US moves to dismiss Ligado spectrum lawsuit, disputes court jurisdiction and claims

US moves to dismiss Ligado spectrum lawsuit, disputes court jurisdiction and claims
US moves to dismiss Ligado spectrum lawsuit, disputes court jurisdiction and claims

“Ligado fails to plead any plausible facts to support its purely speculative claim that the Government has occupied its licensed spectrum,” alleges the DoJ motion to dismiss the satellite communication firm’s suit in US Federal Claims Court.

US wins protections for Pentagon radar spectrum at WRC-23

US wins protections for Pentagon radar spectrum at WRC-23
US wins protections for Pentagon radar spectrum at WRC-23

The US and its allies managed to block a move by China to open up the 6 GHz band Beijing uses for 5G mobile wireless communications to global use — a move that would have empowered Chinese telecom firms such as Huawei.

International meeting could imperil Pentagon’s radar, intel-gathering systems

International meeting could imperil Pentagon’s radar, intel-gathering systems
International meeting could imperil Pentagon’s radar, intel-gathering systems

The month-long World Radiocommunications Conference in Dubai will decide whether to change how spectrum use is allocate among various users – including spectrum needed by DoD planes and ships operating abroad.

NORTHCOM chief: Homeland defense could be imperiled by commercial spectrum sale

NORTHCOM chief: Homeland defense could be imperiled by commercial spectrum sale
NORTHCOM chief: Homeland defense could be imperiled by commercial spectrum sale

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on March 5 sent a letter to Congress endorsing a plan for sharing the disputed 3.1-3.45 spectrum band — but also opening the possibility that DoD could vacate it entirely, according to the Congressional Research Service.

Industry squabbles on need for novel space regulation as White House deliberates

Industry squabbles on need for novel space regulation as White House deliberates
Industry squabbles on need for novel space regulation as White House deliberates

“And as weird as that sounds, you know, from an industry guy, I absolutely need regulation and enforcement,” said Tory Bruno, CEO of rocket maker ULA. “Because one bad actor can ruin that entire common environment for all of us.”

FCC proposes to ease direct satellite-to-phone communications

FCC proposes to ease direct satellite-to-phone communications
FCC proposes to ease direct satellite-to-phone communications

While DoD interested in the potential of satellite-to-wireless, government, military and industry officials speaking at Satellite 2023 recognized there also are a number of challenges for military operators.

Space Force to launch ‘marketplace’ for satellite-to-cellular communications services

Space Force to launch ‘marketplace’ for satellite-to-cellular communications services
Space Force to launch ‘marketplace’ for satellite-to-cellular communications services

The plan is for Space Systems Command’s Commercial Satellite Communications Office to set up a contracting vehicle that allows military users to buy satellite-direct-to-cellular communications capability as a service, said Clare Grason, who heads that office.

At home and internationally, ‘governance’ is the space watchword: 2023 Preview

At home and internationally, ‘governance’ is the space watchword: 2023 Preview
At home and internationally, ‘governance’ is the space watchword: 2023 Preview

There are a host of open questions bedeviling national and international policy- and law-makers as they struggle to get a better grip on both the explosion of commercial players with innovative ideas for space utilization and the growing military interest in space as a tool of, and venue for, war.

Space firms want White House fix for regulatory tangle, but disagree on how

Space firms want White House fix for regulatory tangle, but disagree on how
Space firms want White House fix for regulatory tangle, but disagree on how

The National Space Council recently heard suggestions ranging from establishing a licensing “clearinghouse” to temporarily doing away with licensing altogether.

FCC to open ‘Space Bureau’ to keep up with satellite boom in new, commercial ‘Space Age’

FCC to open ‘Space Bureau’ to keep up with satellite boom in new, commercial ‘Space Age’
FCC to open ‘Space Bureau’ to keep up with satellite boom in new, commercial ‘Space Age’

“I think the FCC needs some remodeling,” Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said, announcing the new bureau as well as a new, separate International Affairs office.

New Aussie deal forwards SPACECOM commander’s goal of ‘persistent awareness’ of the heavens

New Aussie deal forwards SPACECOM commander’s goal of ‘persistent awareness’ of the heavens
New Aussie deal forwards SPACECOM commander’s goal of ‘persistent awareness’ of the heavens

Speaking with Breaking Defense and Defense One on Tuesday, SPACECOM head Gen. Jim Dickinson noted the importance of space “governance,” including “norms of responsible behavior,” and the “need to better preserve” the space environment. 

Dangerous, expanding satellite population poses policy challenges to US government

Dangerous, expanding satellite population poses policy challenges to US government
Dangerous, expanding satellite population poses policy challenges to US government

“We need to address space debris so that space is sustainable and remains a working environment,” Ezinne Uzo-Okoro, assistant director for space policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), said today.

Senate Commerce Committee leaders push bill for space debris cleanup

Senate Commerce Committee leaders push bill for space debris cleanup
Senate Commerce Committee leaders push bill for space debris cleanup

“Orbital debris remediation is one of the main areas where the US is falling behind other countries, and this bill would help put America back in a leadership position on making space more sustainable for all to use,” enthused Secure World Foundation’s Brian Weeden.

Ligado network will jam Iridium’s receivers used by DoD: National Academies

Ligado network will jam Iridium’s receivers used by DoD: National Academies
Ligado network will jam Iridium’s receivers used by DoD: National Academies

The report, required by Congress to get to the bottom of whether Ligado’s network would interfere with DoD capabilities, classifies much of the military impact.