Attachment EXHIBITS

This document pretains to SAT-AMD-20120809-00125 for Amended Filing on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATAMD2012080900125_962657

                                                     August 9, 2012



VIA IBFS

Robert Nelson, Chief
Satellite Division
International Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554


                              Re:        Application of ORBCOMM License Corp. For Authority to
                                         Modify its Non-Voice, Non-Geostationary Satellite Service
                                         Space Segment License (S2103) to Revise the Next-Generation
                                         Satellite Deployment Plan

                                         File No. SAT-MOD-20111021-00207

                                         AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT & UPDATE
                                         FCC FORM 312 EXHIBIT


Dear Mr. Nelson:

         By this submission, filed together with the required FCC Form 312, ORBCOMM License
Corp. (“ORBCOMM”) amends, supplements, and updates the above-referenced October 21,
2011, application (the “Modification Application”) to modify its Non-Voice, Non-Geostationary
Satellite Service FCC space segment license to revise the deployment plan for the eighteen
currently authorized ORBCOMM Generation 2 (“OG2”) satellites.1 Specifically, Attachment 1
to this submission provides updated information regarding revisions to the OG2 deployment
plan. Attachment 2 provides a revised and updated orbital debris mitigation showing.
Attachment 3 is an updated version of Appendix B to the original Modification Application
Narrative Exhibit, providing the details of the revised first OG2 satellite launch mission profile.
Attachment 4 is a request for modification or waiver of the fourth satellite implementation
milestone in ORBCOMM’s current space segment license (FCC Call Sign S2103) that requires

1
         ORBCOMM’s Modification Application was accepted for filing and placed on Public Notice on December
2, 2011. See, FCC Public Notice, Report No. SAT-00825, released December 2, 2011. No oppositions to the
Modification Application were entered in the IBFS record of the Modification Application or served on
ORBCOMM.

2115 Linwood Avenue, Suite 100, Fort Lee, NJ 07024                      22265 Pacific Boulevard, Suite 200, Dulles, VA 20166
Telephone: 201-363-4900                                                                             Telephone: 703-433-6300
Facsimile: 703-433-6400                                                                             Facsimile: 703-433-6400

                                                      www.orbcomm.com


Robert Nelson, Chief
Satellite Division
International Bureau
Federal Communications Commission
August 9, 2012
Page 2 of 2


ORBCOMM to complete construction and launch of the first two OG2 satellites by September
21, 2012.2 ORBCOMM is also concurrently filing a revised electronic FCC Form 312 Schedule
S that reflects the changes to the OG2 deployment plan described in this filing. Please associate
these submissions with ORBCOMM’s Modification Application.

       Kindly direct any inquiries concerning this submission to the undersigned.

                                             Respectfully submitted,



                                             Walter H. Sonnenfeldt, Esq.
                                             Regulatory Counsel
                                             ORBCOMM License Corp. &
                                             Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
                                             ORBCOMM Inc.
                                             Direct Tel: (585) 461-3018
                                             E-Mail: sonnenfeldt.walter@orbcomm.com




2
       See, In the Matter of Applications by ORBCOMM License Corp. For Authority to Modify
its Non-Voice, Non-Geostationary Satellite System, Order & Authorization, DA 08-633 (March
21, 2008), 23 FCC Rcd 4804 (2008) (the “Next-Generation Space Segment License”), at ¶ 23(d).


                                                                              Attachment 1
                                                                             August 9, 2012
                                                                                Page 1 of 2



                      Application of ORBCOMM License Corp.
              For Authority to Modify its Non-Voice, Non-Geostationary
                  Satellite Service Space Segment License (S2103) to
                Revise the Next-Generation Satellite Deployment Plan

                          File No. SAT-MOD-20111021-00207

                         ORBCOMM GENERATION 2
                    SATELLITE DEPLOYMENT PLAN UPDATE



       ORBCOMM and launch service provider Space Exploration Technologies

(“SpaceX”) have made further revisions to the planned deployment plan for the eighteen

currently authorized ORBCOMM Generation 2 (“OG2”) satellites since the last update of

May 21, 2012 (the “May 21 Supplement”), submitted in the record of ORBCOMM’s

above-referenced application (the “Modification Application”). The details of the further

revisions to the OG2 deployment plan are provided below.

       As ORBCOMM informed the Commission in the May 21 Supplement, due to

circumstances beyond ORBCOMM’s reasonable control, the launch plan for of the first

OG2 spacecraft has been revised, and is now planned as a secondary payload on the first

SpaceX Falcon 9 International Space Station (“ISS”) Commercial Resupply Services

(“CRS-1”) NASA mission. The primary payload will be the SpaceX Dragon reusable

spacecraft on its first commercial ISS resupply mission. The CRS-1 mission launch is

currently planned for early October 2012. The first OG2 spacecraft will be deployed to a

target 750 kilometer operational circular orbit with a target inclination of 51.7 degrees in

a separate one satellite orbit plane. The full details regarding the revised plan for the


                                                                               Attachment 1
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                                                                                 Page 2 of 2


first OG2 satellite launch are provided in the concurrently filed updated version of

Appendix B to the Modification Application Narrative Exhibit.

       The operational orbit plan for the other seventeen authorized OG2 spacecraft

proposed in the Modification Application has also been revised. These satellites will now

be deployed in four (4) evenly phased orbit planes, each with a target inclination of 52°,

and a target operational altitude of 750 kilometers. Three of these planes will consist of

four satellites each, and the fourth plane will consist of five satellites. Except as

otherwise provided in this ORBCOMM Generation 2 Satellite Launch Program Update

and other concurrently filed submissions relating to the Modification Application, all

other details of the OG2 program remain as previously proposed in the Modification

Application.




