PART 26—SPACE LAUNCH SERVICES Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151, 152, 154, 301, 303, unless otherwise noted. Source: 89 FR 63321, Aug. 5, 2024, unless otherwise noted. Subpart A—General Information § 26.1 [Reserved] § 26.2 Frequencies. The following frequencies are available for assignment on a nationwide, non-exclusive basis for Space Launch Services: (a) 2025-2110 MHz; (b) 2200-2290 MHz; and (c) 2360-2395 MHz. [90 FR 11492, Mar. 7, 2025] § 26.3 Scope of service. (a) Space launch stations are restricted to the following uses: (1) 2025-2110 MHz band. (2) 2200-2290 MHz band. (3) 2360-2395 MHz band. (b) Telemetry, tracking, and telecommand functions permissible as space launch operations, subject to the restrictions in paragraph (a) of this section, include, but are not limited to: (1) Pre-launch testing, such as pre-flight checks, ground testing, and telemetry; (2) Vehicle tracking, including the transmission of parameter data from a launch vehicle to ground; (3) Telecommand signals for propulsive maneuvering of a launch vehicle and separation of payload from launch vehicle; and (4) Telecommand signals for propulsive maneuvering of a reentry vehicle for return and recovery. (c) The use of Space Launch Services licenses for on-orbit communications after a launch vehicle separates from its payload are not permitted, provided that a space launch station may be used for telemetry, tracking, and telecommand activities for the incidental orbiting of a launch vehicle before or after it has separated from its payload. The use of Space Launch Services licenses for such incidental orbiting are permitted only to the extent necessary for space launch operations. [89 FR 63321, Aug. 5, 2024, as amended at 90 FR 11492, Mar. 7, 2025] § 26.4 [Reserved] § 26.5 Terms and definitions. Base station. Equivalent isotropically radiated power EIRP Expendable launch vehicle. First stage of a launch. Fixed service. Fixed station. Frequency coordination. Frequency coordinator. Harmful interference. Itinerant operation. Launch vehicle. Mobile service. Mobile station. Reentry vehicle. Reusable launch vehicle. Space launch operations. Telecommand. Telemetry. Universal Licensing System ULS Subpart B—Applications and Licenses § 26.101 Eligibility. The following entities are eligible for Space Launch Services licenses: (a) A non-Federal entity that conducts space launch operations; or (b) A parent of such entity or a subsidiary of such entity if either conducts space launch operations. § 26.102 License period; renewal. Licenses for stations in the Space Launch Services will be issued for a term of ten years from the date of original issuance, or renewal. Prior to expiration of the term of a license, the space launch licensee shall submit to the Commission an application for the renewal in accordance with part 1, subpart F, of this chapter. Such renewal application shall certify that, during the preceding license term, the licensee operated and continues to operate consistent with Commission rules in this chapter and the terms of its existing authorization, including the operation of stations consistent with the terms of frequency coordination performed during its license term. § 26.103 Licensing. The 2025-2110 MHz, 2200-2290 MHz, and 2360-2395 MHz bands are authorized on a non-exclusive nationwide basis for Space Launch Services. Non-exclusive nationwide licenses will serve as a prerequisite for registering launch sites and individual fixed, base, itinerant and mobile stations, as well as individual coordinated launches. A Space Launch Services licensee cannot operate a launch site and corresponding fixed, base, itinerant or mobile stations before registering it under its license and may only operate a station after that station has been cleared to operate in a particular frequency band in connection with a particular launch pursuant to the post-grant frequency coordination process set forth in Subpart C of this part. Space Launch Services licensees must delete registrations for unused launch sites and unused fixed, base, itinerant and mobile stations to maintain database integrity and facilitate coordination with other users of the 2025-2110 MHz, 2200-2290 MHz, and 2360-2395 MHz bands. [90 FR 11492, Mar. 7, 2025] § 26.104 Regulatory status. Licensees are permitted to provide services on a non-common carrier basis. A licensee may render communications services consistent with the regulatory status in its license and with the Commission's rules in this chapter applicable to the Space Launch Services. § 26.105 Authorization required. (a) General rule. (b) Restrictions. See § 26.106 xxx Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 63324, Aug. 5, 2024. § 26.107 Restrictions on the operation of stations. Stations in the Space Launch Services may operate in a particular frequency band only if they have been registered pursuant to this subpart and cleared to operate in that frequency band by the space launch frequency coordinator using the frequency coordination process set forth in subpart C of this part. § 26.108 xxx Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 63324, Aug. 5, 2024. § 26.109 Assignment and transfer. Licensees may assign or transfer their non-exclusive nationwide licenses upon application to and prior approval from the Commission, and any stations registered under those licenses will remain associated with those licenses unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties to the assignment or transfer and approved by the Commission. Subpart C—Frequency Coordination § 26.201 Policies governing