OMB Approves FCC Novel Space Activities Spectrum NPRM

Yesterday the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) announced that it had approved a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on “Spectrum Abundance for Novel Space Activities”. The NPRM as sent to OIRA on October 15^th, 2026. This rulemaking was not included in the Spring 2025 Unified Agenda. 

In my earlier post on this NPRM I noted that: “This rulemaking was not published in the Spring 2025 Unified Agenda, but it looks like it may be related an earlier rulemaking from the FCC on “Satellite Spectrum Abundance”.” That relationship was clarified by FCC Chair Brendan Carr in a speech in El Segundo, CA (pg 5):

“Earlier this year, we started a proceeding on opening up more spectrum for satellite broadband. Soon, we will look at opening more spectrum resources for novel space activities – everything from lunar missions to orbital laboratories.”

In any case, we will know for sure what this rulemaking is all about when it is published in the Federal Register in the next week or so. I will probably not cover this in any detail but will at least announce it in the appropriate ‘Short Takes’ post.