FCC decides to expand its power in space – Behind The Black – Robert Zimmerman

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today voted to initiate what it calls a “Notice of Inquiry” to begin a policy review aimed at expanding its involvement and regulation of “space missions like satellite refueling, inspecting and repairing in-orbit spacecraft, capturing and removing debris, and transforming materials through manufacturing while in space.”

…Note how none of these [items] has anything to do with the electromagnetic spectrum, the regulation of which is the sole and only real responsibility of the Federal Communications Commission.

Yet, the Federal Communications Commission now seems to think it has a place on the table in regulating future manufacturing in space, satellite refueling, satellite repair, and the removal of space junk. How the hell did assigning and licensing frequency spectrum for communications suddenly morph into the right to regulate almost all aspects of business in space?….