Attachment Exhibit A

This document pretains to SAT-STA-20110913-00179 for Special Temporal Authority on a Satellite Space Stations filing.

IBFS_SATSTA2011091300179_916492

EXHIBIT A DG Consents Sub, Inc. Request for STA September 2011 Narrative Description DG Consents Sub, Inc. (“DigitalGlobe”) hereby requests a 60-day extension of the special temporary authority (“STA”) in File No. SAT-STA-20110719-00131 (“July STA”) to operate its QuickBird satellite in an orbit that is at variance with the authorized orbit, pending Commission action on DigitalGlobe’s pending modification of license application in File No. SAT-MOD-20101122-00243 (“Modification Application”), as amended in File No. SAT-AMD- 20110829-00168 (“August 2011 Amendment”). DigitalGlobe was first granted authority to operate the QuickBird satellite at a peak orbit altitude of 482 kilometers in April, after the QuickBird satellite depleted its maneuvering fuel during a previously-authorized orbit raise, and the temporary authorization was extended for an additional 60 days in the July STA. At that point, DigitalGlobe had not yet amended its pending modification application to address a question posed by Commission staff and reflect new orbital parameters following the depletion of maneuvering fuel on the QuickBird satellite. On August 29, DigitalGlobe amended the Modification Application with the August 2011 Amendment, which provided details of QuickBird’s orbit and spectrum use through the anticipated end of QuickBird’s operational mission in 2014. The August 2011 Amendment also included information requested by the Commission regarding the extent to which DigitalGlobe intends to continue radio communication with the spacecraft during its descent to the atmosphere as it completes its mission. The Modification Application, as now amended, remains pending before the Commission. DigitalGlobe seeks to operate the satellite in the manner proposed in the now-amended Modification Application. DigitalGlobe incorporates by reference and reiterates the status of discussions with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”), which took favorable action in March 2011 on DigitalGlobe’s proposal for post-mission disposal of QuickBird that encompasses the new orbit parameters. See July STA, at Exhibit A (referring to discussion in initial April 2011 STA request). DigitalGlobe has notified NOAA of the new peak orbit, and has determined that a revision to the de-orbiting/post-mission disposal plan approved in March is not required. DigitalGlobe acknowledges that operation of QuickBird under the STA extension requested here will continue to be on a non-harmful interference basis and at DigitalGlobe’s own risk. At all times during the term of the STA requested here, QuickBird will be in full compliance with the international power flux-density limits that apply to QuickBird operations in the 8025-8400 MHz band. DigitalGlobe reiterates that all of the technical showings and statements from the July STA remain applicable. Moreover, all technical statements from the August 2011 Amendment remain applicable as well.

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 that the April STA be extended for 60 days – i.e., until November 18, 2011. 2


Document Created: 2011-09-13 12:52:01
Document Modified: 2011-09-13 12:52:01
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