Licensing timeline check

FCC Part 25 streamlined small-satellite license

FCC Space Bureau · 47 CFR 25.122

Applies when: US operator, commercial service, transmitter on board, ≤10 satellites, ≤180 kg each (incl. propellant), ≥10 cm, non-GSO, deployed at or below 600 km or with propulsion, lifetime ≤6 years.

FCC Part 25 space station license (standard)

FCC Space Bureau · 47 CFR Part 25

Applies when: US operator, commercial service, transmitter on board, and the streamlined small-satellite criteria are not met.

FCC Part 5 experimental license (or STA)

FCC Office of Engineering and Technology · 47 CFR Part 5

Applies when: US operator, experiment / demo / research mission, transmitter on board. Experiments of 6 months or less file a Special Temporary Authority; longer ones use Form 442.

FCC U.S. market access (only if you'll talk to US earth stations)

FCC Space Bureau · 47 CFR Part 25

Applies when: Non-US operator with a transmitter that will communicate with earth stations in the US or serve the US. Your own national license comes first.

ITU frequency filing (API / notification)

ITU Radiocommunication Bureau, via your administration (FCC for US operators) · ITU Radio Regulations Art. 9 and 11

Applies when: Any satellite with a transmitter. US operators file through the FCC with their application; non-US operators file through their national administration.

NOAA commercial remote sensing license

NOAA Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs (Office of Space Commerce) · 15 CFR Part 960

Applies when: US operator (or anyone subject to US jurisdiction) with a sensor that images or senses the Earth. Start with CRSRA's initial contact; NOAA can tell you whether a license is needed.

FAA payload review (through your launch provider)

FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation · 14 CFR 450.43

Applies when: Your satellite flies on an FAA-licensed launch (US commercial launches). The launch operator normally requests it; a payload owner or operator may also apply. The FAA checks that you hold all required licenses (FCC, NOAA).

Applies if you end up on a US commercial launch.

Export controls: EAR or ITAR

Commerce BIS (EAR) · State DDTC (ITAR) · 15 CFR Parts 730-774 · 22 CFR Parts 120-130

Applies when: US operator. Classify the spacecraft and its parts (most commercial spacecraft are under the EAR, e.g. ECCN 9A515; some items stay on the USML, Category XV). A license may be needed to ship to a foreign launch site or integrator, or to share technical data with foreign persons.

US export rules on US-origin parts

Commerce BIS (EAR) · State DDTC (ITAR) · 15 CFR Parts 730-774 · 22 CFR Parts 120-130

Applies when: Non-US operator whose spacecraft has US-origin parts or technology, or that ships hardware through the US for launch. US re-export rules can follow those items; your launch provider or integrator will ask.

Orbital debris plan and the 5-year disposal rule

FCC (part of your FCC application) · 47 CFR 25.114(d)(14), 5.64(b)(7)

Applies when: Any FCC-authorized satellite (including market access). Below 2,000 km, disposal by atmospheric re-entry must happen “as soon as practicable, but no later than five years following completion of the mission” (FCC 22-74, in force for satellites launched from 29 Sep 2024).

Your national space and radio regulator

Your national administration · National law

Applies when: Non-US operator. Most countries require a space-activity authorization, a radio license and the ITU filing through them; some also license Earth imaging.