Alert 03.27.24
FCC Advances Its Space and Satellite Agenda
Recent actions by the Federal Communications Commission indicate its support for the country’s space-based economy and national security interests.
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The commercial challenges—and related legal considerations—that accompany the exploration and utilization of space are no longer issues of the future.
Investment in the sector is pouring in as innovative startups finance and launch ambitious new tools to aggregate and share space data, mine off-Earth minerals and resources, clean up debris to protect space-based assets, deploy solar cells to generate power, and advance additive and other in-space manufacturing solutions. Continued developments in satellite technology—such as SmallSats, CubeSats and Low Earth Orbit mega constellations—are rapidly improving high-speed internet access and telecommunications reliability. Space tourism, once limited to the pages of science fiction, is now verging on mainstream. And government entities are increasingly embracing public-private partnerships to achieve federal space objectives and bolster national security.
Pillsbury’s Space Law team helps clients anticipate and tackle these and the myriad other issues that accompany the arrival of the “final frontier.” Our lawyers help NewSpace businesses secure the financing needed to bring new ideas to market and protect the intellectual property that defines them. We work with established companies as they acquire and deploy space-related technologies and advise satellite manufacturers and telecom providers on agency approvals, licensing, international trade and sanctions matters, and a host of other complex compliance challenges. We also draft and negotiate space-related commercial contracts and defend clients’ positions when those rights and agreements are violated, both in and out of court.
Emerging Companies and Venture Capital
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