Spacing for Earlier- and Later-Filed Constellations Debated
Amazon Kuiper asking the FCC to consider mandatory distance between constellation filings (see 2009250070) got both critiques and some support in docket 18-313 replies posted Wednesday. Viasat said the petitions to pull back on some information disclosures could still let…
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the agency evaluate orbital safety implications of non-geostationary orbit systems. It said the Amazon Kuiper petition about not allowing later-filed NGSO constellations to use the same altitudes as earlier-filed ones creates an incentive for foreclosure. Maxar Technologies said requiring systems be physically separated from other, previously approved systems "will prioritize a safe and sustainable space environment [and] incentivize responsible space stewardship," as will denying the push that the FCC eliminate its effective maneuverability reporting requirement. Kepler said a required physical separation from earlier-filed constellations could lead to an operator making filings with staggered orbital slots "and claim[ing] effective ownership of whole swathes of outer space without placing any satellites into orbit." Backing Kuiper, OneWeb said enough orbital separation between constellations "remains vitally important." It said arguments against allowing non-U.S. licensed satellites to demonstrate orbital debris oversight by another national licensing authority ignore that U.S. reviews would be duplicative and lead to operators facing possibly inconsistent obligations.