Further Amendment and Response to Request for Information

1004-EX-ST-2013 Text Documents

BlackSky Global, LLC

2014-05-15ELS_149303

REPLY TO REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND FURTHER AMENDMENT OF APPLICATION BlackSky Global, LLC (“BlackSky”) hereby responds to a request for additional information regarding its pending application for experimental space station authority (FCC File No. 1004-EX-ST-2013).1 Additionally, BlackSky amends its application as described below. A. Request for Additional Information On April 28, 2014, BlackSky received a request, on behalf of the Department of Commerce, regarding the ascending and descending nodes for the spacecraft. BlackSky believes the question raised may no longer be applicable because, as discussed below, BlackSky will be changing its planned launch vehicle from the Roscosmos Soyuz launch vehicle (which has a sun synchronous orbit) to the International Space Station (“ISS”), which has an orbit inclination of 51.6 degrees and for which there would be no constant local time of ascending or descending node. If additional information is needed regarding the ISS orbit, BlackSky stands ready to provide it, but it is its understanding that the question that was raised is mooted by the change of launch vehicles. B. Amendment to Parameters of Requested Authority In its initial application, BlackSky stated that it was seeking authority to launch, test, and demonstrate two prototype satellites – named Scout 1 and Scout 2. BlackSky also stated that the satellites were proposed for launch to Low Earth Orbit on a Roscosmos Soyuz launch vehicle. Due to issues beyond its control regarding access to the Soyuz vehicle and BlackSky’s ability to export the prototypes to Russia for launch, BlackSky has had to make alternate arrangements to launch instead from the ISS. Access to the ISS is limited for the period in which the Scouts spacecraft will be ready for deployment and, rather than two, only one prototype will be launched from the ISS. Accordingly, BlackSky is hereby amending its pending application to reflect that it is currently seeking authority to launch, test, and demonstrate only one Scout spacecraft. Additionally, BlackSky is herein providing an updated Orbital Debris Assessment to reflect the change in launch vehicle to the ISS. 1BlackSky notes that it has a pending application for earth station authority, to cover facilities that will communicate with the Scout spacecraft, under FCC File No. 1136-EX-ST-2013. 1

BlackSky is reviewing alternatives for the launch of the second spacecraft, which in any event would occur later than the first. Rather than delay authorization for the first spacecraft, BlackSky has chosen to limit this application to the first spacecraft to be launched, understanding that a separate, new application would be required for the second spacecraft at such time that BlackSky’s plans for it have solidified. 2


Document Created: 2014-05-15 18:35:27
Document Modified: 2014-05-15 18:35:27
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