Incoming Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr will place a major focus on deregulation of commercial space activities and streamlining the approvals processes, space policy according to Communications Daily. Carr has said faster licensing and permitting of commercial space operations will be a priority.

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr is the senior Republican on the FCC, having served previously as the FCC’s General Counsel. Nominated by both President Trump and President Biden, Carr has been confirmed unanimously by the Senate three times.  Described by Axios as “the FCC’s 5G crusader,” Carr has led the FCC’s work to modernize its infrastructure rules and accelerate the buildout of high-speed networks. His reforms cut billions of dollars in red tape, enabled the private sector to construct high-speed networks in communities across the country, and extended America’s global leadership in 5G.

FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has been nominated by Donald Trump to be the next FCC Chairman. Photo Credit: FCC

In addition, some expect long-awaited clarity on what agency oversees novel space missions like in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing, or asteroid mining. Moreover, the experts anticipate increased openness about the use of satellite communications in federal programs fighting the digital divide.

Satellite Industry Association (SIA) President Tom Stroup said a policy shift that would include satellites becoming a qualified provider of broadband for federally funded programs is likely. The Biden administration effectively excluded satellite use, and there needs to be “an honest discussion” about the sector’s potential role, space lawyer Jim Dunstan said.

Space policy is often relatively consistent from administration to administration, though with some tweaks, said Michelle Hanlon, executive director of the Center for Air and Space Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law. She said that aside from a reduction of regulatory red tape, there also could be a reconciling of agencies’ orbital debris policies. Commercial space operators generally would like to see Commerce’s Office of Space Commerce as the regulator of novel space activities, as long as it is adequately staffed. But regardless of who has the oversight, the biggest need is a final decision on authority, she said. The Republican trifecta of the White House, the House and Senate could bring a resolution, Hanlon said.

The FCC under Carr might not be as aggressive as it has been on orbital debris regulation, but it won’t neglect it altogether, emailed Michael Dodge, University of North Dakota space studies associate professor. He said the space industry likely sees Carr as friendly toward its goals.

Summit Ridge Group’s Armand Musey stated that it’s hard to overstate SpaceX’s impact on the commercial space sector, and its progress will likely dominate most investment decisions. He said Carr’s seeming openness toward allowing satellite participation in broadband access programs like BEAD and the rural digital opportunity fund will benefit Starlink, but also Viasat and the industry broadly.  At SpaceX’s urging, Carr is also likely more open than Democrats to increases in power levels for non-geostationary orbit satellite systems, Musey predicted. That could benefit direct-to-device operators, including Starlink, but also AST SpaceMobile, Globalstar and Lynk, he said. M&As under Carr and a Republican DOJ could be somewhat looser for space-related deals, and larger transactions might face fewer conditions, he added.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s friendly relationship with President-elect Donald Trump and Carr could benefit commercial space operators broadly, but it’s also raising eyebrows, sources agree. Musk’s role as co-head of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency advisory committee will provide him with considerable influence, “and people will wonder where the lines might blur between a business seeking governmental approvals, and an advisor seeking benefits for his business,” Dodge said.

References:

https://communicationsdaily.com/article/2024/11/29/trump-and-carr-seen-clarifying-space-rules-streamlining-licensing-and-novel-missions-2411270015?BC=bc_674e624e58d44

https://www.fcc.gov/about/leadership/brendan-carr

https://www.cnn.com/2024/11/18/media/brendan-carr-trump-fcc-nominee-project-2025/index.html

FCC: More competition for Starlink; freeing up spectrum for satellite broadband service

FCC approves EchoStar/Dish request to extend timeline for its 5G buildout

FCC restores net neutrality order, but court challenges loom large

Analysis: FCC attempt to restore Net Neutrality & U.S. standards for broadband reliability, security, and consumer protection

FCC Draft Net Neutrality Order reclassifies broadband access; leaves 5G network slicing unresolved

FCC increases broadband speed benchmark (x-satellites) to 100/20 Mbit/s

FCC legal advisor: Potential End of ACP Is the ‘Biggest Challenge’ Facing the Broadband Marketplace

Highlights of FCC Notice of Inquiry (NOI) on radio spectrum usage & how AI might be used