[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]
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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.
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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
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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
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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