Attachment BlackSky Global - Gr

BlackSky Global - Gr

DECISION submitted by IB, FCC

Grant

2019-05-16

This document pretains to SAT-MOD-20190314-00015 for Modification on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATMOD2019031400015_1684723

— - ~ .,;I P~C#i~S~flT.~ ~ S3032 SAT-MOD2Oj9O314~OOlS 1B20 19000755 BlackSky Global, LLC Global 1, 2, 3, & 4 identifier~ ~“ TermDates ~ ~ Approved by 0MB To. 3060—0678 GRANTED /./~// Date & Time Filed: Mar 14 2019 4:23:50:500AM lnlcrmtinnal l3urcau Approved: File Number: SAT MOD 20190314 00015 •~Lh~ ~c~yFflcn~ F- z3:D.&~tu ~ FCC APPLICATION FOR SPACE AND EARTH STATION:MOD OR AMD - MAIN FORM FCC Use Only FCC 312 MAIN FORM FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY APPLICANT INFORMATION Enter a description of this application to identify it on the main menu: Modification of space station 1—8. Legal Name of Applicant Name: BlackSky Global. LLC Phone Number: 206—399—2325 DBA Fax Number: Na me: Street: 1505 Westlake Ave. North. Ste 600 E—Mail: khloptsidis~Spacet1ightlndustries. coni City: Seattle State: WA Country: USA Zipcode: 98109 Attention: Ms Kristina Hloptsidis

ATTACHMENT TO GRANT BlackSky Global LLC IBFS File No. SAT-MOD-20190314-00015 IBFS File No(s): SAT-MOD-20190314-00015’ GRANT — Licensee/Grantee: BiackSky Global LLC (BiackSky) With Conditions Call Sign: S3032 Satellite Name: Global-i, Giobal-2, Giobal-3, & Giobal-4 Orbital Location: Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) (see scope of grant (required station- below) keeping tolerance) Administration: United States of America Nature of Service: Earth Exploration Satellite Service (EESS) International Bureau Satellite_Division Scope of Grant: Modification of authority to construct, deploy and operate a non-geostationary orbit Earth Exploration Satellite Service constellation to include: (i) a change in the propulsion system to be employed for Global-4 from a butane-based to water-based system; and (ii) authority to construct, deploy, and operate a constellation of up to 4 NGSO space stations, initially deployed to orbital apogee altitudes ranging from 435 km to 585 km and with inclinations ranging from 42 degrees to polar sun-synchronous (nominal 98 degrees). Previous Grant(s) Authority to construct, deploy, and operate a constellation of up to 4 technically identical NGSO space stations, initially deployed to orbital apogee altitudes ranging from 460 km to 585 km and with inclinations ranging from 42 degrees to polar sun-synchronous (nominal 98 degrees).2 Pursuant to this previous authorization, Global-i operates at a mean altitude of 487 km with an inclination of 97.49 degrees, and Global-2 operates at a mean altitude of 581 km with an inclination of 97.76 degrees.3 Service Area(s): Global. See Schedule S Tech Report and associated antenna gain contours. Frequencies: 8025-8400 (space-to-Earth) (remote sensing data) ~ 1575.42 MHz (GPS) (receive-only) Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TI&C) frequencies: 2025-2110 MHz (Earth-to-space) (primary TT&C uplink) 401.5 MHz or 401.375 MHz (space-to-Earth) (secondary TT&C downlink) 449.75-450.25 MHz (Earth-to-space) (secondary TT&C uplink) (center carrier frequency at 450.2 MHz) ‘The application was placed on Public Notice as accepted for filing on March 22, 2019. See Policy Branch Information, Applications Acceptedfor Filing, Public Notice, Report No. SAT-0l379 (IBFS File No. SAT-MOD-201903l4-00015). 2 See Policy Branch Information, Satellite Space Applications Actions Taken, Public Notice, DA 18-1098, Report No.SAT 01356 (IBFS File No. SAT-LOA-20180320-00023). ~ Letter from Kristina Hloptsidis, Director of Regulatory and Compliance, to Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, FCC, IBFS File No. SAT-LOA-20180320-00023 (filed Dec. 28, 2018) (December28 Letter). Page 1 of 3