                                              2


                                                                           Attachment 2
                                                                          August 9, 2012
                                                                            Page 1 of 12


                     Application of ORBCOMM License Corp.
             For Authority to Modify its Non-Voice, Non-Geostationary
                 Satellite Service Space Segment License (S2103) to
               Revise the Next-Generation Satellite Deployment Plan

                         File No. SAT-MOD-20111021-00207

             REVISED ORBITAL DEBRIS MITIGATION SHOWING


       The showing set forth below revises and updates the Section 25.114(d)(14)

compliance information previously provided in the record of ORBCOMM’s above-

referenced application (the “Modification Application”).1

                                         ****

§ 25.114(d)(14) A description of the design and operational strategies that will be
used to mitigate orbital debris:


       As demonstrated below, the ORBCOMM Next-Generation space segment, as

modified in accordance with this Application, will remain in compliance with the

Commission’s orbital debris mitigation Rules and policies. 2

       (1)     OG2 Spacecraft Hardware Design. ORBCOMM has assessed the

potential for any debris to be released into the space environment in connection with the

OG2 satellite program, and has taken all possible spacecraft hardware design and

operational planning measures to minimize the possibility of any such orbital debris.

There are no planned intentional releases of any objects during any OG2 mission phase,

1
       See, Modification Application, Narrative Exhibit, at pp. 19-29 (October 21, 2011).
2
      47 C.F.R. § 25.114(d)(14). See, also, FCC Public Notice DA 05-2698, Report
No. SPB-112, Disclosure of Orbital Debris Mitigation Plans, Including Amendment of
Pending Applications (Rel. October 13, 2005).


                                                                                 Attachment 2
                                                                                August 9, 2012
                                                                                  Page 2 of 12


including deployment, operations, and disposal. The OG2 satellite design does not utilize

any shrouds or other temporary covers to be removed upon deployment, no shrapnel will

be generated as a result of antenna and solar array deployments, and the specified OG2

satellite launch vehicle separation system uses non-explosive actuators with a cup-and-

cone design that retains all separation hardware.

        ORBCOMM understands and appreciates that small debris and meteoroids have

the potential of colliding with and doing damage to spacecraft components. Such impacts

pose a risk to a satellite’s mission, its ability to maintain control, and its ability to perform

post-mission disposal maneuvers. Using NASA’s Debris Assessment Software (DAS

v2.0.1), ORBCOMM has assessed the probability of OG2 satellite collisions with

untrackable particles larger than one centimeter. At the target nominal operational orbital

altitude of 750 km and with a 52 deg inclination,3 DAS produces the annual collision

probability for OG2 satellites of 1.6x10-4, as summarized in the table below.



    ORBCOMM Nominal Nominal                       Avg Cross            P(Impact w/ debris
     Satellite Inclination Altitude             Sectional Area             >1cm)/yr
        OG2             52o        750 km            3.2 m2                 1.6 x 10-4




3
       The first OG2 satellite is planned for launch as a secondary payload, to be
deployed to a target 750 kilometer operational circular orbit with a target inclination of
51.7 degrees. See, ORBCOMM Generation 2 Satellite Launch Program Update; see,
also, Updated Version of Appendix B to the original Modification Application Narrative
Exhibit (concurrently filed with this revised orbital debris mitigation showing). The .3
degree difference in 51.7 degree target inclination for the first OG2 satellite, and the 52
degree target operational inclination for the seventeen other OG2 satellites does not have
a material impact on the results of this orbital debris mitigation showing.


                                               2


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        It is unknown what the minimum particle size is that could potentially cause

critical damage to an OG2 satellite in the event of an impact. Among other things, that

threshold would vary depending on impact location, angle, and velocity. Due, however,

to the fact that the debris population increases logarithmically with decreased debris size,

the probability of impact similarly increases above 10-4 when debris smaller than one

centimeter is considered.

        The OG2 satellites have been designed to be as impact-tolerant as possible, with

particular focus on minimizing the vulnerability of critical systems to small debris

impacts. For example, external exposure is minimized for components critical to OG2

functionality. Additionally, internal components are provided with physical protection,

either by the bus structure or thermal insulation that serves to break up small debris or

meteoroids upon impact. It is also important to note that OG2 spacecraft use the same

subsystems (e.g., propulsion system) for operation and disposal, so the disposal operation

is no more susceptible to small debris impacts than normal operational functions. These

design features minimize to the greatest extent possible the probability of critical

component damage resulting from any impacting debris or vapor penetrating the interior

of an OG2 spacecraft during all phases of deployment, mission operations, and end-of-

life disposal.

        In summary, the risk of and OG2 satellite being disabled by debris smaller than 1

cm is negligible, and there is a low rate of probable impact of small debris larger than 1

cm. Protective OG2 spacecraft design measures substantially further minimize the




                                              3


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likelihood that small debris impacts would disable an OG2 spacecraft or render it unable

to conduct disposal maneuvers.

       (2)     Minimizing Accidental Explosions. There is virtually no possibility that

an OG2 spacecraft will accidentally explode on-orbit, either during normal operations or

during end-of-life disposal. As discussed more fully below, all components involved in

the retention and control of energy sources are space-qualified, and energy sources will

be managed autonomously, minimized, or depleted upon disposal of the spacecraft.

