The FCC Wants to Open Spectrum for "Weird Space Stuff." Here's What That Actually Means.

On March 26, 2026, the FCC unanimously adopted one of the most consequential space-related rulemakings in years — and gave it possibly the best name in regulatory history. The "Spectrum Abundance for Weird Space Stuff" Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 26-13) proposes creating spectrum access for an entire category of space operations that currently has zero non-Federal spectrum available in the United States.

Chairman Brendan Carr framed it simply: "America's space companies, even the weird ones, need plentiful access to spectrum." Commissioner Anna Gomez pushed back on the framing, noting the item "isn't weird, it's cool." Both voted yes, along with Commissioner Olivia Trusty.

Behind the catchy name is a serious structural problem. Companies building the next generation of space capabilities — satellite servicing, debris removal, orbital manufacturing, space-based data centers — need reliable radio spectrum for command and control of their spacecraft. But these operations do not provide communications services to the public, which means they do not fit neatly into any existing FCC licensing category. The result is an acute shortage of usable spectrum for some of the most transformative activities in commercial space.

For companies tracking spectrum management developments and the regulatory landscape, this NPRM could reshape the business case for an entire sector of the space economy.

What Activities Are Covered

The NPRM defines "emergent space operations" as spacecraft or commercial operations in space that use radio spectrum for control of, or communications with, a spacecraft — but NOT for satellite communications or radiocommunications services provided to the public. The activities that fall under this umbrella include:

• In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) — Satellite inspection, life extension, repair, refueling, or alteration of spacecraft post-launch. Companies like Northrop Grumman (MEV), Astroscale (ELSA-M), Orbit Fab (refueling), and Starfish Space (Otter) are actively operating or preparing missions in this space.
• Active debris removal — Capturing and deorbiting defunct satellites and rocket stages.
• Orbital manufacturing — Pharmaceutical production, fiber optics, and advanced materials manufacturing in microgravity.
• Orbital data centers — SpaceX has announced plans for one million orbital data centers, Starcloud has proposed 88,000, and Blue Origin has plans for 51,000.
• Space-based energy generation — Solar and nuclear power systems in orbit.
• Commercial habitable spacecraft — Private space stations.
• Orbit transfer vehicles and space tugs
• Lunar orbiters, landers, and relay stations

The ISAM market alone is valued at approximately $3 billion (2024) and projected to reach $7 billion by 2033. But without guaranteed spectrum access, companies in this space face a fundamental business problem: they cannot obtain commercial insurance or project financing for missions that involve critical proximity operations like docking or refueling, because the risk of losing spacecraft control during those operations is too high for underwriters.

The Spectrum Problem

Every satellite — whether it provides broadband internet, captures Earth imagery, or services another spacecraft — needs radio spectrum for telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C). These are the radio links that allow operators to monitor a satellite's health, send commands, and receive data.

Traditional communications satellites get their TT&C spectrum bundled with their communications license. But emergent space operations do not provide communications services, which means they need TT&C spectrum through a different pathway — the Space Operation Service (SOS).

Here is the problem: in the United States, most SOS bands (2025-2110 MHz and 2200-2290 MHz) are reserved for federal and government use and are heavily congested. There are currently zero non-Federal SOS allocations available. Companies doing satellite servicing, debris removal, or orbital manufacturing must either piggyback on spectrum authorized for another spacecraft (with no formal legal framework) or apply for ad hoc waivers — a process that is slow, uncertain, and does not scale.

With over 11,000 active satellites in orbit today and projections of 20,000+ by 2030, the gap between spectrum demand and spectrum supply for these operations is widening rapidly.

Three Proposed Solutions

The NPRM proposes three main mechanisms to address the spectrum shortage. Chairman Carr described the approach as three-pronged: clarify when cutting-edge missions can use commercial spectrum, explore market-based approaches for intensive use, and examine new dedicated spectrum bands.

1. Codify Frequency Piggybacking

The first proposal is the simplest: formally codify the practice of "piggybacking" — allowing a spacecraft to communicate in frequency bands already authorized for use by another spacecraft while the two are connected or working in close proximity. If you are servicing a satellite that has an FCC-authorized communications license, your servicing vehicle could use that satellite's spectrum during the operation.

This received unanimous support from commenters on the earlier ISAM proceedings. The NPRM would require certifications of consent and conformance with the client spacecraft's ITU filings. The FCC is also seeking comment on whether this should extend to non-U.S.-licensed spacecraft.

