Space and Satellite

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Aerospace · Space Technology

Space and satellite companies get counsel on protecting innovations, securing FCC, FAA, and NOAA approvals, complying with international space law, and structuring the commercial ventures driving the new space economy.

Commercial space is no longer a government-only arena, and the legal framework is racing to keep up. We work with launch providers, satellite operators, and space technology companies on the regulatory approvals, international obligations, IP, and commercial deals behind launching hardware, operating constellations, and building a business above the atmosphere.

Launch And Spectrum Licensing

Almost nothing in space happens without a license, and they come from several agencies at once. We handle FCC licensing for satellites and spectrum, FAA launch and reentry authorizations, and NOAA permits for remote sensing systems. We coordinate spectrum filings and orbital slots, manage interference and coordination issues with other operators, and keep your authorizations current as your mission profile changes.

International Space Law

Space activity answers to treaties and conventions, not just domestic regulators. We counsel on Outer Space Treaty obligations, the liability and registration conventions, and the national space legislation that implements them. We structure international cooperation and data-sharing agreements, advise on debris mitigation and space sustainability requirements, and help you stay compliant as norms around orbital operations continue to harden.

Commercial Space Ventures

Behind every mission is a stack of commercial agreements with real money and real risk on the line. We negotiate launch services contracts, satellite procurement and hosted payload deals, and ground station and data services agreements. We protect your IP in spacecraft and ground systems, allocate liability for launch and on-orbit failures, and structure the financing and joint ventures that get a space company off the ground.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on what you're doing, and often several at once. The FCC licenses your communications spectrum and orbital use, the FAA licenses launch and reentry operations, and NOAA licenses commercial remote-sensing systems that image the Earth. Each has its own application, timeline, and conditions, so you should map the full approval path early because these processes can take many months and gate your business plan.

Yes, you can patent satellites, propulsion systems, deployment mechanisms, and onboard software the same way you would any invention. U.S. patent law also has a specific provision treating inventions used on a spacecraft under U.S. jurisdiction as if used within the United States, which extends protection beyond the ground. Because launches and operations are international, though, you should consider foreign filings in the countries where competitors manufacture or operate.

Under the international space framework, the launching state bears liability for damage caused by its space objects, which flows back to operators through licensing conditions and indemnity requirements. That means your government can hold you responsible, so your launch and operations contracts need clear risk allocation, and you typically must carry insurance as a license condition. Debris mitigation and collision-avoidance plans are increasingly required and also reduce your liability exposure.

Use carefully aligned agreements so risk and responsibility don't fall through the gaps between vendors. Launch services agreements commonly include cross-waivers of liability, which the FAA framework supports, so each party absorbs its own losses; your payload, hosting, and ground-segment contracts should fit that allocation rather than contradict it. Spell out milestones, what happens on launch failure or delay, data rights, and IP ownership for anything developed jointly.

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