[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57424-57426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-23333]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-0678]


Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission

AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, 
and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the 
Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the 
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to 
comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested 
concerning: Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary 
for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, 
including whether the information shall have practical utility; the 
accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the 
quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to 
minimize the burden of the collection of information on the 
respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the 
information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer 
than 25 employees.
    The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information 
unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be 
subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of 
information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before December 
24, 2019. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but 
find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this 
notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email 
[email protected] and to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the 
information collection, contact Cathy Williams at 202-418-2918.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    OMB Control No.: 3060-0678.
    Title: Part 25 of the Commission's Rules Governing the Licensing 
of, and Spectrum Usage by, Satellite Network Stations and Space 
Stations.
    Form No: FCC Form 312, FCC Form 312-EZ, FCC Form 312-R and 
Schedules A, B and S.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities and Not-for-
profit institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 6,524 respondents; 6,573 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 0.5-80 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion, one time, and annual reporting 
requirements; third-party disclosure requirement; recordkeeping 
requirement.
    Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The 
Commission has statutory authority for the information collection 
requirements under 47 U.S.C. 154, 301, 302, 303, 307, 309, 310, 319, 
332, 605, and 721.
    Total Annual Burden: 44,992 hours.
    Total Annual Cost: $16,612,586.
    Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s).
    Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for 
confidentiality pertaining to the information collection requirements 
in this collection.
    Needs and Uses: On August 2, 2019, the Commission released a Report 
and Order, FCC 19-81, in IB Docket No. 18-86, titled ``Streamlining 
Licensing Procedures for Small Satellites'' (Small Satellite Report and 
Order). In this Report and Order, the Commission adopted a new 
alternative, optional licensing process for small satellites and 
spacecraft, called the ``Part 25 streamlined small satellite process.'' 
This new process allows qualifying applicants for small satellites and 
spacecraft to take advantage of an easier application process, a lower 
application fee, and a shorter timeline for review than currently 
exists for applicants under the Commission's existing Part 25 satellite 
licensing rules. The Commission limited the regulatory burdens borne by 
applicants, while promoting orbital debris mitigation and

[[Page 57425]]

