{"id":18147,"date":"2019-02-08T22:04:09","date_gmt":"2019-02-08T14:04:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/spacex-seeks-fcc-approval-for-up-to-1m-starlink-satellite-earth-stations\/"},"modified":"2019-02-08T22:04:09","modified_gmt":"2019-02-08T14:04:09","slug":"spacex-seeks-fcc-approval-for-up-to-1m-starlink-satellite-earth-stations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/spacex-seeks-fcc-approval-for-up-to-1m-starlink-satellite-earth-stations\/","title":{"rendered":"SpaceX seeks FCC approval for up to 1M Starlink satellite earth stations"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Starlink
A simulation shows how a 4,425-satellite constellation could be deployed for SpaceX\u2019s Starlink satellite internet service. (Mark Handley \/ University College London)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SpaceX has opened a new window into its ambitious plans for a global satellite broadband data network, thanks to an earth-station license application filed with the Federal Communications Commission.<\/p>\n

The application, filed on behalf of a sister company called SpaceX Services, seeks blanket approval for up to a million earth stations that would be used by customers of the Starlink satellite internet service. The stations would rely on a flat-panel, phased-array system to transmit and receive signals in the Ku-band to and from the Starlink constellation.<\/p>\n

Those satellites have already received clearance from the FCC, and SpaceX plans to launch the first elements of the initial 4,425-satellite constellation this year, using Falcon 9 rockets. The company sent up its first two experimental broadband satellites last year and has been tweaking its plans for Starlink as a result of those space-to-ground tests. Eventually, SpaceX wants to build up the network to take in as many as 12,000 satellites in low Earth orbit.<\/p>\n

SpaceX\u2019s facility in Redmond, Wash., is playing the lead role in developing the satellite system. Last year, the Redmond office went through a management shakeup aimed at accelerating progress on Starlink.<\/p>\n

The application filed with the FCC on Feb. 1 focuses on the receiving end of the space-based service. \u201cThis application takes the next step by seeking authority for the end-user customers\u2019 earth stations that incorporate advanced technologies to enable highly efficient use of the spectrum and enhance the customer\u2019s broadband experience,\u201d SpaceX executives say in their filing.<\/p>\n

They say the system has been engineered \u201cto achieve a high degree of flexibility to facilitate spectrum sharing with other authorized satellite and terrestrial systems.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a technical annex, SpaceX argues that licensing rules focusing on antenna performance standards shouldn\u2019t apply to the planned earth stations, since the FCC has recognized that those standards may not be appropriate for satellite networks in low Earth orbit, as opposed to traditional satellites in geostationary Earth orbit.<\/p>\n

The FCC hasn\u2019t yet taken any action on SpaceX Services\u2019 earth station licensing application, which relates to operations in the United States (including Alaska and Hawaii), plus Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. SpaceX says it\u2019s not providing any comment beyond what\u2019s in the application.<\/p>\n