FCC Sends Mobile Ground Station Final Rule to OMB

Yesterday, the OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) announced that it had received a final rule from the FCC on “Amendment of Parts 2 and 25 of the FCC Rules to Facilitate the Use of Earth Stations in Motion Communicating with Geostationary Orbit Space Stations in FSS Bands: IB Docket No. 17-95”. A notice of proposed rulemaking was published on June 16th, 2017. A further notice of proposed rulemaking was published on July 24th, 2020. Portions of the first NPRM were adopted in a Report and Order notice published on July 24th, 2020. 

According to the 2026 Unified Agenda entry for this rulemaking: 

“In June 2017, the Commission began a rulemaking to streamline, consolidate, and harmonize rules governing earth stations in motion (ESIMs) used to provide satellite-based services on ships, airplanes and vehicles communicating with geostationary-satellite orbit (GSO), fixed-satellite service (FSS) satellite systems. In September 2018, the Commission adopted rules governing communications of ESIMs with GSO satellites. These rules addressed communications in the conventional C-, Ku-, and Ka-bands, as well as portions of the extended Ku-band. At the same time, the Commission also released a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that sought comment on allowing ESIMs to operate in all of the frequency bands in which earth stations at fixed locations operating in GSO FSS satellite networks can be blanket-licensed. Specifically, comment was sought on expanding the frequencies available for communications of ESIMs with GSO FSS satellites to include the following frequency bands: 10.7-10.95 GHz, 11.2-11.45 GHz, 17.8-18.3 GHz, 18.8-19.3 GHz, 19.3-19.4 GHz, 19.6-19.7 GHz (space-to-Earth); and 28.6-29.1 GHz (Earth-to-space).” 

NOTE: The above UA agenda entry was posted in the ‘Long Term Actions’ portion of the Agenda with a note: “Next Action Undetermined”. It is unusual, but not unprecedented, for a rulemaking to so quickly change status. 

This rulemaking will only receive limited notice in this blog under my limited Space Geek coverage. 

Review – Bills Introduced – 9-16-26

Yesterday, with both the House and Senate in Washington, there were 114 bills introduced. I do not expect to provide any additional coverage of those bills in this blog.  

Space Geek Legislation  

I would like to mention two bills under my limited Space Geek coverage in this blog: 

HR 10430 To establish the United States Space Academy as a service academy of the United States, to require that the Academy be located in the State of Florida, and for other purposes. Donalds, Byron [Rep.-R-FL-19]    

H Res 1557 Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the rollout of Space Shuttle Enterprise from the Rockwell International plant in Palmdale, California. Whitesides, George [Rep.-D-CA-27] 

For more information on these bills, including legislative history for similar bills in the 118th Congress, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/bills-introduced-9-16-26 - subscription required. 

Review – Bills Introduced – 9-15-26

Yesterday, with both the House and Senate in session, there were 47 bills introduced. I do not expect to provide additional coverage in this blog for any of those bills. 

Space Geek Legislation 

I would like to mention one bill under my limited Space Geek coverage in this blog: 

S 5398 A bill to establish the United States Space Academy as a service academy of the United States, to require that the Academy be located in the State of Florida, and for other purposes. Moody, Ashley [Sen.-R-FL]    

For more information on these bills, including legislative history for similar bills in the 118th Congress, see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/bills-introduced-9-15-26 - subscription required. 

Short Takes – 9-12-26 - Federal Register Edition

RCRA Testing  

Request for Information on Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste (SW-846), Waste Sampling and Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Testing. EPA request for information. Summary: “EPA updates test methods and waste sampling guidance as part of routine updates according to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). To aid in the implementation of these directives, the Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requests information on SW-846 method experiences, needs, and requirements. ORCR is specifically interested in information on the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) Method 1311, including method challenges, and alternatives. Information is welcome from stakeholders involved in requesting, performing, and evaluating the results from SW-846 methods including, but not limited to, industry stakeholders, researchers, academia, state, Tribal, and local governments. This includes U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, other federal agencies, community groups, non-governmental organizations, the public, and international organizations. The EPA will use the information received in response to this request for information (RFI) to inform what action, if any, it may take.” 

Space Geek  

Name of Information Collection: Proposal Submissions and Awards Management System (ProSAMS) for the NASA Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) program Solicitations. NASA 30-day new information collection request notice. Summary: “The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.... The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) is another program that expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development (R&D) arena.” 

Executive Orders  

EO 14426 - Accelerating Access to Veterans' Benefits and Employment Opportunities. 

EO 14427 - Adjusting Certain Delegations Under the Defense Production Act. 

Short Takes – 9-9-26 - Federal Register Edition

Grid Security  

Securing the United States Bulk-Power System. CESER request for information. Summary: “Consistent with the Executive order of August 26, 2026, Declaring a National Emergency to Secure the United States Bulk-Power System [EO 14421], the Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) is seeking information from industry and other stakeholders to inform DOE actions to implement the Executive order. Specifically, DOE seeks information regarding the scope of covered equipment and transactions; risks associated with Covered Foreign Entities and foreign-produced bulk-power system electric equipment; supply chain, software, firmware, digital service, maintenance service, and remote-access practices; existing equipment and potential mitigation; licensing and prequalification; domestic manufacturing and secure replacement capacity; Federal procurement; and potential economic, reliability, safety, and small-entity impacts.” 

Highway Safety  

Agency Information Collection Activities; Renewal of an Approved Information Collection: Accident Recordkeeping Requirements. FMCSA 60-day ICR renewal notice. Summary: “This ICR relates to Agency requirements that motor carriers maintain a record of accidents involving their commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Motor carriers are not required to report this data to FMCSA, but must produce it upon inquiry by authorized Federal, State or local officials.” 

HAZMAT Safety  

Hazardous Materials: Notice of Administrative Determination of Preemption for Common Law Tort Claims Concerning the Transportation of Gasoline. PHMSA notice of preemption decision. Summary: “The Exxon Mobil Corporation (Exxon) seeks a determination that Federal law preempts State common law claims brought against it in New Jersey concerning the safe transportation of gasoline in commerce. PHMSA is issuing a final administrative determination concluding that the State common law tort claims presented by Exxon are preempted. Each of these duties, if imposed, would present an obstacle to compliance with the Federal regulatory framework essential for the safe transportation of gasoline. In addition, any claims about covered subjects, such as the marking, loading and unloading, and classification of gasoline that are not substantively the same as the applicable HMR provisions are preempted.” 

Space Geek  

Unleashing Unlicensed Spectrum for Direct-to-Device. FCC notice of proposed rulemaking. Summary: “The Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC) issues a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposes to expand opportunities for direct-to-device (D2D) communications by permitting certain unlicensed devices to communicate with satellites on a non-interference basis. Building on recent market growth and new industry investment in D2D technologies, the NPRM explores adding satellite allocations in specific unlicensed bands, clarifying that equipment may operate within spacecraft, and establishing a flexible regulatory framework that preserves incumbent operations while enabling continued innovation. The Commission seeks comment on technical, licensing, and policy considerations to support expanded D2D connectivity and ensure coexistence with existing services.”