These sources include pressurized fuel tanks for propulsion, chemical batteries, and

momentum wheels. To further support this showing, on October 21, 2011, ORBCOMM

submitted in the record of the Modification Application copies of hazard analyses, related

presentation materials prepared by the OG2 satellite manufacturer, and information

presented to NASA during the Falcon 9 ORBCOMM mission safety coordination

process, together with a Request For Confidential Treatment. Those submissions are

incorporated herein by reference.

       Each OG2 satellite will carry up to 10.3 kg of hydrazine fuel at launch.

Propellant will be used during all phases of the mission, from attaining the initial

operational orbit, to performing maintenance thrusts throughout the operational life, and

through end-of-life disposal maneuvering. While fuel is budgeted for disposal, any

additional fuel remaining after an OG2 satellite reaches the target disposal altitude will be

consumed while continuing to lower the orbit, and thereby the orbital lifetime. Thus,

OG2 satellite fuel tanks will be left with very small, residual amounts of fuel, very little




                                              4


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pressure, and no potential for chemical combustion.4 The thermal management devices

used to maintain the hydrazine fuel temperature during operations are not capable of

causing the hydrazine to disassociate. Fuel tank heaters will not heat the hydrazine to a

point where it will be a hazard, even in the presence of a failure that sets the fuel heaters

to the full-on setting.

        The OG2 satellite power subsystems use lithium-ion batteries and are designed to

maximize the possibility for recovery from low states of charge. As a consequence, the

OG2 design does not permit permanent disconnection of the batteries from the solar

arrays. In fact, the satellites have a hard-coded protection mechanism (the load

disconnect switch, or LDS) that triggers at low battery states-of-charge to prevent total

battery depletion and premature mission failure. The LDS disconnects the satellite bus

and payload from the battery and connects all solar array strings to the battery to optimize

power recovery. Then, once charging (by drifting through an attitude that illuminates the

solar arrays sufficiently), as the battery reaches state-of-charge that support minimum

satellite operation, the LDS sequentially powers on various elements of the satellite bus

and payload.

        This feature cannot be disabled, but upon decommissioning, OG2 satellites are

expected to tumble randomly. This will keep the batteries at low states-of-charge as the


4
        The OG2 fuel tank manufacturer has indicated that the unusable amount of
residual fuel that will remain in the tank will be approximately 0.27 kg. The residual
internal pressure in the fuel tank from the GN2 pressurant will be less than 100 PSI.
Although the tank valves cannot be left in an open position indefinitely due to the design
of the OG2 propulsion system, they will be exercised in the disposal operation until there
is no discernable pressure drop or delta V associated with the exercise.



                                              5


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power production will be small and reconnection of spacecraft elements will consume

stored charge. Nevertheless, to further reduce any possibility of overcharge,

decommissioned satellites will be re-configured to maximize power drain when the first

elements are turned back on, thereby driving the battery charge back down. This will be

facilitated with a software upload that limits charge accumulation in the initial satellite

boot sequence, unless the battery charging capability of the particular satellite undergoing

decommissioning does not require such intervention.

         Furthermore, in the unlikely event that an overcharge condition occurs despite this

design, the batteries are designed such that the pressure disc integrated into the battery

cell will burst and vent/leak before a catastrophic burst of the battery occurs. Thus, the

OG2 batteries have a mechanical overcharge disconnect and a leak-before-burst

architecture, and therefore do not pose an explosion risk even if overcharge conditions

were to occur. In addition, it is also important to note that the batteries being used in

OG2 satellites are on the list of approved satellite components issued by the Eastern Test

Range.

         Finally, the principal source of internal kinetic energy is the satellite’s suite of

four momentum wheels. There are no credible failure scenarios in which this rotational

kinetic energy could become sufficient to fragment the spacecraft.

         (3) Safe Flight Profiles. ORBCOMM recognizes that there is some small

possibility of physical collision with large objects in low-Earth orbit (including other

operational satellites, spent hardware, and debris). Such a collision would clearly

generate additional orbital debris. While ORBCOMM is unaware of other operators




                                                6


                                                                                Attachment 2
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currently occupying or planning to occupy orbits identical to its own operational orbit,

750 km is a relatively populated region of LEO, and objects will most certainly be

passing through this altitude regime.

       To assess the likelihood of colliding with objects large enough to render an OG2

satellite a source of debris, ORBCOMM again turned to NASA’s Debris Assessment

Software. The calculated annual collision probability with objects larger than 10 cm for

the OG2 operational orbit is shown in the table below. This debris size corresponds

roughly with the lower size threshold for cataloged objects in LEO and is in keeping with

the analysis requirement for large debris specified in the US Government Orbital Debris

Mitigation Standard Practices (Objective 3-1). The upper risk threshold identified in

DAS is 10-3 for the orbital life of any individual OG2 spacecraft. As computed, the

accumulated risk over 30 years (five operational and up to 25 for disposal) for each OG2

spacecraft comes to 3x10-4. It should be noted that this is a conservative estimate. The

analysis presumed a nominal altitude of 750 km for the entire 30-year span. In fact, OG2

satellites will spend a majority of the 30-year analysis period at lower altitudes, where the

debris population is smaller.

       Based on these findings, OG2 satellites do not constitute a significant risk of

further contributing to the debris environment. The low probability of catastrophic

collision over the life of the OG2 satellite mission satisfies the intent of the

Commission’s orbital debris mitigation Rules and policies.




