STA Application Exhibit

1293-EX-ST-2017 Applicant Eligibility

Virgin Orbit, LLC

2017-09-07ELS_197972

Rev 1.3, 9/7/2017


Request for Special Temporary Authority
Virgin Orbit, LLC

File Number: 1293-EX-ST-2017



Explanation of Experiment:
Virgin Orbit LLC (“Virgin Orbit”) is requesting “Special Temporary Authority (STA)” to operate an S-Band
Transmitter at 2225MHz. If 2225 MHz is unavailable Virgin Orbit is open to any frequency within 2200-
2250MHz band. The purpose of the experiment is to test the ability of Virgin Orbit’s Long Beach ground
station to track satellite launch vehicles. Long Beach ground station is receive only and is located at 4022
E Conant St., Long Beach, CA 90808. Virgin Orbit plans to use this ground station for tracking its satellite
launch vehicles. The test plan is to fly a small manned aircraft with Quasonix transmitter and antennas
around Long Beach, CA and Lompoc, CA, and track that aircraft using the ground station in Long Beach,
CA. The transmitter inside the aircraft will transmit test data at the assigned frequency. Two different data
rates will be tested at the same assigned frequency. Two Antennas might be used in order to get better
coverage, in such a case the signal from the transmitter will be split between the antennas using a RF
splitter.

Virgin Orbit is requesting an area of operation with a radius of 80 miles around Long Beach Airport (LGB)
and 80 miles around the city of Lompoc, CA. The aircraft will fly within the requested area. Maximum
altitude of the aircraft is 20,000 ft. The transmitter will stay on for the full duration of the flight, including
takeoff and landing unless restricted by FAA. Virgin Orbit also plans to turn the transmitter on at its facility
at 4022 E Conant St., Long Beach, CA 90808.

We plan to start the testing by Sept 29th, 2017, and the aircraft is expected to be flown multiple times
during the six month period after the STA license is granted.



                                                             Data Rate
Output Power                                      43dBm                    43dBm
EIRP                                             47.2 dBm                 47.2 dBm
Bandwidth                                        7.02 MHz                 3.51 MHz
Modulation Scheme                               SOQPSK-TG                SOQPSK-TG
Emission Designator                              7M02G2D                  3M51G2D
Carrier Frequency Tolerance                      +/- 20ppm               +/- 20ppm
Transmitter Manufacturer                                   Quasonix
Transmitter Part Number                        QSX-VSR4-1111-20-80-04AB-VP-WV
Antenna Manufacturer and Part Number            South West Antennas (1065-028)
Antenna Gain                                                4.2dBic
Antenna Horizontal (AZ) Beamwidth                        104 Degrees
Antenna Vertical (EL) Beamwidth                          88 Degrees

Figure 1: Transmitter Specs


Location                                     Radius of Operation Max Altitude
Long Beach Airport (LGB) (33.82, -118.151)         80 miles       20,000 ft
Lompoc, CA (34.639, -120.458)                      80 miles       20,000 ft

Figure 2: Area of operation




Figure 3: Map showing area of operation



Point Of Contact:

Umer Qureshi
RF Systems Engineer
(562)-706-5295
umer.qureshi@virginorbit.com



Document Created: 2017-09-07 18:45:03
Document Modified: 2017-09-07 18:45:03

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