How is it jumping the shark?LEO constellations are an intrinsically superior idea. Challenging to make the economics work, but if you CAN make it work, it'll eventually make many GSO birds obsolete.It's in Boeing's best interests as a major GSO satellite maker to pursue this option. They can't count on SpaceX and OneWeb (and others) all failing.
Blue/Boeing XS1 LV would be ideal for maintaining the constellation, they would need something larger for bulk deployment eg Vulcan with ACES or Blue's RLV.
Space debris clean-up better get a kick in the butt to get going... will be vitally needed in 5-10 years as the feedstock for a Kessler syndrome is delivered to orbit, so we shouldn't wait until a crisis hits (like we are prone to do).
Hundreds of launches per year doesn't seem so far-fetched now, does it?USG is probably scrambling to go small with its assets, too.Space debris clean-up better get a kick in the butt to get going... will be vitally needed in 5-10 years as the feedstock for a Kessler syndrome is delivered to orbit, so we shouldn't wait until a crisis hits (like we are prone to do).
I have to admit I am very surprised by the use of V-band due to atmospheric attenuation. Yes you can route around isolated storms but what the heck do you do in a place like Seattle which is socked in for months?!! Have to wonder how serious this is.
Boeing's FCC filing is here:http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/forwardtopublictabaction.do?file_number=SATLOA2016062200058Initial Deployment is 1396 satellites at 1200km, mostly at 45 degrees inclination with some at 55. Final Deployment is a total of 2956 satellites adding more satellites at 55 degrees, and polar-orbit satellites at 88 degrees, 1000 km. (p23)On the orbital debris front, they are reserving 90% of their propellant to lower each satellite to an orbit below 500km and 5-year lifetime at end of mission. (p35)There's no mention of any advanced debris mitigation, just the low disposal orbit and passive reentry.