SpaceX has filed with the FCC for approval to launch a satellite constellation composed of 4,425 satellites to provide global broadband. The satellites, which will weight 386kg apiece, will fly in orbits from 1,110 km to 1,325 km and provide services in the Ku and Ka frequency bands.
Space Exploration Holdings, LLC seeks operating authority (i.e., approval for orbital deployment and a station license) for a non-geostationary orbit satellite system in the Fixed-Satellite Service using the Ku and Ka frequency bands.
The SpaceX non-geostationary orbit (“NGSO”) satellite system (the “SpaceX System”) consists of a constellation of 4,425 satellites (plus in-orbit spares) operating in 83 orbital planes (at altitudes ranging from 1,110 km to 1,325 km), as well as associated ground control facilities, gateway earth stations and end user earth stations. The overall constellation will be configured as follows:
This constellation will enable SpaceX to provide full and continuous global coverage, utilizing a minimum elevation angle of 40 degrees. The system is designed to provide a wide range of broadband and communications services for residential, commercial, institutional, governmental and professional users worldwide.
Advanced phased array beam-forming and digital processing technologies within the satellite payload give the system the ability to make highly efficient use of Ku- and Ka-band spectrum resources and the flexibility to share that spectrum with other licensed users. User terminals operating with the SpaceX System will use similar phased array technologies to allow for highly directive, steered antenna beams that track the system’s low-Earth orbit satellites.