Amendment to STA Marc 2014

1004-EX-ST-2013 Text Documents

BlackSky Global, LLC

2014-03-19ELS_147012

FURTHER AMENDMENT TO APPLICATION FOR EXPERIMENTAL SPACE STATION AUTHORITY (FILE NO. 1004-EX-ST-2013) BlackSky, LLC (“BlackSky”) hereby amends its above-referenced pending application for experimental space station authority. BlackSky notes that it has filed a companion experimental earth station application to the instant request. 1 On the basis of further analysis of anticipated system performance and equipment functionality, BlackSky has determined that some technical details outlined in its space station application should be further updated. BlackSky is also submitting herewith a revised narrative to the above-referenced application and it has made the corresponding changes to the OET’s STA form. BlackSky amends its pending experimental space station application in the following ways: 1. Manufacturer section: the proposed UHF Radio will be manufactured by L3 Communications, as stated in the original version of the application. The model is the Cadet-UHF radio. 2. Station location section: Modulating signal for the 401-402 MHz signal is being reverted to OQPSK. Finally, as a result of a modified launch schedule beyond its control, BlackSky will not require the subject authority prior to January 15, 2015. Accordingly, it is herein also amending its application to seek authority for the six month period of January 15, 2015 to July 15, 2015. 1 File No. 1136-EX-ST-2013.

Amended Dec. 20, 2013 and March 19, 2014 REQUEST FOR EXPERIMENTAL SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY BlackSky, LLC (“BlackSky”) herein requests experimental Special Temporary Authority (“STA”) to demonstrate and test the use of two microsatellites in the manner described below. Purpose of Special Temporary Authority. BlackSky seeks to test, develop, and demonstrate the efficacy and design of a newly configured microsatellites, including associated software applications, relative to their ability to provide high-resolution remote sensing in the Earth Exploration Satellite Service (“EESS”). To this end, BlackSky seeks experimental STA to launch, test, and demonstrate 1 two prototype satellites – Scout 1 and Scout 2 – anticipated to be launched and ready for testing on approximately January 15, 2015,2 for a period of up to six (6) months. The launch and operation of the subject microsatellites on the basis of such authority will permit BlackSky the opportunity to assemble critical feedback both as to the performance of the microsatellites themselves and the overall architecture of the proposed imaging and communications system. BlackSky brings to the Commission’s attention that it has received authority to operate the Scout 1 and Scout 2 microsatellites from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”), the public summary of which it is uploading to the application docket. Additionally, BlackSky is submitting herewith an analysis it performed to satisfy the Commission’s Orbital Debris Assessment requirements. Finally, BlackSky has also rendered the application data in an exhibit formatted to facilitate its analysis by the NTIA. Operational Description. BlackSky is developing plans to deploy two satellites intended to demonstrate the technology and to experiment with configurations and processes. The satellites are proposed for launch to Low Earth Orbit on a Roscosmos Soyuz launch vehicle. Scouts 1 and 2 will be deployed from the Soyuz upper stage into a planned circular orbit of 600 x 1 BlackSky has followed herein the Commission’s policy articulated regarding the seeking of STA for such purposes. See Guidance on Obtaining Experimental Authorizations for Commercial Space Launch Activities, Public Notice, DA 13-446 (rel. Mar. 15, 2013). 2 Because BlackSky is submitting the instant application well in advance of when it needs such authority and of the proposed launch of the subject microsatellites, it is requesting a start date of January 15, 2015, with the possibility that the microsatellites may be ready for testing later than, but not earlier than, that date.

600 km at 97.8 degrees inclination approximately 1 week after the primary payload’s (Meteor) separation from the launch vehicle. Once in orbit, the demonstration and testing will focus on each satellite’s subsystems and their collective interaction, as well as the ability to communicate with and control the satellites, test the imaging capability of the satellites, and ascertain the actual throughput of imaging data from the satellite to ground stations3 and the BlackSky network operations center. The technical details of the space segment are as follows: Scout 1 and 2 frequency characteristics: Primary Payload Downlink: 8080 MHz ± 80.0 MHz Secondary TT&C Downlink: 401-402 MHz Primary TT&C Uplink4: 2071.88MHz ± 49kHz Secondary TT&C Uplink: 449.75 – 451.25 MHz Scout 1 and 2 radio characteristics: Frequencies Manufacturer Model Number X-Band Syrlinks EWC22 S-Band Quasonix QSX-RDMS-T-1100-AB-RS UHF L3 Communications Cadet-UHF Scout 1 and 2 antenna characteristics: X-Band (Tx): 15 dBi patch antenna, 18 degree half power beamwidth, nadir pointing 45° RHCP in horizontal orientation; 45° RHCP in vertical orientation S-Band (Rx): 6 dBi patch antenna, 90 degree half power beamwidth, nadir pointing 45° RHCP in horizontal orientation; 45° RHCP in vertical orientation UHF (Tx/Rx): 2.15 dBi non-directional monopole, 156 degree half power beamwidth Linear polarization 3 BlackSky notes that it has submitted a corresponding application for authority to operate ground stations that will communicate with Scout 1 and Scout 2 for communications and control purposes under FCC File No. 1136-EX-ST-2013. 4 BlackSky is providing in this exhibit the proposed uplink frequencies only as informational. These frequencies are the subject of a separate application for experimental earth station authority. See n.3. 2

24-hour contact details: BlackSky maintains a 24-hour, 7-day-per-week hotline at its Mission Control Center, which can be reached at the following telephone number for any interference issues: (425) 998-7370. 3


Document Created: 2014-03-19 14:46:09
Document Modified: 2014-03-19 14:46:09
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