Letter cross referen

NOTICE submitted by Globalstar, Inc.

Notification of Repositioning of Satellites

2017-01-12

This document pretains to SES-MFS-20091221-01609 for Modification w/ Foreign Satellite (earth station) on a Satellite Earth Station filing.

IBFS_SESMFS2009122101609_1164689

                       LAWLER, METZGER, KEENEY & LOGAN, LLC

                                          1717 K STREET, NW
                                              SUITE 1075
                                        WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006
STEPHEN J. BERMAN                                                             PHONE (202) 777-7700
PHONE (202) 777-7730                                                       FACSIMILE (202) 777-7763


                                      January 12, 2017



Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary
Federal Communications Commission
445 Twelfth Street SW
Washington, DC 20554

         Re:      Notification of Repositioning of NGSO Space Stations

Dear Ms. Dortch:

         Globalstar, Inc., and its subsidiaries GUSA Licensee LLC and GCL Licensee
LLC (together, “Globalstar”), pursuant to 47 C.F.R. § 25.118(f), have notified the Federal
Communications Commission (“Commission”) of orbital adjustments to the non-
geostationary mobile satellite service space stations in Globalstar’s second-generation
Big LEO satellite constellation licensed by the French Republic. In March 2011, the
Commission authorized Globalstar’s U.S. gateway earth station facilities and mobile
earth terminals to communicate with its French-licensed second-generation Big LEO
satellites.1

        GUSA Licensee LLC holds licenses for Globalstar’s earth station gateways
located in the continental United States and Alaska and a blanket license for the operation
of Globalstar mobile earth station terminals in the United States, and GCL Licensee LLC
holds licenses for Globalstar’s earth station gateway located in Puerto Rico. Under the
Commission’s rules and policies, foreign-licensed satellite operators offering service in
the United States through Commission-granted earth station authority are required to
provide the same technical information regarding satellite system operations as U.S.-
licensed space station operators.

        Pursuant to the Commission’s guidance, Globalstar has filed one full notification
for each of these licensee entities, and submits this letter to cross-reference the
notifications for the remaining license files.



1
         See Globalstar Licensee LLC, Order, 26 FCC Rcd 3948 (2011).


Marlene H. Dortch
January 12, 2017
Page 2



         An FCC Form 312, the attached narrative description, and an accompanying
Schedule S were filed on January 12, 2017, for each licensee. Although beam
assignments, feeder link sub-band assignments, beam contour plots, and link budgets are
not affected by the planned orbital adjustments, Globalstar is including in its notification
all relevant technical information for the Schedule S, including those specifications that
have not changed, in light of the recent introduction of new Schedule S software.

       The Forms 312 are filed for the following Earth Station call signs:

          GUSA Licensee LLC – Earth Station License E970199 – IBFS File No. SES-
           MOD-20170112-00029; and
          GCL Licensee LLC– Earth Station License E990337 – IBFS File No. SES-
           MOD-20170112-00030.

       This letter provides notice with respect to the remaining Earth Station call signs:

          GUSA Licensee LLC – Earth Station Licenses E970381, E030266, E050098,
           E050100, E050099, E050346, E050345, E050347, E050097, E000345,
           E000344, E000343, and E000342; and

          GCL Licensee LLC – Earth Station Licenses E990335, E990336, and
           E050237.

       If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned.

                                      Sincerely,


                                      /s/ Stephen J. Berman
                                      Stephen J. Berman
                                      Counsel to Globalstar

Attachment


         NOTIFICATION OF REPOSITIONING OF NGSO SPACE STATIONS

         Globalstar, Inc., and its subsidiaries GUSA Licensee LLC and GCL Licensee LLC
(together “Globalstar”),1 pursuant to Section 25.118(f) of the Federal Communications
Commission’s (“Commission’s”) rules,2 hereby notify the Commission of orbital adjustments to
the non-geostationary mobile satellite service (“NGSO MSS”) space stations in Globalstar’s Big
LEO MSS constellation. Adjustments to the phasing of Globalstar’s Big LEO satellites will
optimize the use of its orbital assets and enhance the quality of its safety-of-life services to
consumers, public safety personnel, and other customers in the United States and elsewhere. As
described below, attached to this notification are exhibits containing revised technical parameters
for its NGSO constellation and the certifications required by Section 25.118(f).

