SpaceX License Modification OK'd -- With FCC Conditions

Approval on circulation Monday of SpaceX's pending license modification for relocating more than 2,800 planned satellites to a lower orbit has conditions limiting its use of the 12 GHz band and on spectrum sharing, parties involved in the proceeding said in interviews. The license mod had gotten heavy opposition from other satellite companies. Parties told us litigation challenging the approval is a strong possibility.

The order limits SpaceX to operating in the 12 GHz band without using more than one satellite beam in the same frequency in the same area at a time, we were told. The company voluntarily conceded earlier this month it would do so for the 19.7-20.2 GHz band downlinks. The order said approval is contingent on the outcome of the pending 12 GHz proceeding, we were told. Such an item was circulated April 16, the FCC's circulates list shows.

Asked about the details now, the FCC said the adopted order "would grant SpaceX’s modification request subject to conditions on how SpaceX will operate the modified system and to ensure SpaceX’s implementation of space safety measures, among others." The company didn't comment.

We were told the SpaceX approval includes language indicating it's subject to terms of the pending orbital debris rulemaking and has language on spectrum sharing. The adopted item wasn't released Monday.