Who may be the control operator of a station communicating through an amateur satellite or space station?

Amateur radio satellites act very much like cross-band repeaters in space. To use them, you only need the privileges required to transmit on the specific uplink frequency (the frequency your radio uses to send signals up to the satellite). The FCC does not require any special "satellite operator certification," AMSAT membership, or an Amateur Extra class license to use space stations. As long as your current license class grants you transmitting privileges on the satellite's uplink frequency, you may act as the control operator. For example, if the satellite's uplink is in the 2-meter or 70-centimeter band, a Technician class licensee has full privileges to operate as the control operator for that communication.