Author Topic: Starlink : SpaceX FCC filing for a 4425 satellite constellation  (Read 192347 times)

Offline Lar

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that orbit is more eccentric than the deployed orbit, as discussed (in this thread?) before...
"I think it would be great to be born on Earth and to die on Mars. Just hopefully not at the point of impact." -Elon Musk
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Offline jebbo

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Given this includes Cameron County, I'm wondering if this accounts for the Boca Chica activity near the two antennas as presumably they'd need to install things?

--- Tony

Offline envy887

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that orbit is more eccentric than the deployed orbit, as discussed (in this thread?) before...

It says "circular", so not eccentric. I think that's just a range of altitudes that it can operate at.

Offline gongora

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that orbit is more eccentric than the deployed orbit, as discussed (in this thread?) before...

It says "circular", so not eccentric. I think that's just a range of altitudes that it can operate at.

They are supposed to be released in the ~514km circular orbit and raise themselves to the operating orbit.

Offline gongora

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A couple recent documents filed on the SpaceX application, nothing that newsworthy.  One is a response to the concerns Oneweb continues to raise about the SpaceX constellation, and the other is a notice of a meeting held Dec. 19 between several top SpaceX officials (Gwynne, Tim Hughes, Patricia Cooper) and various FCC commissioners regarding launch comms and the satellite stuff.

Offline JBF

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Admittedly both those letters are from SpaceX's point of view, but it really does make OneWeb look like they are doing all the can to prevent any competitors.
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Offline gongora

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Admittedly both those letters are from SpaceX's point of view, but it really does make OneWeb look like they are doing all the can to prevent any competitors.

Wouldn't you?  It's all part of the game  :)

Offline Arb

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Admittedly both those letters are from SpaceX's point of view, but it really does make OneWeb look like they are doing all the can to prevent any competitors.

Wouldn't you?  It's all part of the game  :)
Depends which sport you're talking about. It's certainly not cricket.

A very painful lesson learned the first time I worked contractually with Americans was that in business words are not bonds on the west of the pond. Two cultures separated by a common language and all that. Sad.

Now back on topic.

Offline RedLineTrain

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A couple recent documents filed on the SpaceX application, nothing that newsworthy.  One is a response to the concerns Oneweb continues to raise about the SpaceX constellation, and the other is a notice of a meeting held Dec. 19 between several top SpaceX officials (Gwynne, Tim Hughes, Patricia Cooper) and various FCC commissioners regarding launch comms and the satellite stuff.

I hadn't heard that the FCC issued an experimental license for the two satellites launching in January.  Thanks!

Offline gongora

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Looks like the license is close to issuing...

FCC chief proposes approving SpaceX's application for broadband services

Quote
(Reuters) - Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai on Wednesday proposed the approval of an application by Elon Musk’s SpaceX to provide broadband services using satellites in the United States and worldwide.

“Satellite technology can help reach Americans who live in rural or hard-to-serve places where fiber optic cables and cell towers do not reach,” Pai said in a statement.

https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-spacex-broadband-fcc/fcc-chief-proposes-approving-spacexs-application-for-broadband-services-idUKKCN1FY2H4


Here is the statement from today, don't see any other details yet.

Quote
CHAIRMAN PAI STATEMENT ON SPACEX SATELLITE BROADBAND APPLICATION
Recognizes Role of Satellite Broadband in Bridging the Digital Divide and Connecting Americans

WASHINGTON, February 14, 2018—Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai today proposed that the agency approve an application by Space Exploration Holdings, doing business as SpaceX, to provide broadband services using satellite technologies in the United States and on a global basis. Chairman Pai issued the following statement:

“To bridge America’s digital divide, we’ll have to use innovative technologies. SpaceX’s application—along with those of other satellite companies seeking licenses or access to the U.S. market for non-geostationary satellite orbit systems—involves one such innovation. Satellite technology can help reach Americans who live in rural or hard-to-serve places where fiber optic cables and cell towers do not reach. And it can offer more competition where terrestrial Internet access is already available.

“Following careful review of this application by our International Bureau’s excellent satellite engineering experts, I have asked my colleagues to join me in supporting this application and moving to unleash the power of satellite constellations to provide high-speed Internet to rural Americans. If adopted, it would be the first approval given to an American-based company to provide broadband services using a new generation of low-Earth orbit satellite technologies.”

