[118th Congress Public Law 85]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 1545]]
LAUNCH COMMUNICATIONS ACT
[[Page 138 STAT. 1546]]
Public Law 118-85
118th Congress
An Act
To facilitate access to the electromagnetic spectrum for commercial
space launches and commercial space reentries, and for other
purposes. <<NOTE: Sept. 26, 2024 - [S. 1648]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: Launch
Communications Act. 47 USC 303 note.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Launch Communications Act''.
SEC. 2. ACCESS TO ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM FOR COMMERCIAL SPACE
LAUNCHES AND REENTRIES.
(a) Service Rules; Allocation.--
(1) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> In general.--Not later than 90 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commission
shall--
(A) complete any proceeding in effect as of such
date of enactment related to the adoption of service
rules for access to the frequencies described in
subsection (c) for commercial space launches and
commercial space reentries, including technical
specifications, eligibility requirements, and
coordination procedures to preserve the defense
capabilities of the United States; and
(B) allocate on a secondary basis such frequencies
for commercial space launches and commercial space
reentries.
(2) Coordination with national telecommunications and
information administration.-- <<NOTE: Requirements.>> The
coordination procedures adopted under paragraph (1)(A) shall
include requirements for persons conducting commercial space
launches and commercial space reentries to coordinate with the
Assistant Secretary regarding access to the frequencies
described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches and
commercial space reentries.
(3) Limitation.--Access to the frequencies described in
subsection (c) in accordance with the service rules adopted
under subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), and the allocation of
such frequencies under subparagraph (B) of that paragraph, shall
be limited to the use of such frequencies for commercial space
launches and commercial space reentries.
(b) Streamlining of Process for Granting Authorizations.--
<<NOTE: Deadline. Regulations.>> Not later than 180 days after the date
of the enactment of this Act, the Commission shall issue new regulations
to streamline the process for granting authorizations for access to the
frequencies described in subsection (c) for commercial space launches
and commercial space reentries so as to provide for--
[[Page 138 STAT. 1547]]
(1) authorizations that include access to such frequencies
for multiple commercial space launches from 1 or more Federal
space launch sites and multiple commercial space reentries to 1
or more Federal space reentry sites;
(2) authorizations that include access to such frequencies
for multiple commercial space launches from 1 or more private
space launch sites and multiple commercial space reentries to 1
or more private space reentry sites, upon successful
coordination with any Federal space launch site within a range
for access to such frequencies such that such a commercial space
launch or commercial space reentry would not cause harmful
interference with Federal systems;
(3) authorizations that include access to multiple uses of
such frequencies for commercial space launch or commercial space
reentry;
(4) electronic filing and processing of applications for
authorizations for access to such frequencies for commercial
space launches and commercial space reentries; and
(5) improved coordination by the Commission with the
Assistant Secretary (who shall coordinate with the head of any
other Federal agency, as the Assistant Secretary considers
appropriate) to increase the speed of review of applications for
authorizations for access to such frequencies for commercial
space launches and commercial space reentries, including
coordination to increase automation similar to the automation
described in the service rules established by the Commission and
the Assistant Secretary to promote the development and use, by
entities other than the Federal Government, of spectrum in other
bands, including bands with the frequencies between 71 and 76
gigahertz, between 81 and 86 gigahertz, and between 92 and 95
gigahertz.
(c) Frequencies Described.--The frequencies described in this
subsection are the frequencies between 2025 and 2110 megahertz, between
2200 and 2290 megahertz, and between 2360 and 2395 megahertz.
(d) Rule of Construction.--Each range of frequencies described in
this section shall be construed to be inclusive of the upper and lower
frequencies in the range.
(e) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Assistant secretary.--The term ``Assistant Secretary''
means the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and
Information.
(2) Commercial space launch.--The term ``commercial space
launch'' means a launch licensed under chapter 509 of title 51,
United States Code.
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(3) Commercial space reentry.--The term ``commercial space
reentry'' means a reentry licensed under chapter 509 of title
51, United States Code.
(4) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal
Communications Commission.
Approved September 26, 2024.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 1648 (H.R. 682):
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 118-156 (Comm. on Energy and Commerce) accompanying
H.R. 682.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:
Vol. 169 (2023):
Oct. 31, considered and passed
Senate.
Vol. 170 (2024):
Sept. 17, considered and passed
House.
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