Earth’s horizon captured from the International Space Station above Western Australia on the coast of Shark Bay. Photo: NASA

The FCC is kicking off its new transparency initiative for satellite applicants and plans to have an open house to take questions next week on Nov. 1. This is part of a transparency initiative to give satellite applicants information to help them file and support industry engagement with the FCC. 

Interested parties can participate in the in-person and online event next week to ask about the commission’s procedures securing authorization for satellite and earth station operations.

The FCC is creating applicant guides and other explanatory documents on frequently asked questions, including about space and earth station licensing processes and timelines, orbital debris, and special temporary authority (STA) applications. The first of these covers the FCC’s space station licensing process.

The FCC is making changes in how it deals with commercial space companies after establishing a Space Bureau last year. Last month, the commission adopted rules to speed up processing for space and earth station applications. The FCC currently has applications pending for more than 56,000 satellites — double the number of applications it had four years ago. 

“The space economy is growing at a pace we haven’t seen in decades. Making sure everyone understands how to be a part of that growth is a crucial part of maintaining U.S. leadership, and increasing competition in the space sector benefits us all,” said FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel.