NEWS Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th Street, S.W. Washington, D. C. 20554 This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974). News Media Information 202 / 418-0500 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov TTY: 1-888-835-5322 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: May 9, 2013 Bruce Romano, 202-418-2124 Bruce.Romano@fcc.gov FCC TAKES STEPS TO MAKE SPECTRUM AVAILABLE FOR COMMERCIAL SPACE LAUNCHES AND FACILITATE U.S. GOVERNMENT USE OF COMMERCIAL SATELLITE SERVICES Action boosts U.S. leadership in commercial space industry Washington, D.C. – The Federal Communications Commission today took steps to advance the U.S. commercial space launch industry by proposing to improve commercial access to spectrum used for communications services required for controlling, monitoring, and tracking launch vehicles. The U.S. commercial space launch industry has entered a new era of innovation and growth. According to the FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation’s 2012 Commercial Space Transportation Forecast, fifty percent of the total predicted launches over the next 10 years will be for commercial transportation services. As this industry continues to develop, it will create new technologies, generate countless jobs, and continue the United States’ leadership role in space. To provide certainty to and encourage the growth of the U.S. space launch industry, the FCC today proposed several alternatives for making available spectrum for use during commercial space launches. This proposal represents an important first step towards enabling commercial space launch operators to directly acquire licenses needed for use during launches, using well-defined application and coordination processes. The Commission also sought comment on future spectrum requirements of the commercial space industry, including what other spectrum needs may be important as the commercial space sector continues to develop. The FCC also took action today to facilitate the use of commercial satellite services by U.S. government agencies. Specifically, to advance the goals of the National Space Policy, the Commission sought comment on two alternative proposals to provide Federal earth stations that communicate with non- Federal Fixed-Satellite Service (FSS) and Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS) space stations interference protection identical to that afforded to non-Federal earth stations communicating with the same FSS and MSS space stations. Action by the Commission May 9, 2013, by Notice of Proposed Rule Making and Notice of Inquiry (FCC 13-65). Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, and Pai. Chairman Genachowski, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, and Pai issuing statements. Commission McDowell not participating. For further information, contact Nicholas Oros (202-418-0636); Nicholas.Oros@fcc.gov -FCC-