[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 47 (Friday, March 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16769-16770]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05000]



[[Page 16769]]

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

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

[OMB 3060-1013; FR ID 207046]


Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal 
Communications Commission Under Delegated Authority

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 of 1995 (PRA), the 
Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the 
general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to 
comment on the following information collections. 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 Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) 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 OMB control number.

DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before May 7, 
2024. 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 to 
[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 Number: 3060-1013.
    Title: Mitigation of Orbital Debris.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities, not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Number of Respondents: 46 respondents; 46 responses.
    Estimated Time per Response: 8 hours.
    Frequency of Response: On occasion reporting 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. 151, 154(i), 301, 303, 307, 308, 309, and 
310.
    Total Annual Burden: 368 hours.
    Annual Cost Burden: $88,550,
    Needs and Uses: The Federal Communications Commission requests that 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve an extension of a 
currently approved collection titled ``Mitigation of Orbital Debris'' 
under OMB Control No. 3060-1013. In the past four years, the Commission 
adopted three orders related to orbital debris mitigation: (1) the 
Commission's Report and Order, FCC 20-54, IB Docket No. 18-313, titled 
``Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New Space Age'' (Orbital Debris 
Report and Order), and released on April 24, 2020; (2) the Commission's 
Second Report and Order, FCC 22-74, IB Docket No. 18-313, titled 
``Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New Space Age'' (Orbital Debris 
Second Report and Order); and (3) the Commission's Order on 
Reconsideration, FCC 24-6, IB Docket No. 18-313, titled ``Mitigation of 
Orbital Debris in the New Space Age'' (Orbital Debris Reconsideration 
Order).
    In the Orbital Debris Report and Order, the Commission updated its 
rules related to orbital debris mitigation, including application 
requirements. The rules are designed to ensure that (1) the 
Commission's actions concerning radio communications, including 
licensing U.S. spacecraft and granting access to the U.S. market for 
non-U.S. spacecraft, mitigate the growth of orbital debris, while at 
the same time not creating undue regulatory obstacles to new satellite 
ventures; and (2) Commission decisions are consistent with the public 
interest in space remaining viable for future satellites and systems 
and the many services that those systems provide to the public. The 
rules adopted by the Orbital Debris Report and Order also provided 
additional detail to applicants on what information is expected under 
the Commission's rules, which can help to increase certainty in the 
application filing process. The information collection serves the 
public interest by ensuring that the Commission and public have 
necessary information about satellite applicants' plans for mitigation 
of orbital debris.
    Specifically, the Orbital Debris Report and Order contained new or 
modified information collection requirements listed below, applicable 
to applicants seeking experimental licenses for satellite operations 
under part 5 of the Commission's rules, as well as to license grantees 
under part 97 submitting notifications to the Commission prior to 
launch of a satellite amateur station: \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The Orbital Debris Report and Order also added new and 
modified information collection requirements for satellite 
applicants under part 25 of the Commission's rules, which the 
Commission is in the process of seeking OMB approval separately.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (1) Existing disclosure requirements have been revised to include 
specific metrics in several areas, including: probability that the 
space stations will become a source of debris by collision with small 
debris and meteoroids that would cause loss of control and prevent 
disposal; probability of collision between any non-geostationary orbit 
(NGSO) space station and other large objects; and casualty risk 
associated with any individual spacecraft that will be disposed by 
atmospheric re-entry.
    (2) Where relevant, the disclosures must also include the 
following: use of separate deployment devices, distinct from the space 
station launch vehicle, that may become a source of orbital debris; 
potential release of liquids that will persist in droplet form; and any 
planned proximity operations and debris generation that will or may 
result from the proposed operations, including any planned release of 
debris, the risk of accidental explosions, the risk of accidental 
collision, and measures taken to mitigate those risks.
    (3) The existing disclosure requirement to analyze potential 
collision risk associated with space station(s) orbits has been 
modified to specify that the disclosure identify characteristics of the 
space station(s)' orbits that may present a collision risk, including 
any planned and/or operational space stations in those orbits, and 
indicate what steps, if any, have been taken to coordinate with the 
other spacecraft or system, or what other measures the operator plans 
to use to avoid collision.
    (4) For NGSO space stations that will transit through the orbits 
used by any inhabitable spacecraft, including the International Space 
Station, the disclosure must include the design and operational 
strategies, if any, that will be used to minimize the risk of collision 
and avoid posing any operational constraints to the inhabitable 
spacecraft.

[[Page 16770]]

    (5) The disclosure must include a certification that upon receipt 
of a space situational awareness conjunction warning, the operator will 
review and take all possible steps to assess the collision risk, and 
will mitigate the collision risk if necessary. As appropriate, steps to 
assess and mitigate the collision risk should include, but are not 
limited to: contacting the operator of any active spacecraft involved 
in such a warning; sharing ephemeris data and other appropriate 
operational information with any such operator; and modifying space 
station attitude and/or operations.
    (6) For NGSO space stations the disclosure must describe the extent 
of satellite maneuverability.
    (7) The disclosure must address trackability of the space 
station(s). For NGSO space stations, the disclosure must also include: 
(a) how the operator plans to identify the space station(s) following 
deployment and whether the space station tracking will be active or 
passive; (b) whether, prior to deployment the space station(s) will be 
registered with the 18th Space Control Squadron or successor entity; 
and (c) the extent to which the space station operator plans to share 
information regarding initial deployment, ephemeris, and/or planned 
maneuvers with the 18th Space Control Squadron or successor entity, 
other entities that engage in space situational awareness or space 
traffic management functions, and/or other operators.
    (8) For NGSO space stations, additional disclosures must be 
provided regarding spacecraft disposal, including, for some space 
stations, a demonstration that the probability of success of the chosen 
disposal method is 0.9 or greater for any individual space station, and 
for multi-satellite systems, a demonstration including additional 
information regarding efforts to achieve a higher probability of 
success.
    The information collection requirements are contained in 47 CFR 
5.64 and 47 CFR 97.207.
    In the 2022 Orbital Debris Second Report and Order, the Commission 
required all space stations ending their mission in, or passing 
through, the low earth orbit (LEO) region, and planning disposal though 
uncontrolled atmospheric re-entry following the completion of the 
mission, to complete disposal as soon as practicable, and no later than 
five years after the end of the mission. The Orbital Debris Second 
Report and Order did not modify information collected under 47 CFR 5.64 
and 47 CFR 97.207.
    In the 2024 Orbital Debris Reconsideration Order, the Commission 
upheld the current regulatory environment for orbital debris 
mitigation, and provided additional clarity and guidance for satellite 
operators while reinforcing the Commission's commitment to space 
safety. The Orbital Debris Reconsideration Order did not modify 
information collected under 47 CFR 5.64 and 47 CFR 97.207.

Federal Communications Commission.
Marlene Dortch,
Secretary, Office of the Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-05000 Filed 3-7-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6712-01-P