The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is undergoing a significant restructuring of its space systems regulations. A key driving force behind these changes is national security, running parallel with the push for commercial innovation. Jay Schwarz, head of the FCC's space bureau, recently detailed ongoing reforms at the SAE Media Group’s Milsatcom USA conference. These reforms aim to modernize satellite licensing and unlock new spectrum bands.
While often discussed in economic terms, Schwarz emphasized the reforms' crucial role in bolstering U.S. defense capabilities in space. He stated, “A strong national defense very much motivates the work that we’re doing at the FCC.” The FCC's space bureau oversees satellite and ground station licensing, spectrum allocation for geostationary and non-geostationary systems, and regulates U.S. space operations.
With the private sector's accelerated investment in space, especially in low-Earth orbit broadband constellations like SpaceX’s Starlink, the FCC has focused on streamlining approvals and inter-agency coordination. Schwarz noted, “Not all, but most of the licensees who come to the FCC do have some dimension of national security in their work,” adding, “Dual use is the name of the game,” highlighting the increasing military use of commercial space assets.
To address this, the FCC is expediting licensing processes, which can otherwise take years and hinder both commercial and defense satellite services. Schwarz stressed the urgency: “We know how urgent it is for all of our warfighters to have secure, reliable communications for an increasingly contested space domain… I care about the economic benefits, but I also care deeply that America’s service members are equipped with what they need.”
One achievement is a 35 percent reduction in pending applications since January, encompassing new space stations and ground infrastructure. Another priority is modernizing non-geostationary satellite system regulations, including revising “power limit” rules to prevent interference. Schwarz anticipates that these reforms will lead to faster, fiber-like throughput from space.
The FCC is also considering opening approximately 20,000 megahertz of spectrum across underutilized bands (12 GHz, 42 GHz, 52 GHz, and W-band), aiming to modernize access for satellite communications and significantly boost capacity. These reforms align with global shifts in spectrum policy, helping maintain U.S. competitiveness. Schwarz explained, “We want to make sure that there’s a wide variety of systems available from which the government can procure services… If we supply more spectrum, then existing players, new players, big players, small players—they can all compete.” These reforms are a priority for FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, reflecting the growing integration of the space economy with national infrastructure and defense.