Cowboy Space, which plans to fly its satellites on its own rockets, asks the FCC to open a rulemaking on launch spectrum

FCC ECFS · ET Docket 13-115 · Comment · 2026-09-14
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Cowboy Space Corp. calls itself "a future launch operator and satellite constellation licensee," and its comment in FCC docket 13-115 explains why reliable access to launch spectrum is "fundamental" to its plans. The company is developing Stampede, a system of up to 20,000 non-geostationary satellites meant to provide compute from in-orbit data centers. Rather than rely on third-party launch providers, it is building in-house launch capabilities dedicated to Stampede and intends to use FCC-licensed spectrum for telemetry, tracking, and command of its rockets.

The comment, filed September 14, 2026 and signed by Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer Joseph Yaffe, asks the Commission to open a rulemaking on launch spectrum. "An insufficient supply of spectrum will hamstring our nation’s space innovators," it warns. Docket 13-115 holds 219 filings from 81 distinct parties, including 125 comments, with SpaceX, Relativity Space, and Lockheed Martin among the filers.

"First, the Stampede system architecture relies on a unique satellite design whereby the operational payloads are integrated into the upper stage of each rocket, thereby maximizing the usable mass to orbit."

— Joseph Yaffe, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Officer, Cowboy Space Corp., FCC docket 13-115

Sources: FCC ECFS filing → · Orbit Sentinel (docket 13-115)

Filed underDocket 13-115Cowboy SpaceLaunch SpectrumOrbital Data CentersTT&CFCC

Questions & answers

What is Cowboy Space asking the FCC to do in docket 13-115?
Open a rulemaking exploring three areas: making more spectrum available for launch, expanding access to launch spectrum with priority over other services, and considering faster, more efficient coordination and sharing methodologies.
Why does launch spectrum matter so much to Cowboy Space?
The company says it is building in-house launch capabilities dedicated to its Stampede satellites, that Stampede's payloads are integrated into each rocket's upper stage, and that it intends to use FCC-licensed spectrum for telemetry, tracking, and command of its rockets.
What is Stampede?
A system of up to 20,000 non-geostationary orbit satellites that Cowboy Space says will provide compute using in-orbit data centers powered by near-continuous sunlight.