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Satellites and Ground Stations
We provide one-stop legal services shopping to satellite manufacturers, operators and transponder lessees. Our work involves all different types of satellite systems - voice, data, video, direct broadcast, global positioning, and remote sensing. We routinely assist our satellite clients with matters arising before the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration ("NTIA"), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ("NOAA"), and international regulatory bodies such as the International Telecommunication Union ("ITU"). This includes obtaining licenses from the FCC for both the space and ground segments of a system, advising on the international frequency coordination process at the ITU, coordinating with NTIA on spectrum issues, and addressing legislative and policy issues that affect our clients' businesses. We also help with satellite procurement contracts, transponder sales and lease agreements and in the drafting and negotiation of satellite in-orbit insurance contracts and in the processing of claims under those contracts.
Examples of our experience:
- Helping a U.S. commercial remote sensing satellite operator obtain a license from NOAA under the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act, and from the FCC under its rules. This also involved frequency coordination issues under the ITU's Radio Regulations.
- Advising communications satellite operators on securing licenses under Part 25 (Satellite Communications) of the FCC's rules and on corresponding ITU coordination issues.
- Helping ground support services providers obtain special temporary authority (STA) from the FCC for earth stations that receive signals from satellites.
- Advising operators and investors on issues arising in connection with the transfer and assignment of existing space segment and terrestrial communications licenses when an operator (license holder) is sold or in a bankruptcy proceeding.
- Participating in the drafting and negation of satellite purchase agreements involving nearly every major satellite manufacturer in the world.
- Helping established and new satellite operators draft and negotiate transponder sales and transponder lease agreements.
- Assisting numerous satellite manufacturers and operators on the drafting and negotiation of satellite in-orbit insurance policies, complying with requirements to maintain such insurance and processing claims.
- Preparing testimony for witnesses appearing before Congressional committees on issues affecting the satellite industry.
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