the assignment of frequencies. (a) Frequencies assigned to Space Launch Services stations are available on a shared basis only and will not be assigned for the exclusive use of any licensee. (b) Any base, fixed, itinerant, or mobile station operating in the band must comply with the frequency coordination requirements set forth in this subpart. (c) All applicants and licensees shall cooperate in the selection and use of frequencies for Space Launch Services and comply with the frequency coordination requirements in this subpart in order to minimize the potential for interference and make the most effective use of the authorized facilities. Information regarding registered launch sites, stations, and launches that have completed the frequency coordination process set forth in this subpart will be available at https://wireless.fcc.gov/uls. § 26.202 xxx Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 63324, Aug. 5, 2024. Link to an amendment published at 90 FR 11492, Mar. 7, 2025. Subpart D—Technical Standards. § 26.301 xxx Link to an amendment published at 89 FR 63325, Aug. 5, 2024. § 26.302 Emission masks. (a) 2025-2110 MHz. Equation 1 to Paragraph (a) Where: f d B n dBsd is dB attenuation in a 4 kHz bandwidth, relative to the maximum power in any 4 kHz bandwidth within the necessary bandwidth (0 dBsd), where attenuation in this sense refers to the reduction in level relative to the reference, 0 dBsd, unless otherwise specified. The unwanted emission mask rolls off at 40 dB per decade to a maximum attenuation of 60 dBsd, at which point it continues on both sides of the carrier for all frequencies beyond this point; see Annex M of the NTIA Manual regarding measurement requirements (incorporated by reference, see § 26.305); for any narrowband or single frequency unwanted emission which is not spread by the modulation process, the required attenuation shall be at least 60 dBc, where dBc is attenuation below the mean transmit power, rather than the dBsd value determined in equation 1 to this paragraph (a). (b) 2200-2290 MHz. i.e., Equation 2 to Paragraph (b)(1) M(f) = K + 90 log(R)−100 log |f-fc|; |f-fc| ≥ R/m Where: M(f) = power (dBc) at frequency f (MHz). K = −20 for analog signals. K = −28 for binary signals. K = −61 for FQPSK-B, FQPSK-JR, SOQPSK-TG. K = −73 for ARTM CPM. fc = transmitter center frequency (MHz). R = bit rate (Mbps) for digital signals or (Δf +fmax)(MHz) for analog FM signals. M = number of states in modulating signal (m = 2 for binary signals, m = 4 for quaternary signals and analog signals). f = peak deviation. fmax = maximum modulation frequency. (2) After the first stage of a launch, the emission mask set forth in paragraph (a) of this section shall apply. (c) 2360-2395 MHz. (i) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth up to and including 100 percent plus 0.5 MHz, the attenuation must be at least 60 dB, when measured in a 3.0 kHz bandwidth. This signal need not be attenuated more than 25 dB below 1 milliwatt. (ii) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 100 percent of the authorized bandwidth plus 0.5 MHz, the attenuation must be at least 55 + 10 log 10 (2) When using frequency modulation or digital modulation for telemetry or telecommand with an authorized bandwidth greater than 1 MHz, the emissions must be attenuated as follows: (i) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent of the authorized bandwidth plus 0.5 MHz up to and including 50 percent of the authorized bandwidth plus 1.0 MHz, the attenuation must be 60 dB, when measured in a 3.0 kHz bandwidth. The signal need not be attenuated more than 25 dB below 1 milliwatt. (ii) On any frequency removed from the assigned frequency by more than 50 percent of the authorized bandwidth plus 1.0 MHz, the attenuation must be at least 55 + 10 log 10 [90 FR 11493, Mar. 7, 2025] § 26.303 Power limits. (a) 2025-2110 MHz. (1) +40 dBW in any 4 kHz band for u (2) +40+3 u u (3) Where u (b) 2200-2290 MHz. (1) −154 dB(W/m2) in any 4 kHz for angles of arrival less than 5° above the horizontal plane; (2) −154 + 0.5 (δ−5) dB(W/m2) in any 4 kHz for angles of arrival δ (degrees) between 5° and 25° above the horizontal plane; and (3) −144 dB(W/m2) in any 4 kHz for angles of arrival between 25° and 90° above the horizontal plane. (c) 2360-2395 MHz. [89 FR 63321, Aug. 5, 2024, as amended at 90 FR 11493, Mar. 7, 2025] § 26.304 [Reserved] § 26.305 Incorporation by reference. Certain material is incorporated by reference into this subpart with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. All approved incorporation by reference (IBR) material is available for inspection at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). Contact the FCC at the address indicated in § 0.401(a) of this chapter; phone: (202) 418-0270; email: [email protected]. www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations [email protected]. www.ntia.gov/office/office-spectrum-management-osm: (a) NTIA Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management, Annex J: Guidance for Determination of Necessary Bandwidth, NTIA Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management, January 2023 Revision (of the January 2021 Edition); IBR approved for § 26.302. (Available at www.ntia.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/j_2021_edition_rev_2023.pdf. (b) NTIA Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management, Annex M: Measurement Methods, January 2023 Revision (of the January 2021 Edition); IBR approved for § 26.302. (Available at www.ntia.gov/sites/default/files/2023-11/m_2021_edition_rev_2023.pdf.