Springfield Standard

Senator Eric Schmitt announced that President Joe Biden has signed S.1648, The Launch Communications Act, into law. This legislation, introduced by Senators Schmitt and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) last year, aims to establish a new process for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to issue spectrum licenses for commercial space launches. The updated process is designed to reduce regulatory paperwork and improve interagency coordination over spectrum frequencies while protecting federal users.

“It’s great news that the White House signed my Launch Communications Act into law. I will never stop advocating for common sense legislation which streamlines unnecessarily burdensome government processes," said Senator Eric Schmitt. "As Ranking Member of the Space and Science Subcommittee on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, I have made it a priority to make it easier, not harder, for the commercial space industry to continue to innovate. America must maintain its edge in the 21st century space race against China, and this legislation is a necessary step in maintaining American space dominance. I want to also thank Senator Hickenlooper and Representatives Soto and Dunn for their work on this critical piece of legislation. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure the new law is implemented correctly and enforced properly.”

“Our Launch Communications Act is a win for American innovation,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “We’re excited President Biden signed it into law so we can lead the next era of space exploration.”

The commercial spaceflight industry is expected to see significant growth in launch activities. Data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shows that there were 79 commercial launches in 2022, increasing to a record 117 launches in 2023. This surge underscores the need for modernized regulatory processes at federal agencies.

The FCC's current licensing process was established decades ago when commercial space launches were rare. As U.S. presence in space expands, modernizing this process is crucial to maintaining global leadership in space against competitors like China.

The Launch Communications Act addresses these challenges by requiring the FCC to allocate temporary spectrum access for commercial space launch and reentry activities within specified frequency bands if approved. It allows launch providers to bundle spectrum applications for multiple similar launches, reducing administrative burdens on both providers and the FCC.

Additionally, the act instructs the FCC to automate its review process for license applications instead of relying on manual reviews that have led to ground stops of critical launches. It also mandates improved coordination with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to expedite authorization processes.

A similar version of this act sponsored by Representatives Soto and Dunn passed unanimously in the House of Representatives in July 2023. They also played a role in advancing the Senate-passed version through the House.

This marks Senator Schmitt’s first bill signed into law, making him the only Senate freshman with such an achievement this Congress.