As described in Space Bureau’s Transparency Initiative Part 25 Space Station License and Market Access Checklist, applicants must download the latest version of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Space Data Capture (SpaceCap) and Graphical Interference Management (GIMS) software to produce an ITU filing. Both software programs are available at the ITU space networks and related software website, along with instructions for completing a SpaceCap filing.
To obtain an FCC-issued operating agency code, which the software requires, email kal.krautkramer@fcc.gov and request an operating agency code. The applicant will also need to identify a point of contact in the applicant’s organization to receive the ITU invoice for cost recovery fees for your network. Applicants wishing to file a USA ITU filing should contact the Space Bureau for the appropriate USASAT file name by emailing both Joseph Hill (joseph.hill@fcc.gov) and Kathyrn Medley (kathyrn.medley@fcc.gov) in the Space Bureau (SB). The USA ITU filing name will need to be included in the FCC ITU Filing Cover Letter and in the ITU Cost Recovery Letter. If the applicant does not obtain an FCC-issued USASAT satellite network name before submitting ITU-related documents, the applicant will be asked to update and resubmit the documents with the issued satellite network name.
Note: Before forwarding the SpaceCap and GIMS files to the FCC, applicants should run the Space Filings Validation Software (SpaceVal) (also available on the ITU software site) to ensure no fatal errors exist in the file. The files are not receivable by the ITU if there are fatal errors. Please do not attach the SpaceCap and GIMS files in ICFS. Instead, email the filings by replacing the .mdb extension with an .itu file extension to Joseph Hill and Kathyrn Medley. If your submission includes a .zip file as well, please change its extension as well to .abc. In your submission email please provide the correct file names.
For Part 5 Experimental authorizations all ITU file attachments should be uploaded to the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology (OET)’s Experimental Licensing System (ELS); please do not submit to the Space Bureau or ICFS. OET is responsible for coordinating, recording and granting all Experimental authorizations. OET will coordinate experimental applications internally with all FCC Bureaus and NTIA. Experimental files will not be submitted to the ITU until a grant of authorization is provided by OET. All correspondence regarding experimental applications should be conveyed to OET, not SB. The SpaceCap and GIMS filing process is the same as with the Part 25; however, the applicant may choose their own filing name.
Although the experimental licensing rules do not specify required time frames for submitting applications, OET strongly recommends submission of an application not later than 30 days after the date of launch vehicle determination, and in no event later than 90 days before integration of the space station into the launch vehicle. However, six months before integration is strongly encouraged.
For Part 97 Amateur satellite license requests, the FCC Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) will document and grant a license. The requirements are different, though the process is similar to the Experimental process. An International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) coordination letter is required for all amateur satellite license requests. Operators can obtain the IARU coordination letter by emailing the IARU at satcoord@iaru.org and providing the technical details of their proposed operation. Only the use of amateur satellite frequencies is permitted. The cost recovery letter and agency operator code are not required, and the applicant may choose their own file name. Email the ITU SpaceCap filing with an .itu file extension, replacing .mdb with .itu to Joseph Hill. If your submission includes a .zip file as well, please change its extension to .abc. Applicants should please provide the correct file names in the email submissions.
For both amateur and experimental operations, the licensee/operator should file a further notification following launch, and not later than 7 days after expected commencement of transmissions, indicating the status of the satellite (transmissions commenced, etc.). In addition, no later than three months after termination of space station transmissions, the licensee/operator should file a notification of such termination.