The Federal Communications Commission has granted SpaceX short-term permission to run limited satellite testing in and around Redmond, authorizing downlink-only operations on the 2185–2190 MHz band, commonly called Band 66.
The special temporary authority, filed under SAT-STA-20260107-00014 and granted Jan. 28, allows a single Gen2 Starlink satellite to conduct on-orbit testing within a 50-kilometer radius of SpaceX’s Redmond facility at roughly 47.7° North, 122.04° West.
The approval runs for 30 days and limits testing to periodic windows covering about 10 percent of the days in that period, according to the FCC grant document.
The testing is described as technical validation work tied to SpaceX’s Gen2 Starlink non-geostationary satellite constellation.
The FCC grant makes clear the activity is for testing only, not for providing commercial service, and that the authorization applies only to downlink transmissions in the 2185–2190 MHz range.
The order includes several conditions. SpaceX must operate on an unprotected, non-interference basis, which means the company cannot cause harmful interference to other licensees and cannot claim protection from interference affecting its own signals.
If harmful interference does occur, SpaceX is required to stop operations immediately on notification and inform the Commission in writing.
FCC approves SpaceX Redmond, WA STA to continue testing in Band 66 ahead of a possible Government Shutdown. pic.twitter.com/rxdjRXFSPX
— FREESPEECH101 (@FREESPEECH1017) January 28, 2026
The grant was issued by the Satellite Programs and Policy Division and signed by an associate division chief.
It notes the authorization is without prejudice to SpaceX’s pending applications related to its broader Gen2 Starlink filings.
The timing comes as federal agencies prepare for the possibility of a government shutdown, a scenario that can delay regulatory reviews and approvals.
The FCC’s 30-day temporary authorization ensures SpaceX can proceed with the specified tests regardless of short-term disruptions to regular agency processing.
Local officials and residents were not named in the filing, and the authorization does not include any expanded service area beyond the technical testing parameters.
The FCC emphasized that operations must conform with the company’s technical specifications and with FCC rules not waived in the grant.
This authorization covers a narrow set of frequencies and a short time window and is limited to a single satellite.
It does not clear broader operations or mass deployment of services from the site. Any expanded activity would require additional filings and further FCC review.
Source: Federal Communications Commission, Space Bureau, Satellite Programs, Local X Page, and Policy Division.
