Attachment Exhibit A

This document pretains to SAT-STA-20110422-00074 for Special Temporal Authority on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATSTA2011042200074_885292

EXHIBIT A DG Consents Sub, Inc. Request for STA April 22, 2011 Narrative Description DG Consents Sub, Inc. (“DigitalGlobe”) hereby requests special temporary authority (“STA”), to operate its QuickBird satellite at an orbit altitude of 482 kilometers for 60 days, pending submission of and Commission action on a forthcoming amendment to its pending modification of license application in File No. SAT-MOD-20101122-00243 (“Modification Application”). DigitalGlobe currently has authority to increase the orbit altitude of the QuickBird satellite from 450 kilometers to 496 kilometers under a 60-day STA prior to grant of the Modification Application. See File No. SAT-STA-20110318-00057 (granted March 21, 2011) (“March STA”). The STA DigitalGlobe proposes here, which is intended to replace the March STA, is needed because the QuickBird satellite depleted its maneuvering fuel during the orbit raise that commenced under the March STA, and will not be able to be increased in altitude above its current orbit altitude of 482 kilometers. DigitalGlobe is preparing an amendment to the Modification Application to propose operation at the new orbit altitude through the anticipated end of QuickBird’s operational mission in 2014. The forthcoming amendment to the Modification Application will provide the details of operation at the new orbit altitude, along with information requested by the Commission regarding the extent, if any, to which DigitalGlobe intends to continue radio communication with the spacecraft during its descent to and through the atmosphere following completion of its mission. The Modification Application was accepted for filing in December 2011, and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) took favorable action early last month under the applicable NOAA regulations on DigitalGlobe’s proposal for post-mission disposal of QuickBird in relation to the new orbit parameters. See Letter dated March 3, 2011, from Mary E. Kizca, Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services, NOAA, to Alison Alfers, DigitalGlobe Inc., NOAA File: DG-2010-A15. With the change in QuickBird’s operational altitude that resulted from the depletion of maneuvering fuel, DigitalGlobe requires further NOAA consideration of its post-mission disposal plans for QuickBird, and is coordinating with NOAA. Operation of QuickBird under the STA proposed here will be on a non-harmful interference basis and at DigitalGlobe’s own risk. DigitalGlobe emphasizes that the risk of interference continues to be lower at 482 kilometers than it was at the currently-licensed altitude of 450 kilometers. Because the current power levels from the spacecraft will be maintained but from a higher altitude, there will be a reduction in power flux density levels on the Earth’s surface from levels that already meet the international limits established for the 8025-8400 MHz band. All other parameters of the authorized, in-orbit satellite are unchanged. To the extent applicable, DigitalGlobe incorporates by reference all of the technical showings it made in the Modification Application (both on Form 312, Schedule S and in Exhibit 43), and confirms that

operation under this STA will not vary from what it proposed there (other than for the orbit altitude). The public interest will be advanced by extension of the life of QuickBird and continued provision of the services that DigitalGlobe has provided over QuickBird since 2001. For these reasons, DigitalGlobe respectfully requests special temporary authority to operate QuickBird at its new altitude of 482 kilometers pending amendment of, and action upon, the Modification Application in File No. SAT-MOD-20101122-00243. DigitalGlobe requests action on or before May 21, 2011 (the expiration date of the March STA), and asks that the STA requested here replace the March STA and run until the earlier of 60 days or when the Modification Application is granted. 2


Document Created: 2011-04-22 16:33:05
Document Modified: 2011-04-22 16:33:05
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