ATTACHMENT TO GRANT BlackSky Global LLC IBFS File No. SAT-MOD-20 1903 14-000 15 Operations under this grant must comport with the legal and technical specifications set forth by the applicant or petitioner and with Federal Communication Commission’s rules not waived herein. This grant is also subject to the following conditions: 1. BlackSky must prepare the necessary information, as may be required, for submission to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to initiate and complete the advance publication, coordination, due diligence, and notification process for these space stations, in accordance with the ITU Radio Regulations. BlackSky shall be held responsible for all cost-recovery fees associated with ITU filings. No protection from interference caused by radio stations authorized by other administrations is guaranteed unless coordination and notification procedures are timely completed or, with respect to individual administrations, by successfully completing coordination agreements. Any radio station authorization for which coordination has not been completed may be subject to additional terms and conditions as required to effect coordination with the frequency assignments of other administrations. See 47 CFR § 25.111(b). 2. BlackSky must coordinate physical operations of spacecraft with any operator using similar orbits, for the purpose of eliminating collision risk and minimizing operational impacts. The orbital parameters specified in this grant are subject to change based on such coordination. 3. Upon receipt of a conjunction warning from the JSpOC or other source, BlackSky must review the warning and take all possible steps to assess and, if necessary, to mitigate collision risk, including, but not limited to: contacting the operator of any active spacecraft involved in si.~ch warning; sharing ephemeris data and other appropriate operational information with any such operator; modifying spacecraft attitude and/or operations. 4. BlackSky shall tune T]E&C UHF links to 401.5 MHz or 401.375 MHz as this represents the agreed transmit frequencies with NOAA to minimize interference to NOAA GOES Data Collection System (DCS), and radiosonde operations and continue to work closely with NOAA to identify and implement any further measures needed to avoid RFI to the systems mentioned earlier. For future mission planning, transition out of 40 1-406 MHz to avoid interference to DCS and radiosondes is recommended by October 2021. BlackSky and NOAA shall work jointly to explore future mitigation strategies to avoid interference to NOAA missions. 5. Operations in the 449.75-450.25 MHz (Earth-to-space) frequency band are limited to telecommand and must be consistent with footnote US87 to the U.S. Table of Frequency Allocations, 47 CFR § 2.106. BlackSky must take all practical steps to keep the telecommand carrier frequency close to 450 MHz. 6. Operations pursuant to this authorization must not cause harmful interference to stations operating in the 2025-2110 MHz band in accordance with the U.S. Table of Frequency Allocations. See 47 CFR § 2.106, Footnote US347. 7. Transmissions of remote-sensing data in the 8025-8400 MHz frequency band may only be made to earth stations coordinated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). BlackSky shall provide the FCC the list of coordinated earth stations. 8. Power flux-density from operation in the 8025-8400 MHz band must not exceed the limits in No. 22.5 and Table 21-4 of the International Telecommunication Unions Radio Regulations, the limits/protection criteria in Recommendation ITU-R SA.1157-1 must be met, and the guidelines in Recommendation ITU-R SA.1810 must be followed. 9. Given the opportunity for additional entrants to operate in the 8025-8400 MHz band, we grant BlackSky’ s request for waiver of the modified processing round requirements of 47 CFR § § 25.156 and 25.157. See DigitalGiobe, Inc., Order and Authorization, 20 FCC Red 15696 (Sat. Div., Int’l Bur. 2005), at paragraph 8. 10. Because BlackSky must comply with technical requirements in Part 2 of the Commission’s rules and the above-referenced power flux-density limits, which should prevent harmful interference to other operations in the band, we grant its request for a waiver of the default service rules in 47 CFR § 25.2 17(b). See DigitalGiobe, Inc., supra at paragraph 15. Page 2 of 3