2. New Secondary SOS Allocation at 2320-2345 MHz

This is the most novel and specific proposal. The FCC proposes adding a secondary non-Federal Space Operation Service allocation in the 2320-2345 MHz band — 25 MHz of spectrum currently allocated on a primary basis for Broadcasting Satellite Service and used exclusively by SiriusXM for satellite digital audio radio (serving approximately 32.8 million subscribers).

The mechanism would use a spectrum leasing model based on the de facto transfer leasing framework used by terrestrial wireless licensees. SiriusXM would lease spectrum to earth station operators for uplink TT&C. The FCC tentatively concludes SiriusXM may require financial compensation — effectively creating a new revenue stream for the satellite radio company.

Geographic opportunities exist where SiriusXM has no coverage: northern Alaska (north of Anchorage), Hawaii, and Pacific U.S. Territories, potentially allowing uncoordinated use in those areas.

Additional adjacent bands are also under consideration: 2305-2315 MHz, 2315-2320 MHz, 2345-2350 MHz, and 2350-2360 MHz.

3. FSS-Based TT&C and Inter-Satellite Links

The third pathway would allow standalone TT&C on an unprotected, non-interference basis within existing Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) allocations. It would also enable already-licensed space stations to provide TT&C and payload communications to emergent operation spacecraft via inter-satellite links (ISLs).

The FCC is also seeking comment on broadening the definition of telemetry to include video and other data downlinks during rendezvous and proximity operations — critical for servicing missions where operators need real-time visual feeds during docking and fuel transfer operations.

The FCC notes the combined impact would move the spectrum landscape from "zero non-Federal spectrum available today" to "at least 25 megahertz," potentially "much, much more" with full adoption. For context, typical TT&C operations require only about 100 kilohertz of bandwidth or less.

Who Benefits — and Who's Watching Carefully

The clearest beneficiaries are ISAM operators whose business models depend on reliable spectrum access for proximity operations. Astroscale, which is launching the world's first commercial end-of-life satellite service (ELSA-M) in 2026, has been actively engaged in FCC proceedings. Orbit Fab, which has sold 50+ RAFTI fueling ports and completed the first in-space refueling mission with the Defense Innovation Unit, needs command and control spectrum during fuel transfer. Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicles require TT&C for docked servicing operations.

The orbital data center companies — SpaceX, Starcloud, Blue Origin — represent the highest-volume future demand, potentially requiring TT&C for tens of thousands of non-communications spacecraft.

SiriusXM is the incumbent to watch. As the primary licensee at 2320-2345 MHz, they would need to negotiate spectrum leasing arrangements. But this also creates a potential new revenue stream — leasing unused capacity to space operators.

The FCC Overreach Debate

This NPRM exists in the context of a larger tension over the FCC's role in space regulation. In October 2025, the FCC proposed its separate "Space Modernization for the 21st Century" NPRM (Part 100), which would replace Part 25 satellite rules with a new comprehensive framework including operational safety requirements — such as mandating collision risk assessments and compliance with human casualty thresholds.

In February 2026, the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee sent a bipartisan letter urging the FCC to rescind or substantially narrow the Part 100 proposal, arguing the Communications Act of 1934 "contains no clear congressional authorization empowering the FCC to regulate space safety, space traffic management, or broader non-communications space operations."

The "Weird Space Stuff" NPRM is more narrowly focused on spectrum allocation — squarely within the FCC's traditional authority. This may be a deliberate response to the overreach criticism: solve the spectrum problem without venturing into operational safety regulation. Companies following the intersection of regulatory filings and space policy should track both proceedings.

The WRC-27 Connection

The domestic "Weird Space Stuff" proceeding positions the U.S. ahead of WRC-27 (World Radiocommunication Conference, scheduled for Shanghai in 2027), where roughly 80% of the agenda is dedicated to space-related issues. Establishing domestic frameworks for emergent space operations spectrum gives the U.S. delegation concrete proposals and operational experience to bring to international negotiations. Companies can track the broader spectrum landscape on our spectrum management page.

What You Should Do

The NPRM was formally issued March 31, 2026. Comments are due 30 days after Federal Register publication, with reply comments due at 60 days. Filed in SB Docket No. 26-54 via the Electronic Comment Filing System.

Companies operating in ISAM, debris removal, orbital manufacturing, or any non-traditional space activity should file comments. Even if you are not directly affected by the spectrum proposals today, the definitions established in this proceeding — what counts as an "emergent space operation," how piggybacking works, what TT&C includes — will shape the licensing framework for years.

The FCC is asking the right questions. Whether the answers create a workable framework or a regulatory tangle will depend on industry engagement now, while the rules are still being written.