                                               7


                                                                                Attachment 2
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 ORBCOMM           Nominal      Nominal        Avg Cross
    Satellite     Inclination   Altitude     Sectional Area     P(Impact w/ debris >10cm)/yr

     OG2              52o        750 km            3.2 m2                    1x10-5


        Because there are no mission requirements to do so (nor any Commission

requirements to do so, unlike requirements for geostationary satellites), no active

measures are necessary to maintain OG2 satellite orbital parameters to any prescribed

accuracy. During the operational life of the OG2 satellites, the orbit altitude is expected

to decay less than 10 kilometers. The inclinations should remain stable at the specified

operational inclinations, and the eccentricity will exhibit small oscillations above its

target value of zero. The ascending node and true anomaly will obviously take on all

possible values as they secularly and continuously precess. Nonetheless, as reflected in

the table above, the risk of collision in the selected target altitude and inclination is de

minimis.

        Despite the low collision probabilities demonstrated above, ORBCOMM

obviously has a clear business interest in protecting its on-orbit assets. ORBCOMM also

takes very seriously the potential environmental impact that collisions can have in LEO.

In this regard, with respect to the OG2 satellites, ORBCOMM intends to continue its

established practice of coordinating with U.S. Government organizations and other

satellite operators to improve space situational awareness and avoid physical collisions.

For example, ORBCOMM currently receives daily conjunction summary messages

(“CSM”s) from the Joint Space Operations Command (“JSpOC”), identifying




                                               8


                                                                               Attachment 2
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conjunctions predicted 72 hours into the future between any ORBCOMM asset and any

tracked object. ORBCOMM, in turn, provides JSpOC with high-accuracy ephemeris

predictions for involved assets, as available, and keeps JSpOC informed of all anticipated

maneuvering plans. This enables JSpOC to provide more accurate warning services to

the entire operator community regarding the location of ORBCOMM satellites.

       ORBCOMM also coordinates directly with other operators. For example,

established lines of communication are maintained with Iridium and Radarsat, both of

whom operate assets in the same altitude regime as ORBCOMM’s current satellite

constellation. Informal coordination arrangements among LEO satellite operators have

proven quite effective, due among other things, to the mutually beneficial incentives for

cooperation. Typically, if an operator has a concern over an upcoming conjunction,

contact is initiated with the other affected operator to jointly review the severity of the

situation and coordinate any maneuvering plans that may be deemed warranted.

ORBCOMM definitely intends to continue this practice with regard to OG2 satellite

operations.

       One final example of collision avoidance coordination is the much more formal

collaboration being undertaken among ORBCOMM, Space Exploration Technologies

(“SpaceX”), and the Trajectory Operations Office (“TOPO”) at NASA’s Mission

Operations Directorate (“MOD”) relating to the first OG2 launch as a secondary payload

on the upcoming Commercial Resupply Services mission (“CRS-1”) being conducted by

SpaceX and its Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The primary payload, SpaceX’s Dragon capsule,

will be deployed into a low orbit allowing it to rendezvous with ISS. The F-9 second




                                              9


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stage will then execute an engine burn to boost ORBCOMM into a 345 km x 750 km

orbit. Because this orbit crosses the ISS altitude, special attention is being paid to

minimize any collision hazard OG2 poses to ISS. A more complete description of the

mission and the process of pre-mission safety coordination being undertaken with NASA

are given in Appendix B of this Narrative Exhibit.

       (4)     End-Of-Life Disposal. ORBCOMM recognizes that responsible disposal

of post-mission hardware is the most practical and effective means of preserving the

orbital environment for future use. Upon completion of its mission, the perigee altitude

of each OG2 satellite will be lowered using its on-board propulsion system to facilitate a

more rapid, uncontrolled re-entry into the atmosphere. In each case, the perigee of the

satellite will be lowered sufficiently to ensure that following completion of the disposal

maneuver, the orbital lifetime of the hardware will be less than the Commission’s

guideline of twenty-five years.

       In order to determine the required target disposal perigee altitude, ORBCOMM

again utilized NASA’s DAS software. The target nominal operational altitude of 750 km

was used as the apogee altitude, and the required disposal perigee altitude and

corresponding delta velocity are given in the table below.



ORBCOMM          Apogee                              Required Perigee        Required Delta
                              Ave Area/Mass
  Satellite        Alt                                    Altitude               Velocity

    OG2          750 km           .0204 m2/kg             650 km               26.46 m/sec




                                                10


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       Sufficient fuel is being budgeted on each OG2 spacecraft to perform these

disposal maneuvers. The propulsion system uses hydrazine fuel, with an Isp of 222 sec.

Thus, from the following equation, the average fuel efficacy ratio of 13.6 m/sec per kg is

derived, and the nominal disposal reserve is to be 26.46/13.6 = 1.95 kg.

                                  dV = Isp x g x ln(Minitial/Mfinal)

       Fuel levels during the mission will be closely monitored both through direct

measurements of tank pressure and temperature and by tracking usage. Comparing two

measurement techniques will provide a check on expected fuel efficacy and fuel gauging

uncertainty during the course of the mission. It is expected that inefficiencies from

nozzle misalignment, CG misalignment, and ACS pointing error will sum to less than one

percent loss. Nevertheless, a margin of 5% is added to the nominal disposal reserve to

account for inefficiencies and gauging uncertainties, yielding a total disposal reserve of

2.04 kg.

