Space Bureau Accepts For Filing SpaceX's Application for Orbital Data Centers

The Federal Communications Commission's Space Bureau (Bureau) accepted for filing and seeks comment on an application by Space Exploration Holdings, LLC (SpaceX) for a new non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) system of up to one million satellites. This satellite system will represent the “first step towards becoming a Kardashev II-level civilization – one that can harness the Sun’s full power,” according to SpaceX. The System will operate at altitudes ranging from 500 km to 2,000 km and in 30 degree and sun-synchronous orbit inclinations within orbital shells spanning up to 50 km each.  The proposed satellites will use high-bandwidth optical inter-satellite links and conduct telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) operations. SpaceX’s proposed System will primarily rely on optical intersatellite-links, which may connect with other satellites in the proposed System and with satellites in SpaceX’s first- and second-generation Starlink systems. SpaceX requests authority to use the 18.3-19.3 GHz (space-to-Earth) and 28.6-29.1 GHz (Earth-to-space) frequency bands on a non-interference, unprotected basis. In connection with its application, SpaceX requests the following waivers of the FCC’s rules:

• Waiver of sections 25.156(d) and 25.157 of the NGSO processing and processing round procedures to allow for consideration of its application for the requested use of the 18.3-19.3 GHz and 28.6-29.1 GHz frequency bands outside of a processing round.
• Waiver of section 25.164 to exempt the System from the NGSO milestone requirements and deployment obligations.
• Waiver of section 25.165 to exempt the System from the NGSO surety bond requirements and obligations.
• Waiver, to the extent necessary, of section 25.114(a)(1) governing information to be submitted on the FCC’s Schedule S form, with specific regard to channel plans for licensed beams, uplink and downlink beams, command beams, and orbital plane configurations. 

Comments/Petitions Due: March 6, 2026 Response to Comments/Oppositions to Petition Due: March 16, 2026 Replies to Responses/Oppositions Due: March 23, 2026