Legis Daily

Launch Communications Act

USA118th CongressS-1648| Senate 
| Updated: 9/26/2024
Eric Schmitt

Eric Schmitt

Republican Senator

Missouri

Cosponsors (1)
John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Launch Communications Act This act requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to facilitate access to specified broadband spectrum frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries. Under current law, commercial missions launching from the United States to space must use government-owned spectrum to communicate with the rockets during launch, and private companies must apply to the FCC to receive special temporary authority to use such spectrum. On June 28, 2021, the FCC issued a final rule adopting a nonfederal secondary allocation of the 2200-2290 megahertz frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum for use during commercial space launches and reentries. The act requires the FCC to (1) adopt service rules for access to additional frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries and complete associated rulemaking activities (e.g., those that set technical specifications and eligibility requirements), and (2) allocate the frequencies. The FCC must also streamline the process for access authorizations, including by providing for (1) authorizations to access specified frequencies for multiple commercial space launches and reentries from one or more federal or private launch or reentry sites, (2) authorizations for multiple uses of such frequencies for a commercial space launch or reentry, (3) electronic filing and processing of access applications, and (4) improved coordination between the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to increase the speed of the review of such applications.

Bill Text Versions

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5 versions available

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Timeline
May 17, 2023
Introduced in Senate
May 17, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 26, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-682
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 27, 2023
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Sep 18, 2023
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with amendments. Without written report.
Sep 18, 2023
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 209.
Oct 31, 2023
Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5266-5267; text: CR S5267)
Oct 31, 2023
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5266-5267; text: CR S5267)
Nov 6, 2023
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Nov 6, 2023
Received in the House.
Nov 6, 2023
Held at the desk.
Sep 18, 2024
Mrs. Rodgers (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Sep 18, 2024
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5309-5310)
Sep 18, 2024
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1648.
Sep 18, 2024
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5309)
Sep 18, 2024
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5309)
Sep 18, 2024
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 24, 2024
Presented to President.
Sep 26, 2024
Signed by President.
Sep 26, 2024
Became Public Law No: 118-85.
  • May 17, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 17, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • July 26, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-682
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • July 27, 2023
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.


  • September 18, 2023
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with amendments. Without written report.


  • September 18, 2023
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 209.


  • October 31, 2023
    Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5266-5267; text: CR S5267)


  • October 31, 2023
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5266-5267; text: CR S5267)


  • November 6, 2023
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • November 6, 2023
    Received in the House.


  • November 6, 2023
    Held at the desk.


  • September 18, 2024
    Mrs. Rodgers (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • September 18, 2024
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5309-5310)


  • September 18, 2024
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1648.


  • September 18, 2024
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5309)


  • September 18, 2024
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5309)


  • September 18, 2024
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • September 24, 2024
    Presented to President.


  • September 26, 2024
    Signed by President.


  • September 26, 2024
    Became Public Law No: 118-85.

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 118-682: Launch Communications Act
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAviation and airportsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Intergovernmental relationsRadio spectrum allocationSpacecraft and satellitesSpace flight and explorationTelephone and wireless communication

Launch Communications Act

USA118th CongressS-1648| Senate 
| Updated: 9/26/2024
Launch Communications Act This act requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to facilitate access to specified broadband spectrum frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries. Under current law, commercial missions launching from the United States to space must use government-owned spectrum to communicate with the rockets during launch, and private companies must apply to the FCC to receive special temporary authority to use such spectrum. On June 28, 2021, the FCC issued a final rule adopting a nonfederal secondary allocation of the 2200-2290 megahertz frequencies of the electromagnetic spectrum for use during commercial space launches and reentries. The act requires the FCC to (1) adopt service rules for access to additional frequencies for commercial space launches and reentries and complete associated rulemaking activities (e.g., those that set technical specifications and eligibility requirements), and (2) allocate the frequencies. The FCC must also streamline the process for access authorizations, including by providing for (1) authorizations to access specified frequencies for multiple commercial space launches and reentries from one or more federal or private launch or reentry sites, (2) authorizations for multiple uses of such frequencies for a commercial space launch or reentry, (3) electronic filing and processing of access applications, and (4) improved coordination between the FCC and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to increase the speed of the review of such applications.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
5 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 17, 2023
Introduced in Senate
May 17, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 26, 2023

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 118-682
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 27, 2023
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Sep 18, 2023
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with amendments. Without written report.
Sep 18, 2023
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 209.
Oct 31, 2023
Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5266-5267; text: CR S5267)
Oct 31, 2023
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5266-5267; text: CR S5267)
Nov 6, 2023
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Nov 6, 2023
Received in the House.
Nov 6, 2023
Held at the desk.
Sep 18, 2024
Mrs. Rodgers (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Sep 18, 2024
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5309-5310)
Sep 18, 2024
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1648.
Sep 18, 2024
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5309)
Sep 18, 2024
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5309)
Sep 18, 2024
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 24, 2024
Presented to President.
Sep 26, 2024
Signed by President.
Sep 26, 2024
Became Public Law No: 118-85.
  • May 17, 2023
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 17, 2023
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • July 26, 2023

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 118-682
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • July 27, 2023
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.


  • September 18, 2023
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cantwell with amendments. Without written report.


  • September 18, 2023
    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 209.


  • October 31, 2023
    Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S5266-5267; text: CR S5267)


  • October 31, 2023
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S5266-5267; text: CR S5267)


  • November 6, 2023
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • November 6, 2023
    Received in the House.


  • November 6, 2023
    Held at the desk.


  • September 18, 2024
    Mrs. Rodgers (WA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • September 18, 2024
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5309-5310)


  • September 18, 2024
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1648.


  • September 18, 2024
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5309)


  • September 18, 2024
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5309)


  • September 18, 2024
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • September 24, 2024
    Presented to President.


  • September 26, 2024
    Signed by President.


  • September 26, 2024
    Became Public Law No: 118-85.
Eric Schmitt

Eric Schmitt

Republican Senator

Missouri

Cosponsors (1)
John W. Hickenlooper (Democratic)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Science, Technology, Communications

Related Bills

  • HR 118-682: Launch Communications Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Administrative law and regulatory proceduresAviation and airportsFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Intergovernmental relationsRadio spectrum allocationSpacecraft and satellitesSpace flight and explorationTelephone and wireless communication