ATTACHMENT TO GRANT BlackSky Global LLC IBFS File No. SAT-MOD-20 190314-00015 11. BlackSky’s request for a waiver of Section 25.114(c) of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 25.114(c), to the extent described in its application with respect to certain information to be provided in the Schedule S for Global-3, IS GRANTED. We find that a waiver is warranted for the requirement for orbital information on the Schedule S for Global-3 because the unique circumstances BlackSky detailed in its Narrative are sufficient good cause for waiver. 12. BlackSky must launch the remaining space stations necessary to complete its authorized service constellation, place them in their assigned orbits, and operate them in accordance with the authorization no later than October 3, 2027.~ 13. Prior to commencing operations with the space stations authorized herein, BlackSky must file with the Commission the information required by Section 25.172 of the Commission’s rules, 47 CFR § 25.172. 14. Within 30 days after launching each satellite authorized herein, BlackSky must file a notification with the Commission specifying the satellite’s orbital altitude and inclination. 15. The license term expires on December 28, 2033. 16. BlackSky must launch the space stations no later than October 31, 2020. No authority is granted to deploy space stations after October 31, 2020. Licensee/grantee is afforded thirty (30) days from the date of release of this action to decline the grant as conditioned. Failure to respond within this period will constitute formal acceptance of the grant as conditioned. This action is taken pursuant to Section 0.261 of the Commission’s rules on delegated authority, 47 CFR § 0.261, and is effective upon release. Station licenses are subject to the conditions specified in Section 309(h) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. § 309(h). Action May 16, 2019 Date: Term Dates From: see conditions To: see conditions Approved: I / Ste .7’ J. Duall Chie Satellite Policy Branch , “BlackSky’s authorization was originally subject to milestone and bond conditions, but BlackSky subsequently informed that that Global-l, Global-2 were launched, deployed, and in operation pursuant to the initial license and thus satisfied the milestone and bond conditions, with the exception of the requirement to deploy and operate the remaining two satellites in its proposed constellation by October 3, 2027. See December28 Letter. Page 3 of 3

9—16. Name of Contact Representative Name: Jonathan L. Wiener Phone Number: 202—429—4900 Company: Goldberg, Godles, Wiener & Fax Number: Wright LLP Street: 1025 Connecticut Aye, NW E—Mail: jwiener~g2w2.com Ste 1000 City: Washington State: DC Country: USA Zipcode: 20036— Attention: Relationship: Legal Counsel CLASSIFICATION OF FILING

17. Choose the button next to the classification that applies to this filing for (N/A) bi. Application for License of New Station both questions a. and b. Choose only one (N/A) b2. Application for Registration of New Domestic Receive—Only Station for 17a and only one for I 7b. 0 b3. Amendment to a Pending Application b4. Modification of License or Registration 0 al.Earth Station b5. Assignment of License or Registration a2. Space Station b6. Transfer of Control of License or Registration 0 b7. Notification of Minor Modification (N/A) b8. Application for License of New Receive—Only Station Using Non—U.S. Licensed Satellite (N/A) b9. Letter of Intent to Use Non—U.S. Licensed Satellite to Provide Service in the United States (N/A) b 10. Other (Please specify) (N/A) bI I. Application for Earth Station to Access a Non—U.S.satellite Not Currently Authorized to Provide the Proposed Service in the Proposed Frequencies in the United States (N/A) b12. Application for Database Entry o b13. Amendment to a Pending Database Entry Application o bl4. Modification of Database Entry 17c. Is a fee submitted with this application? • If Yes, complete and attach FCC Form 159. If No, indicate reason for fee exemption (see 47 C.F.R.Section 1.1114). 0 Governmental Entity ~ Noncommercial educational I icensee o Other(please explain): I 7d. Fee Classification CGW — Space Station Modification(Non— Geostationary)

18. If this filing is in reference to an 19. If this tiling is an amendment to a pending application enter both fields. if this filing is a existing station, enter: modification please enter only the file number: (a) Call sign of station: (a) Date pending application was tiled: (b) File number: S3032 SATLOA2O 18032000023 TYPE OF SERVICE 20. NATURE OF SERVICE: This tiling is for an authorization to provide or use the following type(s) of service(s): Select all that apply: Q a. Fixed Satellite Q h. Mobile Satellite c. Radiodetermination Satellite d. Earth Exploration Satellite Q e. Direct to Home Fixed Satellite Q f. Digital Audio Radio Service Q g. Other (please specify) 21. STATUS: Choose the button next to the applicable status. Choose 22. If earth station applicant, check all that apply. only one. Q Using U.S. licensed satellites 0 Common Carrier Non—Common Carrier Q Using Non—U.S. licensed satellites 23. If applicant is providng INTERNATIONAL COMMON CARRIER service, see instructions regarding Sec. 214 filings. Choose one. Are these facilities: 0 Connected to a Public Switched Network Not connected to a Public Switched Network N/A

