SpaceX, Blue Origin Can Use Airwaves During Rocket Launches

Space Exploration Technologies Corp., Blue Origin LLC and other commercial space companies will be able to use a swath of airwaves for communications during rocket launches under a FCC order.

The plan, adopted unanimously Thursday, marks the first time the FCC has allocated spectrum to be used during commercial space launches, which increased from seven in 2012 to 39 in 2020, according to the agency.

SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic, Virgin Orbit, and Relatively Space Inc. expressed their support for the plan, which will let them use the 2200-2290 MHz band to transmit diagnostic data between the launch craft and ...