STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER JESSICA ROSENWORCEL
Re: Amendment of Part 2 of the Commission’s Rules for Federal Earth Stations 
Communicating with Non-Federal Fixed Satellite Service Space Stations; Federal Space 
Station Use of the 399.9-400.05 MHz Band; and Allocation of Spectrum for Non-Federal 
Space Launch Operations, ET Docket No. 13-115, RM-11341
We are in the early stages of a new era in space exploration.  What was once just the airy 
province of science fiction is now grounded in reality.  As our space missions expand, our 
aerospace technologies advance, and as a result, a commercial market for space travel is now 
emerging.  Going forward, access to space will no longer be limited to those few federal workers 
with the right stuff.  
So it is no surprise that the National Space Policy released by President Obama calls for 
the government to take steps to develop a robust commercial space industry.  Though limited, the
Commission has a role to play in helping achieve this objective for space.  In fact, the steps we 
take in today’s inquiry and rulemaking will bring us closer to this goal.  First, we propose rules 
that will allow the commercial space launch industry better access to the 420-430 MHz, 2200-
2290 MHz, and 5650-5925 MHz spectrum bands while beginning an inquiry into the industry’s 
broader spectrum needs.  Second, we propose options to provide improved interference 
protection for communications between commercial satellites and federal users on the ground.  
Taken together, these efforts are onboard with fulfilling the objectives of the National 
Space Policy.  I support them, and I thank the Office of Engineering and Technology for their 
work on these big, important, and galactic matters.