FCC Satellite Licensing: Spectrum, Orbital Slots, and the Filing Process

Every satellite system operating in or serving the United States must be authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Whether you're building a constellation of thousands of LEO broadband satellites or a single geostationary communications platform, the FCC controls access to the radio spectrum and orbital resources that make satellite operations possible.

Since the establishment of the FCC Space Bureau in 2023, the first new FCC bureau in decades, satellite licensing has gained dedicated institutional focus. This guide covers the filing process, key regulatory frameworks, and practical considerations for 2026.

The FCC Space Bureau

The FCC reorganized its satellite oversight in 2023 by creating the Space Bureau, consolidating functions previously split between the International Bureau and other divisions. The Space Bureau handles:

• Satellite licensing: processing applications for new satellite systems and modifications
• Spectrum management: allocating and coordinating radio frequencies for space services
• Orbital debris mitigation: enforcing the 5-year post-mission disposal rule adopted in 2022, which applies to satellites launched after September 29, 2024
• International coordination: working with the ITU and foreign administrations on spectrum and orbit issues
• Market access: authorizing non-U.S. satellites to serve the U.S. market

Part 25: The Core Regulatory Framework

FCC Part 25 governs satellite communications. Key requirements include:

Technical Standards

Operators must demonstrate that their satellite systems comply with power flux density (PFD) limits, equivalent power flux density (EPFD) limits for NGSO systems, and antenna performance standards.

Orbital Debris Mitigation

Satellites launched after September 29, 2024 must be deorbited within 5 years of end-of-mission, a dramatic reduction from the previous 25-year guideline.

Interference Protection

GSO satellite operators have priority in their assigned orbital slots, and NGSO systems must demonstrate they won't cause harmful interference to GSO networks via EPFD limits defined in ITU Radio Regulations.

Bond Requirement

The FCC requires NGSO licensees to post an escalating surety bond of up to $5 million (up to $3 million for GSO licensees), forfeited if deployment milestones are not met.

Licensing Pathways

Part 25 License (U.S. Systems)

A full Part 25 license is required for satellite systems designed, built, or operated by U.S. entities. The application must include detailed technical parameters, a debris mitigation plan, a construction/launch schedule, and financial qualifications.

Market Access (Non-U.S. Systems)

Foreign-licensed satellite systems seeking to serve U.S. customers must obtain market access authorization under the DISCO II framework.

Earth Station Licensing

Ground segment operators need separate FCC authorization for earth stations that communicate with licensed satellites.

Experimental Licenses

The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology issues experimental licenses under Part 5 for testing and demonstration.

NGSO Processing Rounds

Because NGSO systems share spectrum and must coordinate with each other, the FCC groups applications filed within a window and processes them together:

• Filing windows: The FCC periodically opens windows for NGSO applications in specific frequency bands.
• Spectrum sharing: Co-frequency NGSO systems must share spectrum equitably via bandwidth segmentation or time division.
• Milestone requirements: Deploying a percentage of the constellation within 6 years, with full deployment within 9 years.

The Coordination Process

The FCC requires applicants to coordinate with other FCC licensees, with foreign systems through the ITU process, and with federal users via the NTIA's IRAC. Coordination failures can delay or block satellite deployments.

Key Frequency Bands for 2026

• Ka-band (26.5-40 GHz): The workhorse band for broadband satellites. Extremely congested.
• V-band (40-75 GHz): Next-frontier bandwidth. SpaceX, Amazon, and others have filed for V-band authorizations.
• Ku-band (12-18 GHz): Traditional satellite TV and data band, increasingly used by NGSO broadband.
• Q-band (33-50 GHz): Gateway links for mega-constellations.
• L/S-band (1-4 GHz): Critical for direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services.

Practical Timeline and Costs

• ITU deadline: a satellite network must be brought into use within seven years of the ITU receiving its filing, or the filing lapses

Monitor spectrum allocations, track FCC filings, and analyze frequency coordination with SpaceNexus.

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