24. FREQUENCY BAND(S): Place an ‘X. in the box(es) next to all applicable frequency band(s). Q a. C—Band (4/6 GHz) Q b. Ku—Band (12/14 GHz) c.Other (Please specify upper and lower frequencies in MHz.) Frequency Lower: 401 Frequency Upper: 8400 (Please specify additional frequencies in an attachment) TYPE OF STATION 25. CLASS OF STATION: Choose the button next to the class of station that applies. Choose only one. 0 a. Fixed Earth Station o b. Temporary—Fixed Earth Station o c. 12/14GHz VSAT Network o d. Mobile Earth Station e. Geostationary Space Station • f. Non—Geostationary Space Station o g. Other (please specify) 26. TYPE OF EARTH STATION FACILITY: o Transmit/Receive ~ Transmit—Only ~ Receive—Only • N/A “For Space Station applications, select N/A.”

PURPOSE OF MODIFICATION 27. The purpose of this proposed modit~cation is to: (Place an ‘X’ in the box(es) next to all that apply.) Qa —— authorization to add new emission designator and related service b —— authorization to change emission designator and related service Q c authorization to increase EIRP and EIRP density —--- Q d authorization to replace antenna —— Q e authorization to add antenna —— Q f—— authorization to relocate fixed station Q g authorization to change frequencv(ies) —— Q h authorization to add frequency — Q i authorization to add Points of Comm unication (satellites &amp~ countries) —— EJ ~ authorization to change Points of Communication (satellites & countries) —— Q k authorization for facilities for which environmental assessment and —— radiation hazard reporting is required —— authorization to change orbit location Qm —— authorization to perform fleet management Qn — authorization to extend milestones o — Other (Please specify)

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY 28. Would a Commission grant of any proposal in this application or amendment have a significant environmental o Yes No impact as defined by 47 CFR 1.1307? IfYES, submit the statement as required by Sections 1 .1308 and 1.1 31 1 of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. 1. 1308 and 1 .131 1, as an exhibit to this application.A Radiation Hazard Study must accompany all applications for new transmitting facilities, major modifications, or major amendments. ALIEN OWNERSHIP Earth station applicants not proposing to provide broadcast, common carrier, aeronautical en route or aeronautical fixed radio station services are not required to respond to Items 30—34. 29. Is the applicant a foreign government or the representative of any foreign government? o Yes No 30. Is the applicant an alien or the representative of an alien? 0 Yes No N/A 31. Is the applicant a corporation organized under the laws of any foreign government? 0 Yes 0 No N/A 32. Is the applicant a corporation of which more than one—fifth of the capital stock is ow’ned of record or voted by o Yes 0 No N/A aliens or their representatives or by a foreign government or representative thereof or by any corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country?

33. Is the applicant a corporation directly or indirectly controlled by any other corporation of which more than o Yes No N/A one—fourth of the capital stock is owned of record or voted by aliens, their representatives, or by a foreign government or representative thereof or by any corporation organized under the laws of a foreign country? 34. If any answer to questions 29,30,31.32 and/or 33 is Yes, attach as an exhibit an identification of the aliens or foreign entities, their nationality, their relationship to the applicant, and the percentage of stock they own or vote. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS 35. Does the Applicant request any waivers or exemptions from any of the Commission’s Rules? 0 Yes No If Yes. attach as an exhibit, copies of the requests for waivers or exceptions w’ith supporting documents. 36. Has the applicant or any party to this application or amendment had any FCC station authorization or license o Yes No revoked or had any application for an initial. modification or renewal of FCC station authorization, license, or construction permit denied by the Commission? If Yes, attach as an exhibit, an explination of circumstances.

37. Has the applicant, or any party to this application or amendment. or any party directly or indirectly controlling o Yes No the applicant ever been convicted of a felony by any state or federal court? If Yes, attach as an exhibit, an explination of circumstances. 38. Has any court finally adjudged the applicant, or any person directly or indirectly controlling the applicant, o Yes No guilty of unlawfully monopolizing or attemptiing unlawfully to monopolize radio communication. directly or indirectly, through control of manufacture or sale of radio apparatus. exclusive traffic arrangement or any other means or unfair methods of competition?lf Yes, attach as an exhibit. an explanation of circumstances 39. Is the applicant, or any person directly or indirectly controlling the applicant, currently a party in any pending o Yes No matter referred to in the preceding two items? If yes. attach as an exhinit, an explanation of the circumstances. 40. If the applicant is a corporation and is applying for a space station license, attach as an exhibit the names. address, and citizenship of those stockholders owning a record and/or voting 10 percent or more of the Filer’s voting stock and the percentages so held. In the case of fiduciary control, indicate the beneficiary(ies) or class of Exhibit 2 beneficiaries. Also list the names and addresses of the officers and directors of the Filer.

