# Plain Language Summary: Launch Communications Act

The Launch Communications Act makes it easier for private companies to launch rockets and bring spacecraft back to Earth by giving them access to specific radio frequencies they need to communicate during these operations. Right now, companies that want to conduct commercial space launches and reentries have to jump through complicated hoops to get permission to use certain radio signals. This bill tells the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to speed up that process and make the rules clearer so companies can get the frequencies they need faster.

The bill focuses on specific radio frequency bands that are already used by other services, but it allows space companies to use them on a "secondary basis"—meaning they can use them as long as they don't interfere with existing users like military communications or weather services. The FCC has 90 days to finalize the technical rules for how this will work, including safety procedures to make sure space launches don't disrupt national defense communications. Companies will need to coordinate with federal agencies before each launch to ensure everything is safe and compatible with existing systems.

To make things faster, the FCC also has to create streamlined regulations within 180 days that let companies get one authorization to cover multiple launches from different locations, rather than having to apply separately each time. The bill also pushes the FCC to automate its review process and work more closely with other federal agencies to speed up approvals. Essentially, this is about removing bureaucratic delays so that private space companies—like those launching satellites or conducting commercial space tourism—can operate more efficiently without sacrificing safety or national security.

Launch Communications Act

Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]

Launch Communications Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to facilitate access to specified broadband spectrum frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries. 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. 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. 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.