Launch Communications Act

Bill: 118-hr-682
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]
Introduced: 2023-01-31
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Aviation and airports

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Intergovernmental relations

Radio spectrum allocation

Space flight and exploration

Spacecraft and satellites

Telephone and wireless communication
Latest action: action_date: 2023-07-26
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-01-31
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Launch Communications Act</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to facilitate access to specified broadband spectrum frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries.</p> <p>Under current law, commercial missions launching from the United States to space must use government-owned spectrum to communicate with the rockets during launch, and private companies must apply to the FCC to receive special temporary authority to use such spectrum. On June 28, 2021, the FCC issued a final rule adopting a nonfederal secondary allocation of the 2200-2290 megahertz frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum for use during commercial space launches and reentries.</p> <p>The bill requires the FCC to adopt service rules for access to additional frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries and complete associated rulemaking activities (e.g., those that set technical specifications and eligibility requirements) to implement the allocation of the frequencies.</p> <p>The FCC must also streamline the process for access authorizations, providing for (1) authorizations to access specified frequencies for multiple commercial space launches and reentries from one or more launch or reentry sites, (2) authorizations for multiple uses of such frequencies for a commercial space launch or reentry, (3) automation of the FCC's review process for access applications, and (4) increased coordination between the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to speed the review of such applications.</p>

action_date: 2023-07-25
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><strong>Launch Communications Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to facilitate access to specified broadband spectrum frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries.</p><p>Under current law, commercial missions launching from the United States to space must use government-owned spectrum to communicate with the rockets during launch, and private companies must apply to the FCC to receive special temporary authority to use such spectrum. On June 28, 2021, the FCC issued a final rule adopting a nonfederal secondary allocation of the 2200-2290 megahertz frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum for use during commercial space launches and reentries.</p><p>The bill requires the FCC to adopt service rules for access to additional frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries and complete associated rulemaking activities (e.g., those that set technical specifications and eligibility requirements) to implement the allocation of the frequencies.</p><p>The FCC must also streamline the process for access authorizations to provide for (1) authorizations to access specified frequencies for multiple commercial space launches and reentries from one or more (federal or private) launch&nbsp;sites, (2) authorizations for multiple uses of such frequencies for a commercial space launch or reentry, (3) automation of the FCC's review process for access applications, and (4) improved coordination between the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to speed the review of such applications.</p>

tv_txt: IIB 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 682 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 26, 2023 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation AN ACT To facilitate access to electromagnetic spectrum for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Launch Communications Act . 2. Access to spectrum for commercial space launches and reentries (a) Service rules; allocation (1) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall complete any proceeding in effect as of such date of enactment related to the adoption of service rules for access to the frequencies described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries, including technical specifications, eligibility requirements, coordination procedures to preserve the Nation’s defense capabilities, and the allocation on a secondary basis of the frequencies described in subsection (c). (2) Coordination with National Telecommunications and Information Administration The coordination procedures adopted under paragraph (1) shall include requirements for persons conducting commercial space launches and commercial space reentries to coordinate with the Assistant Secretary regarding access to the frequencies described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries. (b) Streamlining of process for granting authorizations Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall issue new regulations to streamline the process for granting authorizations for access to the frequencies described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries so as to provide for— (1) authorizations that include access to such frequencies for multiple commercial space launches from one or more Federal space launch sites and multiple commercial space reentries to one or more Federal space launch sites; (2) authorizations that include access to such frequencies for multiple commercial space launches from one or more private space launch sites and multiple commercial space reentries to one or more private space launch sites; (3) authorizations that include access to multiple uses of such frequencies for commercial space launch or commercial space reentry; (4) automation of the processes of the Commission to review applications for authorizations for access to such frequencies for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries; and (5) improved coordination by the Commission with the Assistant Secretary (who shall coordinate with the heads of such other Federal agencies as the Assistant Secretary considers appropriate) to increase the speed of review of applications for authorizations for access to such frequencies for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries. (c) Frequencies described The frequencies described in this subsection are the frequencies between 2025 and 2110 megahertz, between 2200 and 2290 megahertz, between 2360 and 2395 megahertz, and between 5650 and 5925 megahertz. (d) Rules of construction (1) Frequency ranges Each range of frequencies described in this section shall be construed to be inclusive of the upper and lower frequencies in the range. (2) Special temporary authority Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize or require elimination or limitation of, or any amendment to, or otherwise to affect, special temporary authority, as provided for by section 1.931 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Assistant Secretary The term Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. (2) Commercial space launch The term commercial space launch means a launch licensed under chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code. (3) Commercial space reentry The term commercial space reentry means a reentry licensed under chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code. (4) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission.