       DAS modeling of the basic OG2 satellite physical elements indicates that, upon

atmospheric re-entry, the OG2 satellites will completely disintegrate and burn up, with no

elements of the spacecraft surviving to hit the surface of the Earth. In general, spacecraft

components that are most likely to survive re-entry are those that are protected by

multiple layers of material (e.g., those inside a box that is inside another …), or of

particularly high density (e.g., solid metal reaction wheels). Therefore, it was not

necessary to construct a minutely detailed OG2 satellite model to conduct the DAS re-

entry analysis. Focus was placed instead on the “nested-ness” and density of

representative components. Toward this end, ORBCOMM created a satellite model




                                             11


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consisting of an OG2 outer bus structure with the following internal components: the fuel

tank; structural pylons; reaction wheels; and an internal electronics box. External

spacecraft elements, such as the solar array and the antenna were not included in the

model, as these components will most certainly disintegrate early in the re-entry phase.

       The OG2 fuel tank was included because of the unique aerodynamics

characteristics that spherical tanks possess. The structural pylons and reaction wheels

were included because of their density, and because they are the most solid elements on

an OG2 spacecraft. Finally, the internal box was chosen as being representative of the

multiple internal OG2 satellite structures that house circuit cards and other smaller

components.

       The DAS analysis indicated that the OG2 outer bus will yield at an altitude of 78

km, exposing internal components to aerodynamic forces and heating. None of the

modeled components were predicted to survive to an altitude of lower than 49 km.

Because no OG2 component will survive to strike the ground, no casualty assessment is

necessary. It can be concluded, therefore, that the OG2 satellite end-of-life disposal plan

fully complies with the Commission’s orbital debris mitigation Rules and policies.




                                             12


                                                                         Attachment 3
                                                                        August 9, 2012
                                                                          Page 1 of 10




                     Application of ORBCOMM License Corp.
             For Authority to Modify its Non-Voice, Non-Geostationary
                 Satellite Service Space Segment License (S2103) to
               Revise the Next-Generation Satellite Deployment Plan

                         File No. SAT-MOD-20111021-00207


                              REVISED APPENDIX B
                             TO NARRATIVE EXHIBIT

           Details of First ORBCOMM OG2 Satellite SpaceX Falcon 9
         Launch Mission Profile and ISS Collision Avoidance Coordination



        The first ORBCOMM Generation 2 (“OG2”) satellite is planned to be launched as

a secondary payload on a Space Exploration Technologies (“SpaceX”) Falcon 9 launch

vehicle. The primary payload will be the SpaceX Dragon reusable spacecraft on its

initial NASA Commercial Resupply Services (“CRS-1”) mission to the International

Space Station (“ISS”). The CRS-1 mission launch is currently planned for early October

2012.

        SpaceX and ORBCOMM have participated in a series of NASA safety review

Technical Interchange Meetings (“TIMs”) to ensure, among other things, that there will

be no ISS conjunction issues posed by the mission. SpaceX is coordinating with NASA’s

Trajectory Operations Office (“TOPO”) directly on ISS safety with respect to the Falcon

9 launch vehicle and the primary Dragon mission. ORBCOMM has the lead in

establishing coordination procedures with TOPO regarding the OG2 spacecraft following

separation from the launch vehicle.



                                          B-1


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                                       Mission Profile

       The OG2 spacecraft will be mounted on a custom truss that is mated within the

Falcon 9 second stage extension, below the Dragon spacecraft as depicted in the photo

and accompanying illustration provided in Figure 1. SpaceX will initially target a 200

km x 345 km, 51.7 degree inclined orbit, where the Dragon spacecraft will be deployed.

The Falcon 9 second stage will then be reignited for 1.9 seconds at apogee to boost the

perigee from 200 km to 750 km. The OG2 spacecraft will then be released into a target

345 km x 750 km elliptical orbit. Onboard propulsion will then be utilized to climb to the

designated target operational altitude of 750 km circular.1 The planned Falcon 9 launch

sequence is depicted in Figure 2.




                        Figure 1: OG2 interface truss structure mated to
                                Falcon 9 second stage extension

1
        If the orbit injection accuracy of the launch vehicle is sub-optimal, special care
will be taken to preserve sufficient fuel for the OG2 satellite’s end-of-life disposal
maneuvers. Under such circumstances, it may be necessary to limit fuel used for initial
circularization, resulting in a lower operational perigee altitude for the first OG2 satellite.


                                             B-2


                                                                              Attachment 3
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                                                                               Page 3 of 10




                       Figure 2: Falcon 9 CRS-1 mission launch sequence



       Following launch vehicle separation, the OG2 spacecraft will undergo a

preliminary sequence of in-orbit-tests prior to commencing a maneuvering campaign to

raise the perigee. The first thrusts are expected no sooner than 3-4 days after launch,

which will provide adequate time to establish the health status and determine precise

ephemeris information of the OG2 spacecraft. Once begun, the priority of the thrust

campaign will be to raise the first OG2 satellite perigee to above ISS orbit altitude2 as

quickly as possible. Thrust durations may be varied, but nominal durations of 50 sec will

produce velocity changes of 30.3 cm/sec, resulting in increases of 1.07 km with each

maneuver. This initial phase of the OG2 satellite maneuver plan will require

approximately 100 individual thrusts and take several weeks to complete.


2
       The apogee altitude of ISS at the time of launch is currently expected to be in the
range of 400-425 km.


                                             B-3


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       Following completion of the first-phase maneuvers to raise the OG2 spacecraft

above the ISS apogee, two additional launch and early orbit phases (“LEOPs”) are

planned. The OG2 spacecraft will be subjected to a more complete battery of functional

testing, and a less intensive campaign of thrusting will raise the perigee to 750 km. These

two phases likely will be executed concurrently to some extent and are expected to take

2-3 months to fully complete.



