Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Brendan Carr participates in a FCC meeting at the Federal Communications Commission headquarters on February 18, 2026 in Washington, DC.(Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON ― The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today approved a sweeping overhaul of its licensing process for spectrum usage by satellites — a move that will cut red tape for operators across the military, civil and commercial sectors, as well as ease the path to orbit for new types of missions.
The reforms have been widely lauded by the space industry. While the FCC does not license satellites owned by the Defense Department, operators providing commercial services to the US military and national security agencies must obtain a commission license.
“The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) applauds the Federal Communications Commission for today’s adoption of the ‘Space Modernization for the 21st Century Report and Order.’ By streamlining its satellite and earth station licensing process and reducing regulatory burdens on industry, the Commission is taking a critical step in allowing for continued American innovation and space superiority,” CSF said in a statement provided to Breaking Defense today.
