The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Public
Notice to provide guidance concerning FCC licensing of spectrum
for use by small satellites, including satellites that fall
within the categories of pico-satellites, nano-satellites and
cubesats. The advent of such small satellite designs has brought
with it dramatically lower launch costs, enabling a larger range
of organizations to directly launch satellites. Institutions
such as universities and research organizations that previously
found it cost prohibitive to launch their own satellite can now
participate in the exploration of space. Many of these
participants may be unfamiliar with the spectrum licensing,
scheduling and other requirements attendant on satellites. This
Public Notice seeks to alert affected parties of these
requirements and thus aid small satellite operators in the
planning necessary for a successful launch operation. The
Commission’s rules set forth three different procedures for
licensing satellites. The Commission’s Part 25