SpaceX Authorized to Launch up to 7,500 Gen2 Starlink Satellites
The FCC has granted authority to SpaceX to launch and operate up to 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites operating at altitudes of 525, 530, and 535 km (326, 329, and 332 miles) and inclinations of 53, 43, and 33 degrees, respectively. These are part of the proposed constellation of 29,988 non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellites, to be known as its “second-generation” Starlink constellation (Gen2 Starlink).
According to the Order and Authorization document released by the FCC, The agency has also granted SpaceX’s request for authority to conduct launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) operations and testing during orbit-raising, as well as tracking, telemetry and command (TT&C) during the process of removing its satellites from orbit, consistent with the parameters described in the application and related materials. Finally, they have granted in part and dismissed in part SpaceX’s request for various waivers.
The FCC's actions will allow SpaceX to begin deployment of Gen2 Starlink, which will bring next generation satellite broadband to Americans nationwide, including those living and working in areas traditionally unserved or underserved by terrestrial systems.
Orbital Debris a Concern for Gen2 Starlink Satellites
The authorization was limited to 7,500 satellites to address concerns raised in public comments about orbital debris and space safety. The agency is also requiring SpaceX to report mitigation actions taken to avoid collisions in space, coordinate and collaborate with NASA to ensure continued availability of launch windows and on other matters, and pause deployment of new satellites if satellite failures exceed a certain threshold.
Another concern raised was spectrum allocation. To address that issue, the FCC is requiring SpaceX to coordinate with NGSO FSS systems licensed in certain prior processing rounds; report whether the International Telecommunication Union's finding on compliance with EPFD limits takes into account all of the relevant ITU filings for its Gen2 Starlink system combined; and for operations in certain frequency bands, using no more than one satellite beam from any of its authorized Gen2 Starlink satellites in the same frequency in the same or overlapping areas at a time.
Finally, to address concerns about protection of science missions, the FCC adopted conditions and reporting requirements that will help limit any impact on astronomy, including limiting SpaceX’s operations to below 580 km (360 miles), require SpaceX to continue to coordinate and collaborate with NASA to minimize impacts to NASA’s science missions, require SpaceX to coordinate with the National Science Foundation, and require SpaceX to coordinate with specific observatories to protect radioastronomy operations. With these and other conditions and limitations in place, the FCC has concluded that this action is in the public interest.
(Source: FCC. Images from file)