Passed the House of Representatives July 25, 2023. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 682 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To facilitate access to electromagnetic spectrum for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Launch Communications Act . 2. Access to spectrum for commercial space launches and reentries (a) Service rules; allocation (1) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall complete any proceeding in effect as of such date of enactment related to the adoption of service rules for access to the frequencies described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries, including technical specifications, eligibility requirements, coordination procedures to preserve the Nation’s defense capabilities, and the allocation on a secondary basis of the frequencies described in subsection (c). (2) Coordination with National Telecommunications and Information Administration The coordination procedures adopted under paragraph (1) shall include requirements for persons conducting commercial space launches and commercial space reentries to coordinate with the Assistant Secretary regarding access to the frequencies described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries. (b) Streamlining of process for granting authorizations Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall issue new regulations to streamline the process for granting authorizations for access to the frequencies described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries so as to provide for— (1) authorizations that include access to such frequencies for multiple commercial space launches from one or more Federal space launch sites and multiple commercial space reentries to one or more Federal space launch sites; (2) authorizations that include access to such frequencies for multiple commercial space launches from one or more private space launch sites and multiple commercial space reentries to one or more private space launch sites; (3) authorizations that include access to multiple uses of such frequencies for commercial space launch or commercial space reentry; (4) automation of the processes of the Commission to review applications for authorizations for access to such frequencies for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries; and (5) improved coordination by the Commission with the Assistant Secretary (who shall coordinate with the heads of such other Federal agencies as the Assistant Secretary considers appropriate) to increase the speed of review of applications for authorizations for access to such frequencies for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries. (c) Frequencies described The frequencies described in this subsection are the frequencies between 2025 and 2110 megahertz, between 2200 and 2290 megahertz, between 2360 and 2395 megahertz, and between 5650 and 5925 megahertz. (d) Rules of construction (1) Frequency ranges Each range of frequencies described in this section shall be construed to be inclusive of the upper and lower frequencies in the range. (2) Special temporary authority Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize or require elimination or limitation of, or any amendment to, or otherwise to affect, special temporary authority, as provided for by section 1.931 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Assistant Secretary The term Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. (2) Commercial space launch The term commercial space launch means a launch licensed under chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code. (3) Commercial space reentry The term commercial space reentry means a reentry licensed under chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code. (4) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission.

