Regulatory and Legal Framework
Which licences and treaties govern a space datacenter, and how long do they take?
Chapter summary
Authorisation spans international treaties, ITU spectrum coordination, national launch and operating licences, and data protection law. Spectrum is usually the longest lead item; data sovereignty is the most commercially consequential.
Key takeaways
- 1
Budget 24–48 months for full frequency authorisation, longer in congested bands.
- 2
Large constellations typically must deploy 50% within six years of licence grant.
- 3
GDPR penalties reach €20M or 4% of global turnover; foreign ownership above 25% of a US licensee needs FCC approval.
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