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Today, SpaceX has received authorization from the United States to deploy 7,518 broadband satellites, in addition to the 4,425 satellites approved eight months ago.
The Federal Communications Commission has decided to let SpaceX launch 4,425 satellites in low Earth orbit in March this year. SpaceX has separately requested the approval of 7,518 satellites operating even closer to the ground, claiming that they would increase capacity and reduce latency in heavily populated areas. This represents a total of 11,943 satellites for SpaceX Starlink broadband service.
SpaceX "proposes to add a non-GSO to very low Earth Orbit (VLEO) [non-geostationary satellite orbit] The FCC stated in its unanimously approved proposal that the newly approved satellites would use frequencies between 37.5 and 42 GHz for space-to-Earth transmissions and frequencies between 37.5 and 346 km between 51.4 GHz for Earth-to-space transmissions, the FCC said.
"After reviewing the file, we conclude that the granting of the SpaceX application will serve the public interest", subject to power level related conditions, interference prevention with d & # 39; other systems and the prevention of space debris, said the FCC.
The FCC also today approved the entry of small satellite systems from Kepler Communications, Telesat Canada and LeoSat into the US market. These systems include 140 satellites for Kepler, 117 satellites for Telesat and 78 satellites for LeoSat, the FCC said. Unlike SpaceX, these three satellite systems would be first approved by foreign governments, but they still need the FCC's approval to access the US market.
"I look forward to seeing what services these proposed constellations offer," said Ajit Pai, president of the FCC, "from providing high-speed broadband services in remote areas to global connectivity to the Internet of objects via "routers in the space" for the data link said today. "Our approach to these applications reflects the commission's fundamental approach: to encourage the private sector to invest and innovate and to allow market forces to create value for US consumers."
Cable type latency
The initial 4 425 SpaceX satellites are expected to orbit at an altitude of 1110 km at 1325 km, a fraction of the altitude of traditional broadband satellites. Due to the low orbit, SpaceX indicates that its broadband network will have latencies as low as 25 ms, similar to cable or fiber systems. SpaceX has also announced gigabit speeds and broadband access worldwide.
The FCC rules require the launch of 50% of satellites within six years of authorization, and all within nine years, unless waived.
For the 7,518 satellite lot, SpaceX has asked the FCC to apply the six-year milestone only for an initial deployment of 1,600 satellites. But the FCC rejected the request, saying "SpaceX has not provided sufficient grounds to override the final stage imposed by the Commission on implementation".
SpaceX must therefore deploy half of the 7,518 newly approved satellites within six years and the remaining satellites within nine years, unless a new waiver is requested.
"SpaceX will be able to resubmit this request in the future, when it will have more information on the progress of the construction and launch of its satellites and will be better placed to assess the need and justification of A derogation, "wrote the FCC.
The FCC's approval in March 2018 of the first batch of SpaceX satellites forced SpaceX to launch 50% of the 4,425 satellites by March 2024, and all by March 2027.
The FCC has also decided today to launch the process for low Earth orbit satellites to use certain frequency bands to provide services to ships, planes and vehicles.
Space debris
The launch of SpaceX and other planned satellite constellations could increase the risk of satellite and space debris collisions, as we announced last year.
That's why the FCC today said it has "launched a full review of its orbital debris mitigation rules."
In April 2018, there were 1,886 satellites in orbit around the Earth. The number of objects classified as debris is much larger.
"Orbital debris over one centimeter in diameter can cause catastrophic damage to functional spacecraft," says the FCC proposal. About 500,000 objects between 1 and 10 cm "were estimated to be in orbit as of 2012", and at least 23,000 were man-made, the FCC said.
The FCC stated that it was "proposed[ing] Amendments to Improve Disclosure of Debris Reduction Plans "and seek public comment on" Satellite Reliability and Elimination Methodology, Appropriate Low Earth Orbit Deployment Altitudes and Lifespan " in orbit, with a particular focus on large constellations of non-GSO satellites ".
SpaceX has submitted debris mitigation plans, but the FCC has indicated that it still needs more details from the company.
"[W]While we appreciate the level of detail and analysis provided by SpaceX for its orbital debris mitigation and end-of-life disposal plans, we conclude that the unprecedented number of satellites proposed by SpaceX and other non-GSO satellite monitoring systems [fixed-satellite service] The systems in this treatment cycle will require a new assessment of the appropriate reliability standards for these spacecraft, as well as the reliability of the methods used by these systems for the de-orbiting of spacecraft, "said the FCC in its SpaceX approval. 39; aujourd & # 39; hui ". As a result, we subject the granting of the application on SpaceX Submitting and the Commission granting a modification of this Space Station Grant in order to include a final orbital debris mitigation plan. "
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