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House Bill 682
118th Congress(2023-2024)
Launch Communications Act
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Passed House on Jul 25, 2023
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H. R. 682 (Introduced-in-House)


118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 682


To facilitate access to electromagnetic spectrum for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 31, 2023

Mr. Soto (for himself and Mr. Dunn of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To facilitate access to electromagnetic spectrum for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. Short title.

This Act may be cited as the “Launch Communications Act”.

SEC. 2. Access to spectrum for commercial space launches and reentries.

(a) Service rules; allocation.—

(1) 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 Nation’s defense capabilities; 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.—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) under the service rules adopted under paragraph (1)(A), and the allocation of such frequencies under paragraph (1)(B), shall be limited to the use of such frequencies for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries.

(b) Streamlining of process for granting authorizations.—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—

(1) authorizations that include access to such frequencies for multiple commercial space launches from one or more space launch sites and multiple commercial space reentries to one or more reentry sites;

(2) authorizations that include access to multiple uses of such frequencies for commercial space launch or commercial space reentry;

(3) automation of the processes of the Commission to review applications for authorizations for access to such frequencies for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries; and

(4) improved coordination by the Commission with the Assistant Secretary (who shall coordinate with the heads of such other Federal agencies as the Assistant Secretary considers appropriate, which may include the Secretary of Defense) to increase the speed of review of applications for authorizations for access to such frequencies for commercial space launches and commercial space reentries.

(c) Frequencies described.—The frequencies described in this subsection are the following:

(1) The frequencies between 2025–2110 MHz, 2200–2290 MHz, 2360–2395 MHz, and 5650–5925 MHz.

(2) Any additional frequencies identified by the Commission (in coordination with the Assistant Secretary, in the case of potential impact to Federal spectrum use) as necessary to conduct commercial space launches and commercial space reentries.

(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.

(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.