AstroForge has become the first private company to receive a deep space operations license from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The approval, awarded on Friday, October 18, allows AstroForge to launch and operate its Odin spacecraft in deep space—defined by the International Telecommunications Union as any area beyond 2 million kilometers from Earth. This unprecedented milestone positions AstroForge at the forefront of commercial space activities far beyond Earth’s orbit, setting a new precedent for private sector involvement in deep space.
Startup aims to mine asteroids for valuable minerals at a lower cost and with a smaller carbon footprint than mining on Earth. Credit: AstroForge
The FCC's approval of Odin goes beyond mere flight permission. Under Part 5 of the FCC's experimental licensing, AstroForge is now authorized to establish communications networks that will enable near real-time data transmission and operational control from millions of kilometers away. This capability is vital to the mission’s success, as effective and reliable communication is crucial for managing spacecraft operations at such extreme distances. Odin’s mission will be the first of its kind led solely by a commercial entity, marking a significant step in humanity’s journey into deep space.
AstroForge sees this achievement as a pioneering leap toward a sustainable future, with asteroids potentially offering a wealth of untapped resources. According to AstroForge representatives, the company’s vision is not only to explore but to extract resources from these distant celestial bodies, bringing asteroid mining closer to reality and advancing the dream of building a resource-sustaining space economy.
"This license isn’t just a step forward for us at AstroForge—it’s a step forward for humanity’s future in space," AstroForge noted in a statement. The company also expressed gratitude to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, Commissioner Nathan Simington, and their teams, as well as the Office of Engineering and Technology and the Space Bureau, for their roles in guiding the application to approval. Special acknowledgment was given to Peter Dohm, whose leadership was instrumental in securing the license.
With FCC authorization secured, AstroForge is in the final stages of preparing for its second mission. The company is now focused on readying Odin for its historic journey, expected to break new ground in resource extraction and commercial activities in the outer reaches of the solar system.
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