SpaceX Faces Apparent Antenna Switch Outcry
SpaceX faces increased heat from rival non-geostationary orbit satellite operators for supposedly changing types of antennas used on its Starlink satellites without notifying the FCC. Such a change could open the door to fines or the agency ordering the satellites shut down, experts said in interviews.
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OneWeb Executive Chairman Sunil Mittal and CEO Neil Masterson told FCC acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a "significant discrepancy" between SpaceX’s authorized antenna system and what appear to be its current operations, per a posting Monday. And in International Bureau filing Wednesday, Amazon said SpaceX contended SpaceX made contradictory claims about its antenna design and then "refused requests to provide clarity on ... redesign and performance." It said SpaceX instead obfuscated the effects of that antenna change by showing its currently authorized antenna patterns and power flux density contours using the proposed modified antenna. SES/O3b also has alleged that SpaceX switched from using phased array antennas on its satellites to parabolic antennas. SpaceX didn't comment for this report. “SpaceX has curiously yet to respond to the confusion surrounding its antenna redesign," OneWeb told us.
A parabolic antenna produces a fixed beam of RF energy on the earth's surface, while a phased array can adjust the beam shape and power levels continuously. University of Houston engineering professor David Jackson said any antenna is characterized by parameters like gain beamwidth and sidelobe level, and an antenna's being either a parabolic dish or phased array doesn't give those details.
Steve Goodman of Butzel Long said a change in antennas could be regulatorily problematic. The swap might mean changed transmission characteristics for the satellite that exceed its authorization and could lead to FCC fines or orders to shut down, he said. Even if the modification doesn't affect power levels at which the satellite transmits, it could mean a different mass and satellite profile, which could have collision risk and orbital debris implications, he said. Rules generally require a modification request for a notable change to a satellite, though there are exceptions, such as painting it black to reduce reflectivity, the lawyer noted. Some transmission characteristics like changed antennas could fall into that, he said. The FCC didn't comment. Participants in the FCC proceeding said they worry the antenna move could increase interference to spectrum used by others.
SES/O3b was the first to bring the matter to FCC attention. Last year, it cited "significant signals" pointing to the possibility that SpaceX is using parabolic antennas on its satellites for Ka-band gateway links, though everything SpaceX told the FCC indicated it was using phased array antennas. SES/O3b said proof is videostream imagery by SpaceX satellites. SpaceX says its phased array antennas can manage interference issues, but it's unclear how it can do that using parabolic antennas, SES/O3b said. OneWeb urged the FCC last month to say SpaceX's "apparent clandestine antenna redesign of the previously authorized and operating satellites should be clarified." Amazon representatives raised the issue to International Bureau Chief Tom Sullivan.