Transparency Initiative

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) is the U.S. government agency established by Congress under the Communications Act of 1934 for the purpose of regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. As part of its responsibilities in authorizing commercial satellite communications, the FCC also reviews issues related to mitigation of orbital debris. 

In April 2023, the FCC established the Space Bureau, reorganizing the functions of the Satellite Division in the FCC’s former International Bureau (IB) into a new, stand-alone bureau.  Through its policy and licensing responsibilities, the Space Bureau promotes a competitive and innovative global satellite and space-based communications marketplace.   

In furtherance of this objective, the Space Bureau has undertaken a Transparency Initiative, as directed by the Commission (IB Docket No. 22-411 & 22-271). The goal is to provide interested parties with user-friendly information and guidance regarding the Commission’s space station and earth station application and authorization procedures.  The initiative covers a variety of topics, including application completeness, orbital debris requirements, and inter-bureau and inter-agency coordination. 

Thus far, the Space Bureau has released the following Transparency Initiative resources:

• Space Stations
  • Space Station Licensing Processes (Part 25, 5, and 97), Terms and Costs
  • Part 25 Space Station License and Market Access Checklist
    • Narrative for non-U.S. Applications (Petition for Declaratory Ruling) Template
    • Narrative for U.S. Applications (Launch Operating Authority) Template
    • Form 312, Question 40: Corporate Ownership Template
    • Form 312, Question 40: Corporate Ownership Example
    • FCC Cover Letter for ITU SpaceCap Filing Template
    • ITU Cost Recovery Letter Template
  • Part 25 Space Station Licensing Process and Timeline
  • Part 25 Space Station Licensing FAQ
  • Small Satellite and Small Spacecraft Licensing Process
  • Space Station Open House Event Nov. 1, 2023 - Recording
  • Space Station Open House - Public Notice
• Earth Stations
  • Earth Station Licensing Process, License Contents and Costs
  • Earth Station Licensing & Sample Form 312 Applications
  • Key Commission rules related to earth station licensing and operation
  • Service Specific Rules and Coordination Requirements
  • Common Defects in Earth Station Application Filings 
  • Earth Stations FAQ 
  • Earth Station Open House Event January 10, 2024 - Recording
  • Earth Station Open House - Public Notice
• Orbital Debris
  • Orbital Debris FAQ
  • Orbital Debris Mitigation (ODM) Plan Checklist
    • ODM Plan Checklist – Streamlined Small Space Stations
    • ODM Plan Checklist – Streamlined Small Spacecraft
    • ODM Plan Pre-Drafting Worksheet
  • Orbital Debris Open House Event February 29, 2024 - Recording
  • Orbital Debris Open House - Press Advisory
• Coordination
  • Informal Satellite Frequency Coordination ("Pre-Coordination")
  • National U.S. Coordination: Federal and Non-Federal
  • International Satellite Coordination
  • Guidelines for Operator-to-Operator Coordination
  • How to Prepare a U.S. ITU Filing
  • FAQ: Coordination
  • Satellite Coordination Open House event – Recording
  • Satellite Coordination Open House – Public Notice
• Additional Materials
  • Glossary and Acronyms

Additionally, the Space Bureau plans to release an updated version of its electronic filing database (the International Communications Filing System, or ICFS), which will include multiple forms of guidance for users, including training videos for the ICFS application process and a helpful links page.

Note: The former International Bureau Filing System (IBFS), which is the electronic filing database used for all space and earth station applications under part 25 and for international services and cable landing applications, was renamed as the International Communications Filing System after the reorganization of the FCC’s International Bureau into the Space Bureau and the Office of International Affairs (OIA). Establishment of the Space Bureau and the Office of International Affairs and Reorganization of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau and the Office of the Managing Director, Docket No. 23-12, Order, FCC-23-1, para. 8 (Jan. 9, 2023).