Passed the House of Representatives July 25, 2023. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 124 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 682 [Report No. 118–156] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 31, 2023 Mr. Soto (for himself and Mr. Dunn of Florida ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce July 25, 2023 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 31, 2023 A BILL To facilitate access to electromagnetic spectrum for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Launch Communications Act . 2. Access to spectrum for commercial space launches and reentries (a) Service rules; allocation (1) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall complete any proceeding in effect as of such date of enactment related to the adoption of service rules for access to the frequencies described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries, including technical specifications, eligibility requirements, coordination procedures to preserve the Nation’s defense capabilities, and the allocation on a secondary basis of the frequencies described in subsection (c). (2) Coordination with National Telecommunications and Information Administration The coordination procedures adopted under paragraph (1) shall include requirements for persons conducting commercial space launches and commercial space reentries to coordinate with the Assistant Secretary regarding access to the frequencies described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries. (b) Streamlining of process for granting authorizations Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall issue new regulations to streamline the process for granting authorizations for access to the frequencies described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries so as to provide for— (1) authorizations that include access to such frequencies for multiple commercial space launches from one or more Federal space launch sites and multiple commercial space reentries to one or more Federal space launch sites; (2) authorizations that include access to such frequencies for multiple commercial space launches from one or more private space launch sites and multiple commercial space reentries to one or more private space launch sites; (3) authorizations that include access to multiple uses of such frequencies for commercial space launch or commercial space reentry; (4) automation of the processes of the Commission to review applications for authorizations for access to such frequencies for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries; and (5) improved coordination by the Commission with the Assistant Secretary (who shall coordinate with the heads of such other Federal agencies as the Assistant Secretary considers appropriate) to increase the speed of review of applications for authorizations for access to such frequencies for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries. (c) Frequencies described The frequencies described in this subsection are the following: (1) The frequencies between 2025 and 2110 megahertz, between 2200 and 2290 megahertz, between 2360 and 2395 megahertz, and between 5650 and 5925 megahertz. (2) Any additional frequencies identified by the Commission (in coordination with the Assistant Secretary, in the case of potential impact to Federal spectrum use) as necessary to conduct commercial space launches and commercial space reentries. (d) Rules of construction (1) Frequency ranges Each range of frequencies described in this section shall be construed to be inclusive of the upper and lower frequencies in the range. (2) Special temporary authority Nothing in this section may be construed to authorize or require elimination or limitation of, or any amendment to, or otherwise to affect, special temporary authority, as provided for by section 1.931 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Assistant Secretary The term Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. (2) Commercial space launch The term commercial space launch means a launch licensed under chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code. (3) Commercial space reentry The term commercial space reentry means a reentry licensed under chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code. (4) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission.

July 25, 2023 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 682 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 31, 2023 Mr. Soto (for himself and Mr. Dunn of Florida ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To facilitate access to electromagnetic spectrum for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Launch Communications Act . 2. Access to spectrum for commercial space launches and reentries (a) Service rules; allocation (1) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall— (A) complete any proceeding in effect as of such date of enactment related to the adoption of service rules for access to the frequencies described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries, including technical specifications, eligibility requirements, and coordination procedures to preserve the Nation’s defense capabilities; and (B) allocate on a secondary basis such frequencies for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries. (2) Coordination with National Telecommunications and Information Administration The coordination procedures adopted under paragraph (1)(A) shall include requirements for persons conducting commercial space launches and commercial space reentries to coordinate with the Assistant Secretary regarding access to the frequencies described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries. (3) Limitation Access to the frequencies described in subsection (c) under the service rules adopted under paragraph (1)(A), and the allocation of such frequencies under paragraph (1)(B), shall be limited to the use of such frequencies for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries. (b) Streamlining of process for granting authorizations Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall issue new regulations to streamline the process for granting authorizations for access to the frequencies described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries so as to provide for— (1) authorizations that include access to such frequencies for multiple commercial space launches from one or more space launch sites and multiple commercial space reentries to one or more reentry sites; (2) authorizations that include access to multiple uses of such frequencies for commercial space launch or commercial space reentry; (3) automation of the processes of the Commission to review applications for authorizations for access to such frequencies for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries; and (4) improved coordination by the Commission with the Assistant Secretary (who shall coordinate with the heads of such other Federal agencies as the Assistant Secretary considers appropriate, which may include the Secretary of Defense) to increase the speed of review of applications for authorizations for access to such frequencies for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries. (c) Frequencies described The frequencies described in this subsection are the following: (1) The frequencies between 2025–2110 MHz, 2200–2290 MHz, 2360–2395 MHz, and 5650–5925 MHz. (2) Any additional frequencies identified by the Commission (in coordination with the Assistant Secretary, in the case of potential impact to Federal spectrum use) as necessary to conduct commercial space launches and commercial space reentries. (d) Rule of construction Each range of frequencies described in this section shall be construed to be inclusive of the upper and lower frequencies in the range. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Assistant Secretary The term Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information. (2) Commercial space launch The term commercial space launch means a launch licensed under chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code. (3) Commercial space reentry The term commercial space reentry means a reentry licensed under chapter 509 of title 51, United States Code. (4) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Communications Commission.