Ep. 11: Orbiting Innovation - The Impact and Regulation of Low Earth Orbit Satellites
Tech On The Hill: Episode 11
In this episode, Tom Romanoff is joined by expert Carissa Christensen, delves into how LEO satellites, which orbit closer to Earth, enhance broadband connectivity with reduced latency compared to traditional geostationary satellites used for broadcasting.
The discussion also covers the competitive landscape in the LEO sector, highlighting key players like Starlink, OneWeb, and Amazon’s Project Kuiper. They discuss regulatory challenges and the importance of updating rules to accommodate the rapid increase in satellite deployments and the need for efficient spectrum management.
Key regulatory considerations include managing space traffic and avoiding orbital debris, with the FCC playing a pivotal role through its newly established Space Bureau. The episode concludes with insights on integrating space policy into broader national policy discussions to leverage these technologies for economic and national security benefits.