Astrolab Wants Spectrum Sharing on the Moon

The waiver requests in Lockheed Martin's pending application for a lunar surface and lunar orbit communications network (see 2303160002) run contrary to the shared and equitable frequency use needed for lunar operations, Astrolab told the FCC Space Bureau last week. "Rather than hastily granting broad spectrum rights to any one party ahead of broader government and international decisions," the FCC should follow spectrum management principles such as clear interference protections for shared use of lunar frequencies and neutral authorizations and sharing of spectrum among lunar systems and services, it said. Astrolab says it's developing a multipurpose rover to operate semi-autonomously on the moon, with its first commercial mission expected in 2026. It said it intends to seek FCC approval for the rover's radio system. It also urged FCC coordination of its approaches to Lockheed Martin and other commercial operations on the moon with other federal agencies' lunar activities and planning.