The FCC's Spectrum Dilemma: When Space Launch Collides With Flight Test

Accelerating space launch is a top national security priority.  So is flight testing for the U.S. Air Force’s new B-21 stealth bomber, the F-47 fighter, and the Navy’s unmanned MQ-25 Stingray drone, and yes, air taxis. Yet a petition pending at the Federal Communications Commission is trying to rush forward a new path to more spectrum allocation for space launch.  Taking a Wild, Wild West approach to opening up spectrum could seriously slow the pace of military and commercial flight test all across America. 

This goes far, far beyond a Washington, D.C., pile up.  Many companies like Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Bell Textron, and more all count on extensive flight test procedures. It’s space launch innovators vs. the whole U.S. aerospace sector, which by the way, generates $1 trillion per year and an export surplus of $109.2 billion, making it the nation’s largest manufacturing trade surplus.

For decades, it was relatively easy to separate occasional space launches from the steady stream of flight testing.  The booming space economy and national security programs like the Space Data Network are beginning to change the situation.   “With over 180 launches from U.S. soil in 2025, launch capacity at existing launch sites is already strained by licensing, facilities, and government processes on the ground,” a recent study concluded.  Bold plans anticipate 1,000 space launches per year in the USA by 2030. 

Without a doubt, America’s space launch capacity is strained. However, there are approximately 600 aeronautical mobile telemetry sites supporting commercial and military flight tests functioning across the United States. 

Flight testing requires uninterrupted wireless transmission of data, known as aeronautical mobile telemetry, or AMT for short.  An aircraft in test is transmitting thousands of data points per second as engineering teams on the ground monitor engines, pressures, landing gear, and more.  Tracking aircraft in flight test involves literally a room full of people monitoring dozens of screens. On military aircraft, the telemetry is also relaying data on the performance of electronic warfare systems, missiles, and other payloads.  The B-52, which first flew in 1954, is still undergoing flight testing as the bomber receives radar and engine upgrades.

Many military flight test ranges operate 24/7.  Test aircraft fly in different geographic locations and under all types of conditions: snow, wet runways, etc.  All contribute to certifying that aircraft can operate safely.  U.S. missile programs also depend on the aeronautical mobile telemetry links.  And on top of that, don’t forget Joby, positioning to be the flying Uber of the future.  That’s going to take a lot of flight testing.

Over the long term, the FCC wants to achieve “spectrum abundance for space launch activities” and ensure reliable access to spectrum.   The problem is that the FCC has been asked to consider a rushed idea: scrapping coordination mechanisms and shoving aside coordination mechanisms and giving space launch automatic top priority in key spectrum bands, regardless of other uses. 

This problem has landed in the lap of the FCC because it is responsible for the spectrum allocation.  Two years ago, Congress passed the Launch Communications Act, which tasked the FCC with streamlining access to spectrum for space launch.  The FCC responded by assigning space launches a secondary priority for portions of the L, S and C-bands.   The current process requires space launches to coordinate with the flight test community via notification procedures. 

“It doesn’t matter that we make the best, most innovative rockets if they spend weeks waiting to launch,” pointed out Dave Cavossa of the Commercial Space Federation (CSF.)  A CSF petition has called on the FCC to give space launch top priority for spectrum and to eliminate longstanding coordination procedures.

Clearing a launch requires coordination with the Space Force ranges at Cape Canaveral or Vandenberg, road closures and, of course, spectrum allocation for communication with the rocket and its payload as it heads to orbit.  As the rocket ascends, the spectrum footprint gets very big, very fast.  Reserving spectrum can blot out other telemetry in an area from San Diego to Seattle if the launch comes out of Vandenberg, for example.  That would impact prime military flight test ranges at Edwards Air Force Base in California and the Navy’s weapons test range at China Lake, not to mention whatever secretive projects may need telemetry at Area 51 or elsewhere in Nevada. 

The impact on flight testing for manned and unmanned, military and civilian aircraft is just too destructive.  One idea proposed to the FCC is to eliminate the Aerospace and Flight Test Radio Coordinating Council.  This body, set up in 1954, deconflicts flight tests and space launch.  Abandoning the AFTRCC coordination mechanism is a recipe for disaster. 

Here’s an example of what could go wrong.  If both a space launch and a flight test occur at the same time, the antenna will collect information from both telemetry streams.  There you are, trying to monitor your project data, when the corrupted telemetry stream wrongly tells you the air taxi is heading for low Earth orbit.  Obviously, the interference invalidates the flight test.  Spoiled data will delay programs and compromise launch and on-orbit checkout. 

Nor is it wise to substitute a voluntary database for the current coordination process.  Sensitive military programs cannot be expected to log their data in a public-access spreadsheet shared by everyone who wants to use the spectrum.  Commercial companies will not be keen to share their sensitive, proprietary test schedules. 

The safe move is for the FCC to set aside the CSF petition.  The FCC, under Chairman Brendan Carr, has set a swift pace for rules and reforms that assist innovation.  “The United States sits at the dawn of a new Golden Age of space innovation,” Carr said.  His goal is to speed up, simplify, and open abundant spectrum.  “Big picture, our goal is to make sure the U.S. is friendliest environment in the world for people to start, grow and or accelerate their space operations.” 

The same must apply to military and commercial aircraft. 

Dr. Rebecca Grant is a national security analyst based in Washington, DC specializing in defense and aerospace research and national security consulting.

This article appeared originally at Lexington Institute.