California startup Logos Space Services is seeking FCC Space Bureau OK for a planned 3,960-satellite constellation aimed at providing connectivity to enterprise customers and in-space data relay among other satellite constellations. In an application posted Thursday, it said the non-geostationary orbit Logos Network would operate in the Ka, Q/V and E bands at altitudes between 860 and 925 km. The company said it plans a phased rollout, with the first phase of 1,092 satellites letting it commence service and then Logos increasing capacity and throughput as it continues deployment.
SpaceX is five launches away from having a commercial direct-to-device constellation in orbit, company Senior Director-Satellite Engineering Ben Longmier posted Wednesday on X. After that, he said, further launches will improve coverage and latency for SpaceX's telecommunications partners around the world. His post followed SpaceX's latest launch Wednesday, with 20 more Starlinks -- including 13 with D2D capabilities -- put into orbit.
The FCC's argument that financier BIU's litigation is a fight between the company and satellite firm Spectrum Five to be dealt with in a state court (see 2410100007) doesn't fly, BIU said. In a docket 24-1189 petitioner's reply brief Wednesday, BIU said no state court can vacate the FCC Enforcement Bureau's dismissal of BIU's Spectrum Five petition and provide the relief BIU is seeking before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. BIU said cases the FCC cited about the agency abstaining from considering issues of contract law in favor of state court adjudication sprung from situations that could be addressed with a state court judgment for money or where there still could be meaningful relief at the FCC after state court resolution. BIU is appealing the FCC's dismissal of a petition seeking reinstatement of the Spectrum Five complaint alleging that Intelsat is interfering with Spectrum Five's spectrum license (see 2404110053).
NASA is conducting a visiting vehicle study with SpaceX, looking at the potential impact of SpaceX's second-generation constellation on International Space Station operations. In a letter posted Tuesday in docket 23-135, NASA said one aim of the study is ensuring "an appropriate and informed number of satellites are allowed to operate" in orbital shells below the ISS. SpaceX is seeking authority to operate below the ISS (see 2406210006). NASA said it and SpaceX "will continue to collaborate closely to finalize operational guidelines and establish comprehensive safety protocols" involving vehicles traveling to and from the ISS. Given that cooperation, NASA said it supports the FCC letting SpaceX operate up to 400 satellites in the orbital shells below the ISS. It said after the visiting vehicle study is done, it would coordinate any change to that number.
The largest piece of debris from Russia's 2021 destructive anti-satellite test (see 2111160063) reentered the atmosphere Sunday over the Arctic, astronomer Jonathan McDowell posted on X. Most of the 2,000+ pieces of debris from the test also have reentered the atmosphere since the test, he said.
Gulfstream has received FAA supplemental type certification to install SpaceX's Starlink internet on its G650 and G650ER aircraft, the jet manufacturer said Monday. It said it's pursuing similar certifications for a variety of its other models.
AstroForge has become the first company to receive an FCC spectrum license for a commercial mission into deep space, it posted Monday on X. "We're excited to lead the charge in deep space exploration," the space mining company said. "With the FCC’s authorization, we are now full steam ahead," the company said. The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology experimental license was granted Oct. 18. AstroForge said its Odin craft will go on a two-year mission to conduct a fly-by of target asteroids and take high-resolution images to analyze the surface for docking sites in future missions. AstroForge craft will operate in the S band.
Eutelsat/OneWeb continues urging conditions on an SES purchase of Intelsat. In docket 24-267 reply comments posted Monday, it reiterated its argument (see 2410010018) that New SES' control of C-band channels in the U.S., and the importance of that spectrum for content distribution, necessitates considering whether conditions are needed to address those competitive impacts. Eutelsat/OneWeb didn't state specific conditions. SES and Intelsat, in comments also posted Monday, said C-band marketplace concerns, such as those that NAB voiced (see 2410160018), are "unfounded" because of the "fierce competition" New SES would face from fiber, internet-based streaming and other technologies.
The FAA licensed 148 space launches and reentries in FY 2024, compared to 113 in FY 2023, the agency said in an email Friday. "It was another safe and impressive year for the FAA and commercial space operators," it noted.
SpaceX and Amazon proposals for unavailability limits would make it impossible for non-geostationary orbit fixed satellite service operators to meet the high-availability requirements of public safety and government customers, Eutelsat/OneWeb said Thursday in docket 21-456. Recapping a meeting with FCC Space Bureau staffers in docket 21-456, Eutelsat/OneWeb said the limits SpaceX and Amazon's Kuiper are pushing are so relaxed that instead of coordination, operators will instead file technical compatibility studies that take up substantial FCC resources. Eutelsat/OneWeb discussed its support of O3b's rival proposal.