         Globalstar and Its MSS Constellation. Globalstar is a leading provider of global mobile
satellite voice and data services. On January 31, 1995, the Commission authorized Globalstar to
construct, launch, and operate a “Big LEO” MSS system, and Globalstar initiated commercial
service in 2000.3 Globalstar is licensed for uplink transmissions (mobile earth stations to
satellites) in the Lower Big LEO band at 1610-1618.725 MHz, and for downlink transmissions
(satellites to mobile earth stations) in the Upper Big LEO band at 2483.5-2500 MHz.4 Having
invested over $5 billion to develop its global NGSO MSS network, Globalstar today uses its
constellation of satellites and 24 ground stations on six continents to provide affordable, high-
quality MSS to approximately 694,000 customers in over 120 countries around the world.
Globalstar is dedicated to providing mission-critical, emergency, and safety-of-life satellite
services to consumers, public safety personnel, businesses, and other customers in remote,
unserved, and underserved areas not reached by terrestrial deployments.

       Globalstar’s global MSS constellation consists of first-generation Big LEO satellites
licensed by the Commission and second-generation space stations licensed by the Republic of

1
        GUSA Licensee LLC holds licenses for Globalstar’s earth station gateways located in the
continental United States and Alaska and a blanket license for the operation of Globalstar mobile
earth station terminals in the United States, and is responsible for the provision of Globalstar
MSS services to end users in the United States. GCL Licensee LLC holds licenses for
Globalstar’s earth station gateway located in Puerto Rico. Another affiliated company,
Globalstar Licensee LLC, is the authorized licensee of the first-generation Globalstar satellite
constellation (call sign S2115).
2
       47 C.F.R. § 25.118(f).
3
        Application of Loral/Qualcomm Partnership, L.P. For Authority to Construct, Launch,
and Operate Globalstar, a Low Earth Orbit Satellite System to Provide Mobile Satellite Services
in the 1610-1626.5 MHz/2483.5-2500 MHz Bands, Order and Authorization, 10 FCC Rcd 2333
(1995); see also Spectrum and Service Rules for Ancillary Terrestrial Components in the 1.6/2.4
GHz Big LEO Bands; Review of the Spectrum Sharing Plan Among Non-Geostationary Satellite
Orbit Mobile Satellite Service Systems in the 1.6/2.4 GHz Bands, Second Order on
Reconsideration, Second Report and Order, and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, 22 FCC Rcd
19733, ¶¶ 8, 18-20 (2007).
4
       Iridium is authorized to share spectrum with Globalstar at 1617.775-1618.725 MHz.


France. Globalstar launched the majority of its first-generation Big LEO satellites in the late
1990s, and then deployed eight additional first-generation satellites in 2007. Globalstar launched
its second-generation Big LEO satellites in a series of launches from October 2010 to February
2013, and all 24 of these satellites are now in service.5 In March 2011, the Commission issued
an order authorizing Globalstar’s U.S. gateway earth station facilities and mobile earth terminals
to communicate with its French-licensed second-generation Big LEO satellites.6

        In the March 2011 Modification Order, the Commission permitted Globalstar to make
the modifications necessary to operate a balanced 32-satellite Walker configuration over 8 orbital
planes, utilizing Globalstar’s 24 second-generation satellites and 8 first-generation satellites.7
The Commission also authorized Globalstar to operate a separate 16-satellite Walker
configuration consisting entirely of its first-generation satellites, primarily for use in providing
simplex services.8 In the years since that modification order and the completion of its second-
generation deployment, Globalstar has retired a number of first-generation satellites at the end of
their useful lives, in accordance with its approved orbital debris mitigation plan.9




5
        See Press Release, Globalstar, Inc., Mission Accomplished! Globalstar Announces
Successful Fourth Launch of Six Second-Generation Satellites (Feb. 6, 2013),
http://www.globalstar.com/en/index.php?cid=7010&pressId=764.
6
        Globalstar Licensee LLC; Application for Modification of Non-geostationary Mobile
Satellite Service Space Station License; GUSA Licensee LLC; Applications for Modification of
Mobile Satellite Service Earth Station Licenses; GCL Licensee LLC; Applications for
Modification of Mobile Satellite Service Earth Station Licenses, Order, 26 FCC Rcd 3948 (2011)
(“March 2011 Modification Order”). Under the Commission’s rules and policies, foreign-
licensed satellite operators offering service in the United States through Commission-granted
earth station authority are required to provide the same technical information regarding satellite
system operations as U.S.-licensed space station operators. Accordingly, Globalstar submits the
instant notification for earth station licensees GUSA Licensee LLC and GCL Licensee LLC, the
entities authorized to communicate with Globalstar’s second-generation satellites. (Globalstar is
submitting the full notification in one lead file for GUSA Licensee LLC and GCL Licensee LLC,
and a brief letter cross-referencing this notification in all other license files.) See Amendment of
the Commission’s Regulatory Policies to Allow Non-U.S. Licensed Space Stations to Provide
Domestic and International Satellite Service in the United States, Report and Order, 12 FCC Rcd
24094, ¶¶ 189-192 (1997); Amendment of the Commission’s Space Station Licensing Rules and
Policies, First Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in IB Docket No.
02-34, and First Report and Order in IB Docket No. 02-54, 18 FCC Rcd 10760, ¶¶ 300-302
(2003).
7
       March 2011 Modification Order ¶¶ 7, 35.
8
       Id.
9
       The current operational status of Globalstar’s first-generation satellites is further
described in its most recent annual satellite report. See Letter from Stephen J. Berman, Counsel
to Globalstar, to Mindel De La Torre, Chief, International Bureau, FCC (June 30, 2016).