                            Collision Avoidance Coordination

       Although the OG2 spacecraft will pass through the ISS altitude for only a few

weeks following LV separation, the ISS collision risk is being minimized and managed in

close coordination with NASA through a series of technical interchange meetings and the

establishment of formal information exchange procedures.3

       NASA has indicated that ISS requires 56 hours to evaluate pending conjunctions

and make necessary preparations if the ISS is required to maneuver. Therefore, SpaceX

and NASA/TOPO are establishing launch window criteria that will ensure comfortable

ISS separation distances from all objects associated with the launch that will pass through

ISS’s altitude within 56 hours of launch. This is being accomplished via trajectory

analysis, and the net result is expected to be a small cut-out of injection phase angles for




3
       ORBCOMM’s point of contact within MOD/TOPO is Bryan Corley, DM33/ISS
Trajectory Operations, ph: (281) 483-8013, email: bryan.m.corley@nasa.gov.



                                            B-4


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Dragon that effectively translate to minor launch window timing restrictions.4 Collision

risk mitigation beyond this initial 56-hour period will be accomplished through

operational coordination rather than purely through pre-launch analysis. The Falcon 9

second stage will be treated by NASA as is any other uncontrollable, tracked object, but

OG2 spacecraft trajectories will be managed actively to avoid ISS conjunctions. The

specific procedural details are still being finalized, but the general process of

coordination with NASA has been established. Maneuver plans will be created in

advance and shared with NASA and JSpOC along with ephemeris predictions and

characterizations of related uncertainties. These plans will be assessed by NASA, and

any anticipated ISS safety perimeter violations will be investigated and cleared, or thrust

plans will be modified to assure adequate separation. Thrusts will then be executed and

confirmed, and post-maneuvering ephemerides will be provided to NASA and JSpOC.

       It should be noted that even unmanaged, ORBCOMM/ISS conjunctions are not

likely to occur often, if at all. The initial OG2 elliptical orbit following separation from

the launch vehicle will assure that the ORBCOMM spacecraft will spend very little time

in the ISS altitude range. Additionally, this initial orbit will not be exactly coplanar with

the ISS orbit. Deploying Dragon into a proper rendezvous orbit requires a small initial

difference in ascending node between OG2 and ISS, and this difference will grow over

time at the rate of approximately 0.34 deg/day, owing to the higher mean altitude of the

initial OG2 orbit. This will rapidly provide an increasing cross-track degree of separation


4
         Exhibit 1 to this Appendix B is a document provided by SpaceX that provides
more detail ISS collision risk mitigation procedures that are undertaken with respect to
the initial 56 hour period following a SpaceX Falcon 9 ISS mission launch.


                                             B-5


                                                                            Attachment 3
                                                                           August 9, 2012
                                                                             Page 6 of 10


that further reduces the probability that OG2 spacecraft will penetrate ISS’s safety

perimeter.

         Furthermore, the initial difference in period between OG2 and ISS causes ISS to

overtake OG2 in-track (in a lapping sense, that is) approximately every two days. This

means there is only one opportunity every two days for a conjunction to exist, and a

safety perimeter violation would only occur if OG2 is also within +/-2 km in altitude

AND within +/-25 km cross-track at the same time.5

         In addition to the initial safety provided by the trajectory design, ORBCOMM

will use on-board GPS receivers to actively monitor the location of the OG2 spacecraft,

and produce and share ground-based orbit determination solutions derived from this

telemetry. Early GPS data will be taken at high rates to assure rapid and accurate orbit

solutions, and timely downloading of this telemetry will be made possible by

ORBCOMM’s extensive worldwide Gateway Earth Station (“GES”) network.6 Figure 4

depicts GES satellite tracking coverage at 750 km altitude. To further ensure accurate

tracking of the OG2 spacecraft following launch vehicle separation, ORBCOMM will

also actively coordinate with NASA and JSpOC to exchange maneuver plans and




5
        The periodicity of altitude/cross-track alignments is on the order of about four
weeks, making the probability that all three conditions required for a conjunction would
actually occur unlikely during the brief time that OG2’s perigee is below the ISS altitude.
6
         There are currently sixteen (16) ORBCOMM GESs deployed throughout the
world.


                                            B-6


                                                                             Attachment 3
                                                                            August 9, 2012
                                                                              Page 7 of 10


confirmations thereof, ORBCOMM-generated ephemeris solutions, and JSpOC

conjunction summary messages (“CSM”) as they are derived.7

       It should be noted that ORBCOMM has an established internal operations policy

for responding to close conjunctions that is adhered to during all phases of ORBCOMM

satellite operations (i.e., during initial maneuvering campaigns, in operational orbit, and

during disposal maneuvering). No fuel needs to be specifically allocated for collision

avoidance during orbit raising or disposal maneuvering, however, as any such maneuvers

are typically planned to coincide with the orbit-raising/lowering objectives.




                    Figure 4: ORBCOMM satellite tracking coverage provided
               at 750 km altitude by existing worldwide ORBCOMM GES network




7
      ORBCOMM and JSpOC have had a long-established relationship with regular
exchanges JSpOC CSM and internally generated ephemeris data for the operational
ORBCOMM satellite constellation.


