AstroForge Makes History: First-Ever Commercial Deep Space Spectrum License Approved by the FCC

On Friday, October 18th, AstroForge became the first company to receive a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate a commercial mission in deep space, which the International Telecommunications Union defines as greater than 2 million kilometers from Earth. This historic approval for the Odin spacecraft marks a significant leap forward for the future of deep space commercial activities and resource extraction.

In space exploration, getting to an asteroid is only part of the challenge. Communication plays a critical role in ensuring the success of missions. For the first time, a purely commercial entity now has permission to operate on the farthest frontiers of space. Per the Commission's Part 5 experimental licensing, this authorization gives us both approval for the flight and the green light to establish communication networks with our ground partners that will enable near real-time data transmission and operational oversight as the Odin spacecraft travels deep into the solar system. It also positions AstroForge at the forefront of the deep space commercial ecosystem, setting a precedent for future companies looking to achieve similar feats in deep space.

We thank everyone at the FCC who helped with this application, including the Office of Engineering and Technology, the Space Bureau, Chairwoman Rosenworcel and her team, and especially Commissioner Simington and his team for their continued support. A huge thank you to Peter Dohm who helped lead the effort to get this application across the line and approved. The approval of this license is not just a step forward for us; it’s a step forward for humanity’s future in space. 

With the FCC’s authorization, we are now full steam ahead in final preparations for our second mission. As we continue to pioneer new frontiers, we remain dedicated to our vision of building a sustainable future for Earth by looking to asteroids for resources.

AstroForge CTO, Jose Acain, discusses our mission with FCC Chairwoman, Jessica Rosenworcel.