efficient use of spectrum. The Commission's action supports and 
encourages the increasing innovation in the small satellite sector and 
helps to preserve U.S. leadership in space-based services and 
operations. This information collection will provide the Commission and 
the public with necessary information about the operations of this 
growing area of satellite operations. While this information collection 
represents an overall increase in the burden hours, the increase is due 
to an anticipated overall increase in number of applications as a 
result of additional applications being filed under the streamlined 
process adopted in the Small Satellite Report and Order. This 
information collection represents a decrease in the paperwork burdens 
for individual operators of non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites 
who may now qualify for streamlined processing as small satellites, and 
serves the public interest by streamlining the collection of 
information and allowing the Commission to authorize small satellites 
and spacecraft under the new process established in the Report and 
Order.
    Specifically, FCC 19-81 contains new or modified information 
collection requirements listed below:
    (1) Space station application requirements for qualifying small 
satellites and small spacecraft have been specified in new sections 
25.122 and 25.123, respectively. These new sections, including the 
certifications, incorporate some existing information requirements from 
other sections, but eliminate the need for small satellite and 
spacecraft applicants to provide much of the information that part 25 
space station applicants would typically be required to provide in 
narrative format under section 25.114(d). The new or modified 
informational requirements in sections 25.122 and 25.123 are listed as 
follows:
    a. For small satellite applications filed under section 25.122, a 
certification that the space stations will operate in non-geostationary 
orbit, or for small spacecraft applications filed under section 25.123, 
a certification that the space station(s) will operate and be disposed 
of beyond Earth's orbit.
    b. A certification that the total in-orbit lifetime for any 
individual space station will be six years or less.
    c. For small satellite applications filed under 25.122, a 
certification that the space station(s) will either be deployed at an 
orbital altitude of 600 km or below, or will maintain a propulsions 
system and have the ability to make collision avoidance and deorbit 
maneuvers using propulsion. This certification will not apply to small 
spacecraft applications filed under section 25.123.
    d. A certification that each space station will be identifiable by 
a unique signal-based telemetry marker distinguishing it from other 
space stations or space objects.
    e. A certification that the space station(s) will release no 
operational debris.
    f. A certification that the space station operator has assessed and 
limited the probability of accidental explosions resulting from the 
conversion of energy sources on board the space station(s) into energy 
that fragments the spacecraft.
    g. A certification that the probability of a collision between each 
space station and any other large object (10 centimeters or larger) 
during the orbital lifetime of the space station is 0.001 or less as 
calculated using current NASA software or other higher fidelity model.
    h. For small satellite applications filed under section 25.122, a 
certification that the space station(s) will be disposed of through 
atmospheric re-entry, and that the probability of human casualty from 
portions of the spacecraft surviving re-entry and reaching the surface 
of the Earth is zero as calculated using current NASA software or 
higher fidelity models. This certification will not apply to small 
spacecraft applications filed under section 25.123.
    i. A certification that operations of the space station(s) will be 
compatible with existing operations in the authorized frequency band(s) 
and will not materially constrain future space station entrants from 
using the authorized frequency bands.
    j. A certification that the space station(s) can be commanded by 
command originating from the ground to immediately cease transmissions 
and the licensee will have the capability to eliminate harmful 
interference when required under the terms of the license or other 
applicable regulations.
    k. A certification that each space station is 10 cm or larger in 
its smallest dimension.
    l. For small satellite applications filed under section 25.122, a 
certification that each space station will have a mass of 180 kg or 
less, including any propellant. For small spacecraft applications filed 
under section 25.123, a certification that each space station will have 
a mass of 500 kg of less, including any propellant.
    m. A description of means by which requested spectrum could be 
shared with both current and future operators (e.g., how ephemeris data 
will be shared, antenna design, earth station geographic locations) 
thereby not materially constraining other operations in the requested 
frequency bands.
    n. For space stations with any means of maneuverability, including 
both active and passive means, a description of the design and 
operation of maneuverability and deorbit systems, and a description of 
the anticipated evolution over time of the orbit of the proposed 
satellite or satellites.
    o. In any instances where spacecraft capable of having crew aboard 
will be located at or below the deployment orbital altitude of the 
space station seeking a license, a description of the design and 
operational strategies that will be used to avoid in-orbit collision 
with such crewed spacecraft shall be furnished at the time of 
application. This narrative requirement will not apply to space 
stations that will operate beyond Earth's orbit.
    p. A list of the FCC file numbers or call signs for any known 
applications or Commission grants related to the proposed operations 
(e.g., experimental license grants, other space station or earth 
station applications or grants).
    (2) The informational requirements listed in section 25.137 for 
requests for U.S.-market access through non-U.S.-licensed space 
stations were also modified to refer to sections 25.122 and 25.123, for 
those applicants seeking U.S. market access under the small satellite 
or spacecraft process.
    This collection is also used by staff in carrying out United States 
treaty obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO) Basic 
Telecom Agreement. The information collected is used for the practical 
and necessary purposes of assessing the legal, technical, and other 
qualifications of applicants; determining compliance by applicants, 
licensees, and other grantees with Commission rules and the terms and 
conditions of their grants; and concluding whether, and under what 
conditions, grant of an authorization will serve the public interest, 
convenience, and necessity.
    As technology advances and new spectrum is allocated for satellite 
use, applicants for satellite service will continue to submit the 
information required in 47 CFR part 25 of the Commission's rules. 
Without such information, the Commission could not determine whether to 
permit respondents to provide telecommunication services in the United 
States. Therefore, the Commission would be unable to fulfill its 
statutory responsibilities in accordance with the Communications Act of 
1934, as amended, and the

[[Page 57426]]

obligations imposed on parties to the WTO Basic Telecom Agreement.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-23333 Filed 10-24-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P