                                            B-7


                                                                                Attachment 3
                                                                               August 9, 2012
                                                                                 Page 8 of 10


        Following the first above-described OG2 Falcon 9 launch mission, ORBCOMM

currently plans to launch the remaining 17 OG2 satellites on subsequent Falcon 9

missions. The OG2 spacecraft carried on these later Falcon 9 launches will be inserted

either directly into the target 750 km circular operational orbit, or at a lower parking

altitude that will facilitate separating satellites into different nodal planes for operational

deployment. In either case, these subsequent launches are planned to be conducted

several hundred kilometers above the ISS operational altitude, and thus, will not pose any

ISS conjunction hazards.8

        At end-of-life, ORBCOMM satellites will be placed into a disposal orbit with a

target apogee altitude of 750 km and a maximum target perigee altitude of 650 km. This

orbit will decay over a period of 20-25 years, ultimately resulting in atmospheric reentry.

During this decay, atmospheric drag is most influential at the orbit’s perigee, so the orbit

will become more circular prior to reaching the ISS altitude regime. This is important,

since a circular orbit for a descending OG2 satellite will spend less time at ISS altitude

than an elliptical orbit. The total duration of altitude overlap between a decommissioned

OG2 satellite and ISS is expected to be short – only on the order of months.

        During this period in which the altitudes of ISS and an OG2 satellite overlap,

there will be no preferred relative orientation of the planes, and the two orbits will cross

twice per orbit. This is true of any two orbits sharing the same altitude, regardless of




8
       ORBCOMM is also continuing to investigate alternative cost-efficient launch
opportunities that meet OG2 mission requirements.


                                              B-8


                                                                             Attachment 3
                                                                            August 9, 2012
                                                                              Page 9 of 10


their inclinations, so there is nothing particularly unique about the descending retired

OG2 satellites being at or near the same inclination as the ISS.9

       All safety review and other planning activities for the OG2 launch program are

being undertaken in full accordance with NASA procedures for ISS-related missions.

ORBCOMM and SpaceX have had extensive coordination discussions, and NASA has

never raised any concern regarding potential decommissioned OG2 satellite conjunctions

with ISS. It is expected that NASA will treat decommissioned OG2 satellites as it does

any other inactive satellite or debris. They are easily tracked, and the ISS has standard

procedures for assessing collision threats and maneuvering to avoid known debris.

       Finally, it should also be noted that OG2 satellites are not expected to reach ISS

altitudes until very close to the end of orbital life, which only happens after 5-10+ years

of operational life and another 20+ years of orbital decay. The ISS would have to remain

operational through 2040 or beyond for OG2 spacecraft conjunctions to even raise a

theoretical concern.




9
        The revised OG2 operational orbit plan calls for one OG2 satellite to be deployed
at a 51.7 degree inclination and the other 17 satellites to be deployed at 52 degrees
inclination.


                                            B-9


        Attachment 3
       August 9, 2012
        Page 10 of 10




B-10


                                                                                    Attachment 4
                                                                                   August 9, 2012
                                                                                      Page 1 of 5


                         Application of ORBCOMM License Corp.
                 For Authority to Modify its Non-Voice, Non-Geostationary
                     Satellite Service Space Segment License (S2103) to
                   Revise the Next-Generation Satellite Deployment Plan

                             File No. SAT-MOD-20111021-00207


            REQUEST FOR MODIFICATION OR WAIVER OF MILESTONE


       In connection with this amendment, supplement, and update to the above-referenced

application, ORBCOMM License Corp. (“ORBCOMM”) also respectfully requests that the

Commission grant a modification and/or waiver of the fourth satellite implementation milestone

in ORBCOMM’s current FCC space segment authorization (FCC Call Sign S2103) that requires

ORBCOMM to launch the first two ORBCOMM Generation 2 (“OG2”) satellites by September

21, 2012.1 As demonstrated below, grant of the proposed milestone modification is consistent

with the applicable Commission Rules as well as the underlying objectives of the Commission’s

satellite implementation milestone policies, and would well serve the public interest.


       The public policy objective of the Commission’s satellite system implementation

milestones is to deter speculation, to ensure that the licensee is progressing with the development

of a new satellite system in a timely manner, and to preclude “warehousing” of the authorized




1
       See, In the Matter of Applications by ORBCOMM License Corp. For Authority to Modify
its Non-Voice, Non-Geostationary Satellite System, Order & Authorization, DA 08-633 (March
21, 2008), 23 FCC Rcd 4804 (2008) (the “Next-Generation Space Segment License”), at ¶ 23(d).


                                                                                     Attachment 4
                                                                                    August 9, 2012
                                                                                       Page 2 of 5


frequencies and orbital resources.2 It is quite clear that there is no speculation or “warehousing”

occurring with respect to ORBCOMM’s Next-Generation Space Segment License.


       The ORBCOMM system commenced commercial operations in 1995. Since that time,

the ORBCOMM system has and continues to make full use of its authorized spectrum and orbital

resources through the ongoing operation of the first generation ORBCOMM satellite

constellation. The OG2 satellites authorized under the Next-Generation Space Segment License

will replenish and upgrade ORBCOMM’s currently operating system, and thus cannot be

characterized as a speculative new satellite system. The milestone modification requested in this

submission will not disrupt the continuous provision of service.3 Moreover, as demonstrated by

ORBCOMM’s previously submitted milestone completion filings, construction of all eighteen

currently authorized OG2 satellites is well underway and scheduled for completion in a timely

manner.4


       ORBCOMM requires additional time to complete the first OG2 satellite launch as a result

of delays due to circumstances that are beyond ORBCOMM’s reasonable control. For this

reason, ORBCOMM requests a six (6) month extension of the fourth satellite implementation

milestone established by the Next-Generation Space Segment License. ORBCOMM also


2
     See, e.g., Amendment of the Commission's Space Station Licensing Rules and Policies, 18
FCC Rcd 10760 (2003), at ¶ 175.
3
        Cf., Intelsat LLC, 19 FCC Rcd 5266 (2004), at ¶ 4 (“Intelsat further asserts that since the
INTELSAT 10-02 satellite is a replacement satellite for the existing INTELSAT 707 satellite
currently operating at 1º W.L., the short delays in construction and launch will not result in the
warehousing of orbital locations.”).
4
       Id., at ¶ 5.


