Nuclear Power in Space: The UN Principles, US Launch Rules and the Race for a Lunar Reactor
Nuclear power in space explained: the 1992 UN Principles, NSPM-20 launch approval tiers, Cosmos 954 and the US plan for a lunar…
Topic
United States
Reflect Orbital’s Space Mirror: The FCC Licensed the Radio, Not the Sunlight
Reflect Orbital's Earendil-1 licence was reissued on 9 October. Why the FCC says the mirror itself is beyond its reach, and what…
FCC Part 100: What the 7 October Guidance Means for Satellite Milestones and Surety Bonds
FCC Part 100 guidance of 7 October 2026 explains how satellite operators can switch to new milestones, drop surety bonds, and the…
Commercial Space11 min read
11 min
Satellite Export Controls Explained: ITAR, the EAR and Launching Abroad
Satellite export controls explained: how ITAR and the EAR split spacecraft, what counts as an export, rules for launching abroad and the October proposal.
Regulatory Updates11 min read
11 min
Direct-to-Device Rules: SpaceX’s 15,000-Satellite Licence and the FCC’s Plan to Rewrite SCS
Direct-to-device rules are being rewritten: what SpaceX's 15,000-satellite licence and the FCC's 29 October vote on 13 SCS bands mean for operators.
Regulatory Updates11 min read
11 min
TraCSS and EU SST: What Their Joint Study on Sharing Space Traffic Data Shows
TraCSS and EU SST compared collision warnings for the same satellites. What the 7 October study shows about operator data, FCC rules and TraCSS funding.
Regulatory Updates10 min read
10 min
Upper C-Band Transition: What the FCC’s $6.3 Billion Clearing Plan Means for Satellite Operators
The Upper C-band transition moves satellite downlinks to 4.16-4.2 GHz by 2031. What the FCC order, the 19 October notices and Auction 115 mean for operators.
Regulatory Updates13 min read
13 min
From 25 to 456 Launches a Year: The FAA Opens Its Biggest Starship Environmental Review Yet
The FAA's Starship environmental review at Starbase will test up to 456 launches a year. What the October 2026 notices cover, the Florida reviews and deadlines.
Regulatory Updates11 min read
11 min
The FAA’s Five Part 450 Proposals: Small Fixes, a 4 November Deadline and a Bigger Fight Behind Them
The FAA's five Part 450 proposals of 5 October 2026 explained: what changes for launch licence applicants, who benefits, and the 4 November deadline.
Explainers12 min read
12 min
Remote Sensing Licences: How NOAA Regulates Commercial Earth Observation Satellites
How a NOAA remote sensing licence works: who needs one, the three tiers in 15 CFR Part 960, the 60-day review clock and the licensing office's…
Explainers11 min read
11 min
The Artemis Accords Explained: What They Say, Who Has Signed and Why It Matters
The Artemis Accords explained: what the text says, why Sections 10 and 11 matter for lunar mining, and who the 76 signatories are as of October…
Explainers15 min read
15 min
Space Tourism: Who Flies, What It Costs and What the Law Says About Safety
Space tourism now spans ten-minute suborbital hops, private orbital flights and paid stays on the ISS, at prices from $750,000 to a reported $55 million. This…