Satellite Industry Association Applauds FCC Space Bureau Spinoff

The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) supports the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the creation of a stand-alone Space Bureau to better address the increasing licensing and regulatory requirements of an expanding commercial space industry. The announcement was made by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel at an SIA Space Innovation event held at the National Press Center in Washington, DC.

“SIA strongly applauds both the leadership of Chairwoman Rosenworcel and her recognition of the growing role of satellites in advancing communications policy and helping bridge the broadband digital divide.” Tom Stroup, president of the Satellite Industry Association.

Tom Stroup, president of the Satellite Industry Association.

Chairwoman Rosenworcel announced a plan to reorganize the agency to better support the needs of the growing satellite industry, promote long-term technical capacity at the FCC, and navigate 21st century global communications policy. Under this plan, Chairwoman Rosenworcel will work to reorganize the FCC’s International Bureau into a new Space Bureau and a standalone Office of International Affairs. These changes will help ensure that the FCC’s resources are better aligned so that the agency can continue to fulfill its statutory obligations and keep pace with the rapidly changing realities of the satellite industry and global communications policy. By separating satellite policy from the “International Bureau,” the agency acknowledges the role of satellite communications in advancing domestic communications policy and achieving U.S. broadband goals

Stroup: Space Bureau Will Help Bridge the Digital Divide

“SIA strongly applauds both the leadership of Chairwoman Rosenworcel and her recognition of the growing role of satellites in advancing communications policy and helping bridge the broadband digital divide,” said Tom Stroup (pictured), president of the Satellite Industry Association. “SIA and its members look forward to continuing to work together with the Chairwoman and the future Space Bureau to help ensure the industry’s continued innovation and growth plus the long term access to a sustainable and safe orbital space environment. Such access will benefit both the commercial satellite industry and all Americans.”

“As the chair of SIA, I welcome Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s announcement, today, and look forward to the benefits that this emphasis on Space will bring to the continued pace of US commercial space innovation,” said Jennifer Warren, chair of the Satellite Industry Association.

In the past decade, there have been tremendous industry-changing leaps in commercial space innovation that have ultimately led to unprecedented growth in the sheer number and the capacity of the satellites in Earth orbit. Innovation has led to the development of small satellites, reusable launch vehicles and spacecraft, factory mass production of satellites, the ability to service and extend the lifespan of spacecraft with on-orbit mission extension vehicles, high throughput satellite data communications, improved and expanded spectrum remote sensing and imaging capabilities, next-generation satellite navigation plus so much more. Satellites of all sizes can not only do more, but they can be designed, manufactured and launched into space at a significantly lower cost than ever before.

(Source: SIA news release. Images from file)