                                                 2


        Description of Repositioning. In order to optimize its orbital assets, Globalstar plans to
transition to a balanced 24-satellite Walker configuration operating over eight orbital planes,
utilizing all of its second-generation satellites. Globalstar will continue to operate its eight
remaining first-generation satellites in their current orbital configurations. These orbital
adjustments to Globalstar’s NGSO satellites will enhance its global MSS coverage and improve
the quality of its services to MSS subscribers in the United States and around the world, without
increasing the risk of collisions or interference to other systems.

        Over a transition of approximately eleven weeks, Globalstar will adjust the phasing of its
second-generation satellites within these satellites’ previously authorized orbital planes.
Globalstar will execute these orbital adjustments while complying with the Commission’s rules,
avoiding in-orbit collisions, and maintaining quality of service for its customers. (Globalstar
provides all required certifications in attached Exhibit A.) Globalstar plans to initiate this
repositioning process for its NGSO MSS space stations on or shortly after January 22, 2017.10
Following these orbital adjustments, all remaining MSS satellites in Globalstar’s constellations
will contain sufficient fuel to complete their useful lives and be de-orbited in a manner consistent
with applicable orbital debris mitigation requirements.11

         Globalstar’s orbital adjustments to its NGSO space station fleet will not affect the RF
parameters of its individual satellites. Globalstar’s second-generation satellites and remaining
first-generation satellites will continue to conform to the RF parameters described by Globalstar
in its applications and subsequently approved by the Commission.12 These orbital adjustments
will, however, change slightly the overall geographic “footprint” of Globalstar’s MSS
constellation. At Exhibit B to this notification, Globalstar depicts the second-generation satellite
constellation “footprint” to demonstrate typical service coverage for the revised constellation as a



10
        With the submission of this notification, Globalstar has complied with the requirement in
Section 25.118(f) that it notify the Commission regarding this repositioning at least 10 days prior
to the beginning of that repositioning process.
11
        Globalstar’s first-generation satellites will be de-orbited in a manner consistent with the
orbital debris mitigation plan approved by the Commission in 2005 (see Stamp Grant, SAT-
MOD-20030606-00098 and SAT-AMD-20050105-00003 (granted Jan. 28, 2005)), while the de-
orbiting of Globalstar’s second-generation satellites will occur in a manner consistent with
French Space Operations law and associated technical regulations (see March 2011 Modification
Order ¶¶ 30-32).
12
       See Loral/Qualcomm Partnership, L.P. For Authority to Construct, Launch, and Operate
Globalstar, a Low Earth Orbit Satellite System to Provide Mobile Satellite Services in the 1610-
1626.5 MHz/2483.5-2500 MHz Bands, Order and Authorization, 10 FCC Rcd 2333 (1995)
(approving technical parameters for Globalstar’s first-generation satellites); Call Sign S2115,
File No. SAT-MOD-20030606-00098; Public Notice, DA No. 05-316 (Feb. 4, 2005) (approving
modified technical parameters for Globalstar’s first-generation satellites); March 2011
Modification Order (approving technical and operational parameters for Globalstar’s second-
generation satellites).

                                                 3


whole. In addition, Globalstar includes with this notification a revised Form 312 Schedule S that
presents the updated orbital parameters of Globalstar’s Big LEO MSS constellation.13

        Required Certifications Under Section 25.118(f). In Exhibit A to this notification,
Globalstar provides the certifications required by Section 25.118(f) of the Commission’s rules
for orbital adjustments to its NGSO space stations.

       Conclusion. Globalstar hereby notifies the Commission regarding the planned orbital
adjustments to its NGSO space stations. These orbital adjustments will optimize the use of
Globalstar’s orbital assets and the quality of its safety-of-life services to consumers, public safety
personnel, and other customers inside and outside the United States.




