SpaceX files internet constellation proposal to US regulators, one of several seeking US FCC approval. OneWeb, Telesat, others in mix too.SpaceX to FCC: Subject to development work, SpaceX will design, manufacture its own satellites, gateway earth stations, and user terminals.SpaceX to FCC(3): Promises to deorbit its sats at end of 5-7-yr lives 'far faster than is required under international standards.' [25 yrs]SpaceX to FCC(4): Co. says its system won't interfere w/ ground systems or sats in Ku/Ka. [ITU has agreed that LEO can coexist w/ GEO.]SpaceX to FCC(5): Some Ku- GEO sat owners fear LEO interference at equator. ABS's Choi predicts 'zombie sat apocalypse' from sat failures.
We may merge this, but if you seek background on this, see http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=36552 (21 pages and counting)
- At a 4 x 1.8 x 1.2 meter bus, with a nearly 400 kg mass, that is still a huge number of launches to build out that constellation. I wonder how many satellite vehicles they're planning to stack for a single launch.
These satellites have a really low density.386 kg in 40x18x12 litres is a density of 0.045 (in comparison cube sats often have densities over 1).
SpaceX has designed its system to achieve the following objectives:- High capacity: Each satellite in the SpaceX System provides aggregate downlinkcapacity to users ranging from 17 to 23 Gbps, depending on the gain of the user terminalinvolved. Assuming an average of 20 Gbps, the 1600 satellites in the Initial Deploymentwould have a total aggregate capacity of 32 Tbps. SpaceX will periodically improve thesatellites over the course of the multi-year deployment of the system, which may furtherincrease capacity.- High adaptability: The system leverages phased array technology to dynamically steer alarge pool of beams to focus capacity where it is needed. Optical inter-satellite linkspermit flexible routing of traffic on-orbit. Further, the constellation ensures thatfrequencies can be reused effectively across different satellites to enhance the flexibilityand capacity and robustness of the overall system.- Broadband services: The system will be able to provide broadband service at speeds ofup to 1 Gbps per end user. The system’s use of low-Earth orbits will allow it to targetlatencies of approximately 25-35 ms.- Worldwide coverage: With deployment of the first 800 satellites, the system will be ableto provide U.S. and international broadband connectivity; when fully deployed, thesystem will add capacity and availability at the equator and poles for truly globalcoverage.- Low cost: SpaceX is designing the overall system from the ground up with costeffectivenessand reliability in mind, from the design and manufacturing of the space andground-based elements, to the launch and deployment of the system using SpaceX launchservices, development of the user terminals, and end-user subscription rates.- Ease of use: SpaceX’s phased-array user antenna design will allow for a low-profile userterminal that is easy to mount and operate on walls or roofs.
http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=1158350Attachment A has most of the detail.
The new filing is File Number: SAT-LOA-20161115-00118, I've attached their technical document from the filing.
There are 52 satellites in a plane (2 spares), so just over 20 tonnes, which is about what F9 can place in that orbit, but possibly not a F9 with ASDS landing.
SpaceX is a privately held company in which the sole shareholder who is the beneficial owner of a 10% or greater interest is Elon Musk, as trustee of a private trust. Mr. Musk’s trust currently owns 54% of the outstanding stock of SpaceX and has voting control of 78% of the outstanding stock of SpaceX. Mr. Musk, a U.S. citizen, can be contacted at the following address: 1 Rocket Road, Hawthorne, CA 90250.