STA Exhibit

1136-EX-ST-2013 Text Documents

BlackSky Global, LLC

2013-12-19ELS_144209

REQUEST FOR EXPERIMENTAL SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY

BlackSky, LLC (“BlackSky”) herein requests experimental Special Temporary Authority
(“STA”) to demonstrate and test earth station facilities in connection with the launch 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 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 has submitted an application for STA to launch, test, and demonstrate
two prototype satellites – Scout 1 and Scout 2 – anticipated to be launched and ready for testing
around approximately November 1, 2014, for a period of up to six (6) months. 1

BlackSky submits herein an associated request for experimental STA to use earth station
facilities at three locations to communicate with the Scout 1 and Scout 2 satellites. As with its
associated space station application, BlackSky herein seeks authority for up to six (6) months,
beginning on November 10, 2014.2

The grant of the instant request will permit BlackSky to communicate and control the
satellites and thereby to assemble critical feedback 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 also submitted an application for
authority to operate the Scout 1 and Scout 2 microsatellites with the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”). A letter granting authority from NOAA is expected in the
near future, as the NOAA staff has indicated that they have completed the bulk of their analysis and
review.

Operational Description.

BlackSky is developing plans to deploy two satellites intended to demonstrate the
technology and to experiment with configurations and processes.

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 the ground stations identified below and the BlackSky network operations center.

1
FCC File No. 1004-EX-ST-2013.
2
As it noted in its associated space station application, because BlackSky is submitting the instant application well
in advance of when it needs such authority of the proposed launch of the subject microsatellites, it is requesting a
start date of November 10, 2014, with the possibility that the microsatellites may be ready for testing later than, but
not earlier than, that date.

1

The technical details of the ground segment are as follows:

Ground station locations:

(1) Tukwila
(47° 29' 56'' N , 122° 17' 22'' W)
3415 S 116th St, Ste 123, Tukwila, WA 9816
Site elevation = 15.9 m AMSL

(2) Tonsina Tract
(61° 42' 45.72" N 145° 8' 3.48" W)
Township 2 South, Range 1 East, Copper River Meridian, AK
Site elevation = 594.4 m AMSL

(3) Prudhoe Bay Tract
(70° 13’ 28.42” N 148° 25’ 38.02” W)
Track 11, North Slope Lease Tracts, Umiat Meridian, AK
Site elevation = 9.1 m AMSL

Antenna details:

S-band & X-band: Manufacturer: ORBIT
(Tx and Rx) Model: AL-1000-SX
Diameter size: 3.7 m

UHF Tx: Manufacturer: M2 Antenna Systems
Model: 450CP34 (yagi antenna)
Boom length: 304.8 cm

UHF Rx: Manufacturer: M2 Antenna Systems
Model: 400CP30 (yagi antenna)
Boom length: 337.9 cm

Frequencies:

UHF Tx (uplink): 449.75-451.25 MHz
UHF Rx (downlink): 401-402 MHz
S-band Tx (uplink): 2071.88 MHz, 78 kHz bandwidth at 100 kbps
X-band Rx (downlink): 8080 MHz, 80 MHz bandwidth at 100 Mbps

Antenna gain:

UHF Tx: 16.0 dBi @ 435-455 MHz
UHF Rx: 16.2 dBi @ 395-405 MHz
S-band Tx: 33.5 dBi @ 2025-2110 MHz (no S-band receive)
X-band Rx: 45.9 dBi @ 8100-8400 MHz

2

Power, EIRP, Polarization:

UHF: 10 W, Total EIRP 24.15 dBW, Linear
S-band: 10 W, Total EIRP 41.65 dBW, RHCP

Modulation and Services:

UHF: BPSK, Command
S-band: SOQPSK, Data
X-band: O-QPSK, Data

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: (206) 351-5165.

3

Document Created: 2013-12-19 17:13:33
Document Modified: 2013-12-19 17:13:33

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