There has been a buzz in the halls of Astroscale U.S. ever since the FCC adopted a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) related to Space Innovation and Facilitating Capabilities for In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) in late summer. After coalescing hundreds of hours of thought, work, and passion, our final Comment provides the FCC with information on the size, state, and projected growth of the ISAM market, issues around spectrum access and licensing, and how ISAM missions support orbital debris mitigation and remediation goals. If you take one thing away from the Astroscale U.S. comment, it’s that the growth of the space economy and the future of space sustainability depends on commercial ISAM; and commercial ISAM must have assured spectrum access.
The Commission is listening to the needs of a growing satellite ecosystem, and we are pleased to see the Chairwoman’s announcement this morning regarding the creation of a Space Bureau that is dedicated to elevating satellite spectrum licensing matters hence promoting connectivity for the public and the satellite systems that serve the us all.
While there is more work ahead of us all to create the safe, sustainable, secure, and successful orbital environment we all need, it is important to recognize each step forward we make. Astroscale U.S. looks forward to providing further input to the Commission on spectrum and debris mitigation matters.