FCC Sets Rules For Cellular-Satellite Coverage

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Could a recent FCC action start narrowing the gap between cellular and satellite networks for mobile phone users?

The communications industry calls it "supplemental coverage from space," or SCS. It is the ability of mobile phones to seamlessly tap into satellite service in remote areas where cellular communication is not available. That capability became more of a reality on the 14th of March when the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules that will guide the industry in making this possible.

“We won’t need to think about what network, where and what services are available. Connections will just work everywhere, all the time.”
— FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel

The FCC praised the new rules as setting the stage for a potentially life-saving service and called the new regulations the first of their kind for SCS.

The move comes as wireless companies begin signing collaboration deals with satellite operators to provide this kind of expanded coverage. Although Verizon does not yet have such a deal, companies in the US, such as AT&T and T-Mobile, each have one in place.

FCC - https://www.fcc.gov/

ARISS Celebrates 40 Years of Hams on the Radio Space

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ARISS Celebrates 40 Years of Hams on the Radio Space

ARISS celebrated the positive impact of 40 years of amateur radio on human space flight at its conference held late last month at the Centre for Space Education: Astronauts Memorial Foundation near the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. One hundred and ten leaders, volunteers and fans of the program gathered to hear and see memorabilia from the past four decades and got a look into how to rocket into the future.

Keynote speaker Richard Garriott, ex-W5KWQ, inspired the group toward a bold future and passed his license exam at the conference to become re-licensed. His previous license had lapsed not long ago.

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Lunar Lander Still Functions Despite Landing Issues

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Troubles with the first US-built lunar lander in 50 years have apparently not kept the spacecraft from staying in touch. Jack Parker W8ISH explains what happened.

Builders of the private moonlander that made its historic touchdown near a lunar crater on the 22nd of February, said the spacecraft is successfully sending and receiving communications despite having tipped over during its final descent near the moon's south pole. Flight engineers have told the company that Odysseus is now resting on its side, propped up on a rock, but that the mission is not imperiled. Intuitive Machines of Houston, Texas has given assurances that five of the six NASA payloads designed to conduct experiments are on sections of Odysseus that can send and receive communications. The NASA payloads will collect space weather and lunar surface information as well as conduct demonstrations of communication and navigation.

The lander is the first US-built spacecraft to land on the moon in five decades.

More Information - https://apnews.com/article/moon-landing-nasa-private-922cd949be8b41ce4fc33d2ba373757e