Intelsat Says SpaceX Test Plan Requires More Details

SpaceX -- to be commended for providing some information about its test satellite proposal -- still needs to clarify some technical issues on potential frequency interference and collision with others' satellites, Intelsat said in a response filed Friday in file 0356-EX-PL-2015 with the FCC Office of Engineering and Technology. SpaceX plans to launch a series of test satellites starting next year in the first step to building a low earth orbit constellation to provide a global broadband service. Intelsat has an informal objection to the experimental license needed (see 1507230020). While information filed last week with the OET clears up some issues, Intelsat said, it still needs details on such issues as the transmit earth station's minimum antenna diameter and associated side-lobe pattern. Intelsat said it also had questions about how SpaceX would adjust satellite orbits to avoid close proximity to inactive space objects, what sort of back-up tracking systems the satellites would have in case the active system fails, and how long SpaceX intends to monitor its satellites.