FCC Plans to Establish Space Bureau

FCC Chairwoman Jessica
Rosenworcel (FCC photo)

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced plans in early November to reorganize the commission’s structure to create a new Space Bureau to consolidate all activities related to satellites. Under the plan, the International Bureau will have its satellite-related responsibilities transferred to the new Space Bureau and will be reconfigured as a standalone Office of International Affairs, modeled after the current Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) and Office of General Counsel. The Space Bureau will also deal with domestic satellite matters. 

It is unclear how or whether this change in FCC bureau structure will impact the Amateur Satellite Service. The FCC did not release a timetable for making these changes.