13
       The beam assignments, feeder link sub-band assignments, beam contour plots, and link
budgets for Globalstar’s second-generation satellites are not affected by the planned orbital
adjustments. Due to the recent introduction of the Commission’s new Schedule S software,
however, Globalstar is including the relevant information on these unchanged technical
parameters – in addition to the required information on the revised technical parameters – so that
Globalstar’s Schedule S will be complete in the new software. Globalstar previously provided
information on these unchanged technical parameters in Exhibits 1-3 and Schedule S to its 2008
second-generation application. See Modification Application of Globalstar Licensee, FCC File
No. SAT-MOD-20080904-00165 (filed Sept. 4, 2008, granted March 18, 2011) (“Space Station
Modification Application”); see also SAT-AMD-20091221-00147 (granted March 18, 2011);
SAT-MOD-20130314-00030 (granted Sept. 18, 2014).)
                                                  4


EXHIBIT A


               REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS UNDER SECTION 25.118(f)


        Globalstar, Inc., and its subsidiaries GUSA Licensee LLC and GCL Licensee LLC
(together “Globalstar”) hereby provide the following certifications required by Section 25.118(f)
of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R. § 25.118(f), for the notification of orbital adjustments to
Globalstar’s NGSO space stations:

   Compliance with all license conditions and applicable rules. Globalstar certifies that it will
    continue to comply with the conditions of its licenses and all applicable Commission rules
    after the orbital adjustments.

   Compliance with geographic coverage requirement, specifically. Globalstar certifies that,
    after the orbital adjustments, its NGSO system will be capable of providing MSS (i) to all
    locations as far north as 70º North latitude and as far south as 55º South latitude for at least
    75 percent of every 24-hour period, and (ii) on a continuous basis throughout the fifty states,
    Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, in accordance with the requirements of Section
    25.143(b)(2) of the Commission’s rules.1

   Compliance with power flux density requirement, specifically. Globalstar certifies that,
    following the orbital adjustments to its space stations, its MSS constellation will comply with
    the same power flux density (“pfd”) levels within each geographic coverage area as those
    applicable to its first-generation constellation. Specifically, power into the individual
    downlink beams of the Globalstar system will be controlled to be consistent with the Upper
    Big LEO band pfd requirements at the Earth's surface. The Upper Big LEO band pfd at the
    Earth's surface will be generally below the approved coordination threshold levels approved
    at WRC-95 (Res. 46 (Rev. WRC-95) A2.1.2.3.1). The 7 GHz C-band feeder downlink pfd at
    the Earth's surface for each sub-band will be nominally -155 dBW/m2/4 kHz for high
    elevation angles and will decrease linearly as the elevation angle decreases, consistent with
    the limits specified by the ITU and section 25.208(n) of the Commission’s rules, 47 C.F.R.
    § 25.208(n), with substantial margins.2

   No Increased Risk of Harmful Interference. Globalstar certifies that the orbital adjustments
    to its NGSO satellites will not increase the risk of harmful interference to other systems that
    is not permitted by coordination agreements.

   No Request for Increased Interference Protection. Globalstar certifies that it will not request
    increased interference protection because of the orbital adjustments to its NGSO satellites.


1
       47 C.F.R. 25.143(b)(2)(ii), (iii).
2
       See Loral/Qualcomm Licensee, Inc., Application for Modification to Order and
Authorization for Globalstar, FCC File Nos. 19-DSS-P-91(48) and CSS-91-014 (filed Mar. 7,
1996) at Section 3 “WRC-95 p.f.d. Levels.”


   Monitoring of Collision Risk. Globalstar certifies that it will monitor collision risk during the
    orbital adjustments and take any necessary evasive measures.

   Change of Orbital Altitude. Globalstar certifies that any change of orbital altitude entailed
    by the orbital adjustments will not exceed 10 kilometers in extent or 30 days in duration, and
    that it has notified, or will notify, the operator(s) of any satellite within 20 kilometers of the
    interim orbit at least 10 days before commencing any orbital adjustments.

       Under penalty of perjury, I hereby provide the above certifications and declare that the
the engineering statements made therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge.


                                       /s/ Tom Nowitzky
                                       Tom Nowitzky
                                       Director of Satellite Engineering
                                       Globalstar, Inc.


Dated: January 12, 2017




                                                  2


EXHIBIT B


Representative Satellite Footprint with user elevation mask at 5 degrees above the
horizon:


Representative 24-Satellite Constellation Footprint with user elevation mask at 5 degrees
above the horizon:



Document Created: 2017-01-12 17:22:39
Document Modified: 2017-01-12 17:22:39

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