George John named to "20 Under 35" list for the space and satellite industry
Congratulations to George John, an associate in the Hogan Lovells Communications, Internet, and Media practice, who has been named to the "20 Under 35" cohort of the Space & Satellite Professionals International (SSPI). The annual list features top rising stars representing the best of the space and satellite industry in the years ahead.
George's draw to the industry stems from his frustrations with the insufficient connectivity options available to his family in India and the resulting limited interactions. Researching potential solutions revealed some eye-catchers: nearly three to four billion individuals lack access to basic broadband internet, and perhaps only satellites can meaningfully close this digital divide.
In his current practice at Hogan Lovells, George supports myriad space-related ventures, including helping companies obtain National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration remote sensing licenses and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) radiofrequency (RF) authorizations for broadband and Internet-of-Things connectivity, meteorological and land surface monitoring, hosted payload, and on-orbit satellite servicing solutions. He also advocates before regulatory agencies on matters such as space debris mitigation and RF spectrum sharing and negotiates spectrum rights internationally.
George previously served in various legal roles for pioneering satellite companies and the FCC and Federal Aviation Administration. Engaging in these capacities also allowed him to lead advocacy efforts before U.S. congressional staff; fight for existing and new RF spectrum rights at International Telecommunication Union (ITU) meetings; and assist with drafting spectrum sharing, launch service and insurance, and nondisclosure agreements.
Outside of work, George actively mentors young lawyers, presents at events like the MIT New Space Age Conference, and judges the Manfred Lachs Space Law Moot Court Competition (North America region).
His work highlights include:
- Representing the United States as a delegate at the month-long ITU World Radiocommunication Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where he successfully garnered U.S. and international support for increasing RF spectrum availability for small satellite operators deploying spacecraft sized no larger than a wine bottle.
- Persuading the FCC and Department of Commerce to modernize their commercial space regulatory regimes.
- Leading Satellite Industry Association and Commercial Smallsat Spectrum Management Association initiatives encouraging satellite-based Earth observation and deregulation of small satellite operations.