FCC Grants SpaceX License Modification, Allows Lower Altitude, Subject To Conditions
April 27, 2021 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued an Order and Authorization and Order on Reconsideration that grants, subject to conditions, the application of Space Exploration Holdings, LLC for modification of its license for a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) fixed-satellite service (FSS) constellation using Ku- and Ka-band spectrum. Among other things, SpaceX’s license will be modified, subject to conditions:
The number of satellites will be reduced from 4,409 to 4,408;
The primary operational altitude specified for 2,814 satellites is modified, changing it from the 1,100-1,300 km range to the 540-570 km range; and
The minimum earth station elevation angle for both user beams and gateway beams is revised, and modified by including in the license authority to conduct launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) operations and payload testing during orbit-raising and deorbit of its satellites, consistent with parameters described in the SpaceX application and related materials.
By adopting the order, the FCC rejects petitions to deny or defer of Viasat, Inc., SES Americom, Inc. and O3B Limited, Kepler Communications, Inc., and Kuiper Systems LLC. (Amazon). Various other challenges to SpaceX’s modification request also were denied.
Additionally, the FCC addressed concerns over the modification’s potential impact on the ongoing 12 GHz proceeding: “As with prior grants, we condition this grant, subject to any modification necessary to bring it into conformance with future actions in Commission rulemakings, including but not limited to the 12 GHz proceeding, which is expressly referenced in the ordering clauses below. Therefore, SpaceX proceeds at its own risk.”
The FCC believes the license modification “will allow SpaceX to implement safety-focused changes to the deployment of its satellite constellation to deliver broadband service throughout the United States, including to those who live in areas underserved or unserved by terrestrial systems.”
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