                                                 2


                                                                                     Attachment 4
                                                                                    August 9, 2012
                                                                                       Page 3 of 5


respectfully requests a further modification or waiver of the subject initial launch milestone to

require deployment of one instead of two satellites.5


       There have been several revisions of OG2 launch plans due to changes in launch vehicle

availability and delays in satellite production, both of which have been beyond ORBCOMM’s

reasonable control.6 ORBCOMM is now planning to launch the first OG2 satellite as a

secondary payload on the upcoming first Space Exploration Technologies (“SpaceX”)

International Space Station (“ISS”) Commercial Resupply Services (“CRS-1”) mission. The

remaining seventeen authorized OG2 satellites are planned to be deployed on subsequent

launches of an upgraded version of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. Program delays that are beyond

the reasonable control of the satellite system licensee are not an uncommon occurrence in the




5
        Although the fourth satellite implementation milestone in the Next-Generation Space
Segment License requires launch of the first two OG2 satellites by September 21, 2012, Section
25.164(b)(4) of the Commission’s Rules setting forth the standardized fourth satellite
implementation milestone for non-geostationary satellite system licenses only requires launch of,
“the first satellite in the licensed satellite system.” 47 C.F.R. § 25.164(b)(4), 68 FR 51507, Aug.
27, 2003, as amended at 69 FR 51587, Aug. 20, 2004. In the unlikely event that the Commission
does not grant ORBCOMM’s request to modify the fourth OG2 satellite implementation
milestone to require launch of one instead to two satellites, ORBCOMM respectfully requests
that the Commission grant an additional six (6) month extension (until September 21, 2013) for
launch of the second OG2 satellite.
6
        Launch opportunities for OG2 satellites (and commercial satellites in general) are quite
limited, with long lead times, and many other variables that are beyond the reasonable control of
an FCC satellite licensee. Among other things, because small satellites such as the OG2
spacecraft are often launched as secondary payloads, unforeseeable delays and other changes
relating to primary payload missions dictate the final launch date and mission profile. Similarly,
unforeseeable satellite manufacturing delays beyond the reasonable control of the FCC satellite
licensee are not uncommon in the satellite industry, particularly in cases such as the OG2
program that entail innovative new satellite designs.


                                                 3


                                                                                   Attachment 4
                                                                                  August 9, 2012
                                                                                     Page 4 of 5


space industry, and the Commission has previously granted modifications of launch milestones

based on similar circumstances.7


       As previously stated, there is no speculation or “warehousing” occurring, and the

proposed milestone modification otherwise comports with the Commission’s Rules and public

policy objectives. Moreover, by obtaining launch services from a relatively new provider using a

groundbreaking new-generation launch vehicle, ORBCOMM is helping to support the entry of

an additional competitor into this currently limited market.8 Having additional launch options

will allow ORBCOMM (as well as others) to replace or replenish satellites more quickly and

more efficiently, thus enhancing system reliability. Similarly, Sierra Nevada Corporation

(“SNC”), ORBCOMM’s prime contractor for the OG2 program, is also a recent new entrant in

the limited commercial satellite manufacturing sector. Moreover, because SpaceX and SNC are

both U.S. companies, their key involvement in the OG2 program will help to strengthen the

competitiveness of the U.S. launch and commercial satellite production industries, not to

mention the substantial added benefit of sustaining and creating jobs in this country. Indeed,

strengthening U.S.-based commercial space capabilities also enhances national security.9


7
        See, e.g., Intelsat LLC, 19 FCC Rcd 5266 (2004) at ¶ 7 (launch provider had assigned a
new launch window). Even when the Commission has not granted requests for satellite
implementation milestone modification, it has acted to provide the requested relief by waiver in
situations such as the instant case, where “…the relief requested would not undermine the policy
objective of the rule in question and would otherwise serve the public interest.” See, e.g.,
Echostar Satellite Corporation, 18 FCC Rcd 15875 (2003), at ¶ 9.
8
       See generally, CSIS Report “National Security and the Commercial Space Sector,” (July,
2010), attached to the Joint Comments of Echostar, Intelsat, SES World Skies and Telesat
Canada submitted in IB Docket No. 10-99, filed August 23, 2010.
9
       Id.

                                                4


                                                                                    Attachment 4
                                                                                   August 9, 2012
                                                                                      Page 5 of 5


       For all of the above-stated reasons, the public interest will be well served by the prompt

grant of the requested modification or waiver of the first OG2 satellite launch milestone.


                                      Respectfully submitted,

                                      ORBCOMM LICENSE CORP.



                               By: ____________________________

                                      Walter H. Sonnenfeldt
                                      Regulatory Counsel
                                      ORBCOMM License Corp. &
                                      Vice President, Regulatory Affairs
                                      ORBCOMM Inc.
                                      2115 Linwood Avenue, Suite 100
                                      Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024

August 9, 2012




                                                5



Document Created: 2012-08-09 15:28:17
Document Modified: 2012-08-09 15:28:17

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