Federal Communications Commission voted to exempt the space activities it regulates from reviews mandated under the National Environmental Policy Act, in a decision that removes an entire category of federal reviews for licensed space operations under its oversight. These reviews were a mandatory step in the path of any space project seeking a license.

The vote also made over 1,000 MHz of spectrum available to the sector, expanding the capacity available for satellite operations and space communications, as reported by SpaceNews on September 30. Spectrum is a finite resource distributed among telecommunications operators, satellite companies, and government entities, making any expansion highly valuable to the industry.

The National Environmental Policy Act requires federal agencies to evaluate environmental impacts before approving major projects. Licensed space operations were subject to these reviews prior to the new decision, which in some cases lengthened the approval process. These reviews are intended to assess a project's impact on the environment and natural resources prior to granting final approval.

Satellite operators and launch companies in the US market stand to benefit from the change, as it eliminates a regulatory hurdle that slowed down some projects and adds extra spectrum at a time of growing demand for space communications and satellite-based services. Demand for spectrum is rising as the number of satellites in low Earth orbit multiplies, making it one of the most competitive resources in the sector.

What do these terms mean?

National Environmental Policy Act: A US law requiring federal agencies to evaluate the environmental impact of major projects. Radio Spectrum: The range of electromagnetic waves used for broadcasting and communications. Megahertz: A unit for measuring bandwidth equal to one million cycles per second.