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

© 2024 FCC.report
This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the FCC