NASA Says AST Constellation Concerns Shouldn't Preclude FCC License
After NASA raised orbital debris concerns about AST's planned cellular broadband constellation (see 2011020007), the two began collaborating to allow sharing data and conjunction mitigation best practices that should lead to facilitation of safe space operations "and ... mutual success,"…
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NASA told the FCC International Bureau Friday. NASA said it can't withdraw its technical concerns until there's actual coordination and a defined plan, but "this need not preclude the issuance of the requested license" since it and AST "continue to work towards a positive outcome for all parties." CEO Abel Avellan said in an interview Friday that renewed wireless and satellite objections to AST's request for U.S. market access based on use of terrestrial spectrum (see 2011200010) are premature since his company currently seeks market access, not authorization for operations. He said the test satellite AST plans to launch in 2021 will meet FCC Part 24 and 27 requirements.