41. By checking Yes, the undersigned certifies, that neither applicant nor any other party to the application is Yes No subject to a denial of Federal benefits that includes FCC benefits pursuant to Section 5301 of the Anti—Drug Act of 1988, 21 U.S.C. Section 862, because of a conviction for possession or distribution of a controlled substance. See 47 CFR 1.2002(b) for the meaning of &quot~party to the application&quot: for these purposes. 42a. Does the applicant intend to use a non—U.S. licensed satellite to provide service in the United States? If Yes, o Yes No answer 42h and attach an exhibit providing the information specified in 47 C.F.R. 25.137. as appropriate. If No, proceed to question 43. 42b. What administration has licensed or is in the process of licensing the space station? If no license will be issued, what administration has coordinated or is in the process of coordinating the space station? 43. Description. (Summarize the nature of the application and the services to be provided). (If the complete description does not appear in this box. please go to the end of the form to view it in its entirety.) Applicant seeks to modify its small-sat non-geostationary orbit Earth Exploration Satellite Service system. See Narrative in Exhibit 1 hereto. Exhibit I

43a. Geographic Service Rule Certification By selecting A, the undersigned certifies that the applicant is not subject to the geographic service or geographic coverage requirements specified in 47 C.F.R. Part 25. By selecting B, the undersigned certifies that the applicant is subject to the geographic service or geographic coverage requirements specified in 47 C.F.R. Part 25 and will comply with such requirements. OC By selecting C, the undersigned certifies that the applicant is subject to the geographic service or geographic coverage requirements specified in 47 C.F.R. Part 25 and will not comply with such requirements because it is not feasible as a technical matter to do so. or that, while technically feasible, such services would require so many compromises in satellite design and operation as to make it economically unreasonable. A narrative description and technical analysis demonstrating this claim are attached. CERTI F I CATI ON The Applicant waives any claim to the use of any particular frequency or of the electromagnetic spectrum as against the regulatory power of the United States because of the previous use of the same, whether by license or otherwise, and requests an authorization in accordance with this application. The applicant certifies that grant of this application would not cause the applicant to he in violation of the spectrum aggregation limit in 47 CFR Part 20. All statements made in exhibits are a material part hereof and are incorporated herein as if set out in full in this application. The undersigned. individually and for the applicant, hereby certifies that all statements made in this application and in all attached exhibits are true, complete and correct to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, and are made in good faith.

44. Applicant is a (an): (Choose the button next to applicable response.) o Individual 0 Unincorporated Association o Partnership 0 Corporation 0 Governmental Entity • Other (please specify) 45. Name of Person Signing 46. Title of Person Signing Nick Merski VP, Space Operations ——> WILLFUL FALSE STATEMENTS MADE ON THIS FORM ARE PUNISHABLE BY FINE AND / OR IMPRISONMENT (U.S. Code, Title I 8, Section 1001), AND/OR REVOCATION OF ANY STATION AUTHORIZATION (U.S. Code, Title 47, Section 31 2(a)( I)), AND/OR FORFEITURE (U.S. Code, Title 47, Section 503).

FCC NOTICE REQUIRED BY THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT The public reporting for this collection of infomiation is estimated to average 2 hours per response. including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the required data, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. If you have any comments on this burden estimate, or how we can improve the collection and reduce the burden it causes you, please write to the Federal Communications Commission. AMD—PERM, Paperwork Reduction Project (3060—0678), Washington, DC 20554. We will also accept your comments regarding the Paperwork Reduction Act aspects of this collection via the Internet if you send them to PRA~fcc.gov. PLEASE DO NOT SEND COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. Remember You are not required to respond to a collection of information sponsored by the Federal government, and the government may not — conduct or sponsor this collection. unless it displays a currently valid 0MB control number or if we fail to provide you with this notice. This collection has been assigned an 0MB control number of 3060—0678. THE FOREGOING NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY THE PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT OF 1995, PUBLIC LAW 104-13, OCTOBER 1, 1995, 44 U.S.C. SECTION 3507.


Document Created: 2019-05-16 16:58:26
Document Modified: 2019-05-16 16:58:26
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