SpaceX Eyes E-Band Use for First-Gen Starlinks

SpaceX is seeking FCC OK to significantly rejigger the configuration of its first-generation Starlink satellites. In a Space Bureau application submitted Friday, the company said it wanted to boost the number of planes and satellites per plane for the approved 4,408 first-gen satellites. It added that the new configuration would let it more efficiently deploy broadband coverage and capacity to meet customer demand.

SpaceX also asked for FCC sign-off on its first-gen satellites using the 71-76 GHz band for downlinks and 81-86 GHz band for uplinks. The 5 GHz of contiguous spectrum in each direction, plus the use of "narrow 'pencil beam' transmissions" results in "the best of both worlds: very high-capacity data transmission and a low risk of harmful interference between users, even in close physical proximity." The company said its use of the E band on its second-generation Starlinks for more than two years has resulted in no interference complaints from commercial or federal users.

SpaceX also requested a waiver of equivalent density power flux limits on its first-generation satellites. The FCC commissioners in April adopted an NPRM looking at changes to the EPFD limits (see 2504280038).