Iridium Satellite LLC

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY

Applicant Name

Name of Applicant:

Iridium Satellite LLC

Address

Attention:	Ms. Maureen C. McLaughlin
Street Address:	1750 Tysons Boulevard, Suite 1400
P.O. Box:
City:	McLean
State:	VA
Zip Code:	22102
Country:
E-Mail Address:	[email protected]

Best Contact

Give the following information of person who can best handle inquiries pertaining to this application:   Last Name: Godles First Name: Joseph Title: Attorney Phone Number: 202-429-4900

Explanation

Please explain in the area below why an STA is necessary: Rocket Lab USA (“Rocket Lab”) has requested special temporary authority (“STA”) to operate an Iridium 9602 modem on its commercial launch vehicle. The modem will transmit to space stations in Iridium’s “Big LEO” constellation. Iridium hereby requests an STA to transmit in the reverse direction, from its Big LEO constellation to the 9602 modem on Rocket Lab’s launch vehicle. The technical characteristics of these transmissions will be identical to the technical characteristic of Iridium’s already-licensed space station transmissions in the 1618.725–1626.5 MHz band. Iridium’s space station constellation is licensed under Call Sign S2110. Because Iridium will be operating under the requested STA in accordance with the parameters of its license, no operating parameters, other than effective radiated power, were used in the form that this exhibit accompanies. The only change from Iridium’s licensed operations is that Iridium will be adding the modem on Rocket Lab’s launch vehicle as a point of communication. Iridium’s space station license does not cover intersatellite communications in the 1618.725–1626.5 MHz band.

Purpose of Operation

Please explain the purpose of operation:

To support Rocket Lab operation. Rocket Lab USA (“Rocket Lab”) has requested special temporary authority (“STA”) to operate an Iridium 9602 modem on its commercial launch vehicle. The modem will transmit to space stations in Iridium’s “Big LEO” constellation. Iridium hereby requests an STA to transmit in the reverse direction, from its Big LEO constellation to the 9602 modem on Rocket Lab’s launch vehicle. The technical characteristics of these transmissions will be identical to the technical characteristic of Iridium’s already-licensed space station transmissions in the 1618.725–1626.5 MHz band. Iridium’s space station constellation is licensed under Call Sign S2110. Because Iridium will be operating under the requested STA in accordance with the parameters of its license, no operating parameters, other than effective radiated power, were used in the form that this exhibit accompanies. The only change from Iridium’s licensed operations is that Iridium will be adding the modem on Rocket Lab’s launch vehicle as a point of communication. Iridium’s space station license does not cover intersatellite communications in the 1618.725–1626.5 MHz band.

Information

Callsign:	WM9XCQ
Class of Station:	MO
Nature of Service:	Experimental

Requested Period of Operation

Operation Start Date:	12/08/2017
Operation End Date:	12/20/2017

Manufacturer

List below transmitting equipment to be installed (if experimental, so state) if additional rows are required, please submit equipment list as an exhibit:
Manufacturer	Model Number	No. Of Units	Experimental
Iridium	9602	2	No

Certification

Neither the applicant nor any other party to the application is subject to a denial of Federal benefits that includes FCC benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. Section 862, because of a conviction for possession or distribution of a controlled substance. The applicant hereby waives any claim to the use of any particular frequency or electromagnetic spectrum as against the regulatory power of the United States because of the prvious use of the same, whether by license or otherwise, and requests authorization in accordance with this application. (See Section 304 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.) The applicant acknowledges that all statements made in this application and attached exhibits are considered material representations, and that all the exhibits part hereof and are incorporated herein as if set out in full in this application; undersigned certifies that all statements in this application are true, complete and correct to the best of his/her knowledge and belief and are made in good faith. Applicant certifies that construction of the station would NOT be an action which is likely to have a significant environmental effect. See the Commission's Rules, 47 CFR1.1301-1.1319.

Signature of Applicant (Authorized person filing form):	Maureen C. McLaughlin
Title of Applicant (if any):	Vice President, Public Policy
Date:	2017-12-08 00:00:00.0

Station Location

	City	State	Latitude	Longitude	Mobile	Radius of Operation
			North	West	Low Earth orbit alt. 780 km inclin. 86.4 deg

Datum:  NAD 83 Is a directional antenna (other than radar) used?   No Exhibit submitted:   No (a) Width of beam in degrees at the half-power point:   (b) Orientation in horizontal plane:   (c) Orientation in vertical plane:   Will the antenna extend more than 6 meters above the ground, or if mounted on an existing building, will it extend more than 6 meters above the building, or will the proposed antenna be mounted on an existing structure other than a building?   No (a) Overall height above ground to tip of antenna in meters:   (b) Elevation of ground at antenna site above mean sea level in meters:   (c) Distance to nearest aircraft landing area in kilometers:   (d) List any natural formations of existing man-made structures (hills, trees, water tanks, towers, etc.) which, in the opinion of the applicant, would tend to shield the antenna from aircraft:

Action	Frequency	Station Class	Output Power/ERP	Mean Peak	Frequency Tolerance (+/-)	Emission Designator	Modulating Signal
New	1618.72500000-1626.50000000 MHz	MO	N/A 1288.000000 W	P		N0N	00

16353