The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) indicated space would be the next frontier in efforts to establish the nation as a global technology leader, with chair Brendan Carr (pictured) outlining plans to update regulations as part of a month-long focus on the sector.

Carr declared October Space Month during the opening of a satellite manufacturing facility in El Segundo, California, explaining the coming weeks would see the US regulator outline strategies to advance its Build America Agenda by focusing on the space economy.

He said President Donald Trump was leading the US into a “new golden age of innovation in space, one where US businesses are going to dominate.”

Carr noted the president previously acted to “streamline regulations and foster a commercial space industry”.

The FCC leader said the regulator would hold a vote on measures to shake up regulation of the space sector later this month.

Items on the agenda include plans to modernise licensing processes, replacing bespoke procedures with an assembly-line model intended to speed the issue of permissions for services which are in the public interest.

The FCC also wants to see simpler application processes and provide clarity on the timelines involved.

Spectrum is also on the bill: the FCC noted demand had soared in the decade since it introduced regulations covering the use of Upper Microwave Flexible Use bands for earth stations and stated it intends to explore options to reform siting rules to make the most of the airwaves.

Carr said the big picture is to ensure the “US is the friendliest regulatory environment in the world for innovators to start, to grow and to accelerate their space operations”.