Background
Over the past year, the FCC has approved requests by OneWeb, Space Norway, and Telesat to access the United States market to provide broadband services using satellite technology that holds promise to expand Internet access in remote and rural areas across the country. These approvals are the first of their kind for a new generation of large, non-geostationary satellite orbit, fixed-satellite service systems, and the Commission continues to process other, similar requests.
« Last Edit: 02/14/2018 04:15 pm by gongora »

Offline gongora

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It doesn't look like this will be taken up at the February FCC meeting.
« Last Edit: 02/16/2018 03:05 am by gongora »

Offline docmordrid

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Wouldn't they wait until some MicroSat data were available?
DM

Offline gongora

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Wouldn't they wait until some MicroSat data were available?

No.

Offline Roy_H

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It doesn't look like this will be taken up at the February FCC meeting.

Are you saying they only meet once a month? If so is it on a particular date of each month?
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Offline gongora

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It doesn't look like this will be taken up at the February FCC meeting.

Are you saying they only meet once a month? If so is it on a particular date of each month?

https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/events/open-commission-meetings

Offline gongora

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Wouldn't they wait until some MicroSat data were available?

No.

The constellation license will basically certify that SpaceX has a credible/workable plan as a satellite operator to procure and operate a group of satellites that meet the commission's rules.  There is no requirement to put up test hardware first. 

Some groups put up test sats first, some don't.  Telesat's test satellites were a couple different designs that may not have anything to do with the final product (although may have ITU priority implications), OneWeb isn't putting up test sats.

The MicroSat satellites are SpaceX as a satellite equipment manufacturer conducting tests of their new hardware, and are separate from the constellation licensing process (this first pair will be in an orbit far from the constellation).  The test satellites don't need to pass any sort of review before the constellation is licensed.  (I suppose if the test satellites did something like spew interference all over the place, have a propulsion failure, run into something else, and blow up that could give the commissioners reason to delay the constellation license approval, but fairly benign mistakes/failures shouldn't have any long term effect.)
« Last Edit: 02/16/2018 02:31 pm by gongora »

Offline vaporcobra

Some groups put up test sats first, some don't.  Telesat's test satellites were a couple different designs that may not have anything to do with the final product (although may have ITU priority implications), OneWeb isn't putting up test sats.

Functionally, the ITU priority system of certification is dead (thankfully). I can't remember if the change to a more universal FCC-style process has already been put in place, but it was imminent and a major priority at ITU-related conferences/meetings in late 2017.

Offline gongora

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Some groups put up test sats first, some don't.  Telesat's test satellites were a couple different designs that may not have anything to do with the final product (although may have ITU priority implications), OneWeb isn't putting up test sats.

Functionally, the ITU priority system of certification is dead (thankfully). I can't remember if the change to a more universal FCC-style process has already been put in place, but it was imminent and a major priority at ITU-related conferences/meetings in late 2017.

Implementation will probably vary country to country (something SpaceX fans will learn when 2/3 of the world population can't sign up for Starlink  ;) )

Offline vaporcobra

Some groups put up test sats first, some don't.  Telesat's test satellites were a couple different designs that may not have anything to do with the final product (although may have ITU priority implications), OneWeb isn't putting up test sats.

Functionally, the ITU priority system of certification is dead (thankfully). I can't remember if the change to a more universal FCC-style process has already been put in place, but it was imminent and a major priority at ITU-related conferences/meetings in late 2017.

Implementation will probably vary country to country (something SpaceX fans will learn when 2/3 of the world population can't sign up for Starlink  ;) )

Yep. It can be sorta thought of like the US, where states can subvert FCC rulings with their own alternative laws/requirements/regulations, at least in some cases. It's gonna be a long and brutal road to get true global coverage, but the ITU streamlining and rationalizing their regulations will make it just a little bit less horrible ;D

Offline watermod

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Some groups put up test sats first, some don't.  Telesat's test satellites were a couple different designs that may not have anything to do with the final product (although may have ITU priority implications), OneWeb isn't putting up test sats.

Functionally, the ITU priority system of certification is dead (thankfully). I can't remember if the change to a more universal FCC-style process has already been put in place, but it was imminent and a major priority at ITU-related conferences/meetings in late 2017.

Implementation will probably vary country to country (something SpaceX fans will learn when 2/3 of the world population can't sign up for Starlink  ;) )
So if the Starlink that gets built into the new Tesla for engineering and driving purposes with no sign up because it's part of the auto's purchase price -  does it slip by or is the Tesla banned risking a trade war?   (I am just curious.)

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