Attachment letter

letter

LETTER submitted by IB, FCC

letter

2007-04-27

This document pretains to SAT-LOA-20070314-00051 for Application to Launch and Operate on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATLOA2007031400051_563372

                                     Federal Communications Commission
                                              Washington, DC 20554
International Bureau




                                                       April 27, 2007


Elizabeth R. Park.
Latham & Watkins LLP
555 Eleventh Street, NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20004—1304


                       Re: ViaSat, Inc. Applications for Launch and Operating Authority for Satellites Operating
                       in the Ka—Band Fixed Satellite Service, File Nos. SAT—LOA—20070209—00028, Call Sign
                       $2732, and SAT—LOA—20070314—00051, Call Sign $2737


Dear Ms. Park:

        This letter requests additional information regarding the above—captioned applications
("Applications") that ViaSat, Inc. ("ViaSat") filed on February 9 and March 14, 2007. The Applications are
substantially similar and request that the Commussion grant launch and operation authority for two new Ka—
band Fixed Satellite Service ("FSS") satellites to be located at the 115.2° W.L. (file no. SAT—LOA—
20070209—00028) and 77.3° W.L. (file no. SAT—LOA—20070314—00051) orbital locations. Prior to further
processing of the Applications, we seek supplemental information regarding an aspect of the orbital debris
mitigation/end—of—life operations statements that ViaSat has provided.

         In the Appendix A, Technical Annex, of each of the Applications, ViaSat says that "[alt end—of—life
and once the satellite has been placed into its final disposal orbit, all on—board sources of stored energy will
be depleted or secured, and the batteries will be discharged."‘ Section 25.114(d)(14)(ii) of the Commission‘s
rules sets forth an applicant‘s reporting requirements regarding the assessment and probability of accidental
explosions. Specifically, the rule requires:
                       [a] statement that the space station operator has assessed and limited the probability of
                    accidental explosions during and after completion of mission operations. This statement
                   must include a demonstration that debris generation will not result from the conversion of
                    energy sources on board the spacecraft into energy that fragments the spacecraft. Energy
                    sources include chemical, pressure, and kinetic energy. This demonstration should address
                   whether stored energy will be removed at the spacecraft‘s end oflife, by depleting residual
                   fuel and leaving allfuel line valves open, venting any pressurized system, leaving all
                   batteries in a permanent discharge state, and removing any remaining source ofstored
                   energy, or through other equivalent procedures specifically disclosed in the application. . . ?

Please confirm that ViaSat‘s statement that "all on—board sources of stored energy will be depleted or
secured" is an indication that it will remove the spacecrafts‘ stored energy by depleting residual fuel and
leaving all fuel line valves open, venting any pressurized system, leaving all batteries in a permanent


‘File No. SAT—LOA—20070209—00028, Appendix A, Technical Annex, Sec. 15.2, p. 19 and File No. SAT—LOA—
20070314—00051, Appendix A, Technical Annex, Sec. 15.2, p. 19.
> 47 C.F.R. § 25.114(d)(14)(ii) (emphasis added).


discharge state, and removing any remaining source of stored energy. Alternatively, if Viasat is relying on
what it believes to be "other equivalent procedures," please submit a detailed description of the procedures
that will be relied on, as well as an analysis of the equivalency of these measures to those identified in the
rule. We also note that Section 25.283(c) of the Commission‘s rules sets forth a requirement to vent fuel,
relieve pressure vessels, and discharge batteries at the spacecraft‘s end oflife."
        Please provide the requested confirmation regarding ViaSat‘s orbital debris mitigation statements to
the Secretary before May 15, 2007 with a courtesy copy to both Kal Krautkramer and Arthur Lechtman of
my staff. Please contact either Mr. Krautkramer or Mr. Lechtman at (202) 418—0719 if you have any
questions.




                                                                 Sincerely,



                                                                 Robert G. Nelson
                                                                 Chief, Satellite Division



cc:   Keven Lippert
      ViaSat, Inc.
      6155 El Camino Real
      Carlsbad, CA 92009




* Specifically, this section provides that "[uJpon completion of any relocation authorized by paragraph (b) of this
section, or any relocation at end—of—life specified in an authorization, or upon a spacecraft otherwise completing its
authorized mission, a space station licensee shall ensure, unless prevented by technical failures beyond its control, that
all stored energy sources on board the satellite are discharged, by venting excess propellant, discharging batteries,
relieving pressure vessels, and other appropriate measures." 47 C.F.R. § 25.283(c).

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Document Created: 2007-04-27 14:24:32
Document Modified: 2007-04-27 14:24:32

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